FEAR IN THE NIGHT (1972)

3 stars

StudioCanal. 4K UHD/Blu ray. 23rd March

Peggy (Judy Geeson) is excitedly packing as she is soon going to join her husband Robert (Ralph Bates) at his job as a schoolmaster at a remote school, run by Michael Carmichael (Peter Cushing). Something of a nervy type, that evening she claims that she was attacked by a strange black gloved man with a prosthetic arm – but there seems to be no evidence that this actually happened and it was likely all in her mind. We learn later that she has recently had a nervous breakdown.

After a brief stop at a grey and miserable service station (this was the 70s where the height of excitement at such establishments was a rack of LPs), the couple settle in at the small cottage, situated near the school, which comes as part of Robert’s job.

Odd things start to happen, especially as Peggy is often left on her own. Wandering around the school, she hears chanting of schoolboys from one of the classrooms but there are no pupils in there. She meets Carmichael, who is at once both charming and somewhat creepy – and more importantly has a false arm. It isn’t long before she is apparently terrorised by the mysterious one-armed assailant again. She also has dealings with the headmaster’s bitchy wife Molly (Joan Collins, trying out a persona she will hone to perfection in the soap opera DYNASTY some years later). Is Peggy imagining things or is something more sinister going-on? I am sure you can work it out…

This was a late in the day dip into psychological thriller for Hammer, with frequent scripter Jimmy Sangster, penning the screenplay (with Michael Syson), whilst also helming the film. This was his third and final directorial outing for Hammer having also been responsible for THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (1970) and LUST FOR A VAMPIRE (1971). Both of these had also starred Bates, who Hammer tried to groom into a star in the mould of Lee and Cushing. This was in fact his last appearance under their banner. Geeson captures the anxiousness and vulnerability of her character well and Cushing is his usual reliable self. Overall this is a minor effort but quite effective if wholly predictable.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

“The Fragile Mind”: Kim Newman Explores Fear in the Night

Two audio Commentaries: with Co-writer/Producer/Director Jimmy Sangster and Hammer Film Historian Marcus Hearn; with Film Historian Troy Howarth

“End of Term”: Inside Fear in the Night

Stills Gallery and Theatrical Trailer

Plus 64 page perfect bound booklet and two posters