Production Year: 1972 - Thriller - Director: Alfred Hitchcock - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Jon Finch, Alec McCowen, Barry Foster, Billie Whitelaw, Anna Massey, Barbara Leigh Hunt, Bernard Cribbins, Vivien Merchant more
FRENZY was Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film--and the first film he'd made in England in 20 years. Based on an Arthur La Bern novel, the film focuses on many of the same motifs... more
Frenzy [DVD] [1972]
By the time Alfred Hitchcock's second-to-last picture came out in 1972, the censorship ... more
restrictions under which he had laboured during his long career had eased up. Now he could give full sway to his lurid fantasies, and that may explain whyFrenzyis th...
Frenzy [DVD] [1972]
By the time Alfred Hitchcock's second-to-last picture came out in 1972, the censorship ... more
restrictions under which he had laboured during his long career had eased up. Now he could give full sway to his lurid fantasies, and that may explain whyFrenzyis th...
Frenzy (Hitchcock) DVD
Digitally Remastered. In modern-day London a sex criminal known as the Necktie Murderer ... more
has the police on alert and in typical Hitchcock fashion their trail is leading to an innocent man who must now elude the law and prove his innocence by findin...
restrictions under which he had laboured during his long career had eased up. Now he could give full sway to his lurid fantasies, and that may explain whyFrenzyis the director's most violent movie by far--outstripping evenPsychofor sheer brutality. Adapted by playwright Anthony Shaffer, the story concerns a series of rape-murders committed by suave fruit-merchant Bob Rusk (Barry Foster), who gets his kicks from throttling women with a necktie. This being a Hitchcock thriller, suspicion naturally falls on the wrong man--ill-tempered publican Richard Blaney (Jon Finch). Enter Inspector Oxford from New Scotland Yard (Alex McCowan), who thrashes out the finer points of the case with his wife (Vivian Merchant), whose tireless enthusiasm for indigestible delicacies like quail with grapes supplies a classic running gag.Frenzywas the first film Hitchcock had shot entirely in his native Britain sinceJamaica Inn(1939), and many contemporary critics used that fact to account for what seemed to them a glorious return to form after a string of Hollywood duds (Marnie,Torn Curtain,Topaz). Hitchcock specialists are often less wild about it, judging the detective plot mechanical and the oh-so-English tone insufferable. But at least three sequences rank among the most skin-crawling the maestro ever put on celluloid. There is an astonishing moment when the camera backs away from a room in which a murder is occurring, down the stairs, through the front door and then across the street to join the crowd milling indifferently on the pavement. There is also the killer's nerve-wracking attempt to retrieve his tiepin from a corpse stuffed into a sack of potatoes. Finally, there is one act of strangulation so prolonged and gruesome it verges on the pornographic. Was the veteran film-maker a rampant misogynist as feminist observers have frequently charged? Sit through this appalling scene if you dare and decide for yourself. --Peter Matthews
restrictions under which he had laboured during his long career had eased up. Now he could give full sway to his lurid fantasies, and that may explain whyFrenzyis the director's most violent movie by far--outstripping evenPsychofor sheer brutality. Adapted by playwright Anthony Shaffer, the story concerns a series of rape-murders committed by suave fruit-merchant Bob Rusk (Barry Foster), who gets his kicks from throttling women with a necktie. This being a Hitchcock thriller, suspicion naturally falls on the wrong man--ill-tempered publican Richard Blaney (Jon Finch). Enter Inspector Oxford from New Scotland Yard (Alex McCowan), who thrashes out the finer points of the case with his wife (Vivian Merchant), whose tireless enthusiasm for indigestible delicacies like quail with grapes supplies a classic running gag.Frenzywas the first film Hitchcock had shot entirely in his native Britain sinceJamaica Inn(1939), and many contemporary critics used that fact to account for what seemed to them a glorious return to form after a string of Hollywood duds (Marnie,Torn Curtain,Topaz). Hitchcock specialists are often less wild about it, judging the detective plot mechanical and the oh-so-English tone insufferable. But at least three sequences rank among the most skin-crawling the maestro ever put on celluloid. There is an astonishing moment when the camera backs away from a room in which a murder is occurring, down the stairs, through the front door and then across the street to join the crowd milling indifferently on the pavement. There is also the killer's nerve-wracking attempt to retrieve his tiepin from a corpse stuffed into a sack of potatoes. Finally, there is one actof strangulation so prolonged and gruesome it verges on the pornographic. Was the veteran film-maker a rampant misogynist as feminist observers have frequently charged? Sit through this appalling scene if you dare and decide for yourself. --Peter Matthews
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
This product has not yet been reviewed. Rate it now
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
This product has not yet been reviewed. Rate it now
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Matt Dillon - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matt Dillon, James Caan, Natascha McElhone, Gerard Depardieu, Sereyvuth Kem, Stellan Skarsgard
A review by dadmancat on Frenzy (DVD) April 7th, 2003
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Splendid return to form for Hitchcock
Disadvantages:
Occasionally feels like a film out of step with the 70's
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Since 1969 Hitchcock had been in the relative wilderness, attempting to launch new projects without much success. 'Marnie', 'Torn Curtain' and 'Topaz' had all failed to ring at the box office and more significantly with the critics, 1972 saw Hitchcock return to England, and embark on a low key thriller for Universal.
Adapted from Arthur La Berns novel 'Goodbye Picadilly, Farewell Leicester Square', 'Frenzy' is one of Hitchocks most engaging fims, and with it most neglected. Stuck away at the tail end of his career, before the cheap and reasonably cheerful 'Family Plot', it boasts no star names, no scenic locations, no fantastic action sequences. It is however a tight and taut thriller, mean to the core with the only comedy to be found in a rather black way. A cold and cynical glimpse into the human condition, and the corruption of men.
Much of 'Frenzy's success stems from the screenplay of Anthony Shaffer, with Hitch occasionally rediscovering the flourishes and flair that he brought to earlier works. On the whole though, there is little for Hitch to embellish with his directorial skills, an unremittingly grim tale which follows the trail of bodies left by a serial killer in the centre of London. The script is a delight, and the low key but familiar cast perform it well, a rather different variant on Hitch's innocent-in-peril. Here the innocent is not so clean cut, and many of the characters in the story have little in the way of redeeming qualities. That we root and feel sympathy for the 'hero' is testament to the writing of Shaffer, and acting of Barry Foster, as the villain.
The story concerns the growing list of corpses attributed to the Neck-Tie Murderer, a serial killer spreading fear throughout London. After raping his victims, the killer then strangles them with a tie, before disposing of the bodies about the capital, and as the film opens, a body washes up on the shores of the embankment, tie about it's neck.
Richard Blaney, former RAF pilot, has landed on hard times. Divorced, penniless through failed ventures, and working part time behind a bar, he is running out of favours. Through a misunderstanding he loses his bar job, and finds that his only option left is to visit his ex-wife and ask for financial help. His wife now runs a successful dating agency, and Blaney struggles not be resentful. His temper never was his strong point, and for a swift divorce, it was agreed to cite physical and mental abuse on the papers.
He dines with ex-wife Brenda, and she gives him money to keep his head above water. He returns to visit Brenda the next day after spending the night under the hospitality of the Salvation Army. Her secretary witnesses him arrive before she leaves for lunch. On her return, Brenda lies dead, raped, strangled, and necktie hanging from about her throat. The finger of suspicion points firmly at Richard Blaney, but perhaps the Police may find their efforts better served looing through the files of men on the dating agencys' books.
Unwittingly, every movement and action of the previous 2 days has linked Blaney with his wifes death. Traces of her makeup on the notes he was given, his temper, the list of coincidences is endless. The only person who believes his innocence as he attempts to escape police capture is his mate Bob Rusk. Good old Bob will make sure 'Dick' is okay, and he will look after Blaneys girlfriend Babs too. He will take good care of her. After all, Bob likes women, so much so that he signed onto the books of a dating agency...
'Frenzy' has a genuine nailbiting tension that runs from start to finish. Each turn of the screw is entirely predictable, and all the more thrilling for it. You witness each mistake and bad move that Blaney makes, while all the time watching the sly Rusk distancing himself from the events. Hitchcock directs well, even if it does seem that he is a little ill at ease with the new decade. Occasionally the film feels more 50's than 70's in tone, and a few of the plot contrivances belong to a more naive era, but for the majority of it's 116 minutes, it's splendid stuff.
Using great locations around the capital, Hitch gives us a bustling, hustling London free of red buses, Beefeaters and shots of over familiar landmarks. We witness a working city, where everyone is too busy to notice a girl disappearing here, and the erratic behaviour of one man amongst a sea of faces. The set pieces are vintage Hitchcock, and although the rape and murder of Blaney's ex-wife lingers onscreen a little too long, it is well staged and paints a horrifying portrait of the act of rape. A later sequence of great ingenuity follows the attempts of Rusk to recover a vital tie pin from the grasp of a dead victim. Classic Hitchcock. The suspense is unbearable.
The cast is a delight. Jon Finch gives a very good performance as Dick Blaney, a man prone to swings of mood, and never quite on an even keel, and from time to time we question his innocence. Barry Foster is the obseqious Bob Rusk, all smiles and charm, with a cold heart and twisted mind beneath the facade. Foster is at his best when Rusk is at his worst and gives a chilling account of a man completely out of control. Anna Massey contributes by making Babs one of the few likeable leads in 'Frenzy', and further down the cast list you will spot the likes of Billie Whitelaw, Clive Swift, Jean Marsh, Bernard Cribbings and Barbara Leigh-Hunt. Special mention though to Alec McCowen as long suffering Det. Inspector Oxford, head of the murder enquiry. The films only light touches come courtesy of Oxford and his musings on the case to his endearingly dotty wife. She is attending haute cuisine night classes, and at the end of each gruelling day of investigation he must endure further horrors at the hands of his wifes cooking.
Shot in a realistic fashion, with little gloss, and making use of Syd Cains (veteran of many Bond outings) functional interiors, and Gilbert Taylors economic lighting, 'Frenzy' sometimes feels too close to home for comfort. Serial Killers are far less threatening in glossy movies, with stunning locations, tanned blonde victims and a pounding rock score. When they are very ordinary people preying on the very ordinary person next door, shot in a documentary style, in recognisable places, that is when things get a little uncomfortable.
Ron Goodwin provides a great score, opening with a patriotic optimistic theme, which accompanies a single take aerial sequence where we slowly descend upon London, at it's best when accompanying the movements of Rusk in a dark and deserted London. Ron Goodwin was brought to the project to replace Henry Mancini, who Hitchcock felt was too eager to replicate the music of Bernard Herrmann. Search out Mancinis lost cues though and you will find a wonderfully sinister take on 'Frenzy'.
Ocassionally static, sometimes stilted, yes 'Frenzy' is a little anachronistic, but push to one side any minor quibbles with Hitchcocks penultimate feature and enjoy for what it is, a rollercoasting, nailbiting return to form for the master of suspense.
'Frenzy' is about to be reissued on DVD after a 2 year absence. The picture is a nice anormorphic transfer, sound arrives via a digital mono track. Packaging is okay, and it boasts an interesting 30 minute 'making of'.
This is one of Hitchcock’s more modern efforts made in 1972.
The film is set in London and is concerned with the exploits of a serial murderer. This guy, Twiss, is played by Barry Foster (he of Van der Valk fame).
Twiss is the ‘Necktie Murderer’ (he always strangles his victims with a tie) but the main character in the film played by John Finch manages to get arrested and sent down for the murders. Both his ex-wife and his girlfriend ... ...to the crimes.
Finch manages to get himself out of prison by first throwing himself down the stairs in the prison and getting himself admitted to hospital. When he escapes, posing as a doctor, he goes in search of Twiss, having figured out that he is in fact the real culprit.
Anyway……..when he gets around to Twiss’ flat he discovers another cadavre. The police who have been watching Twiss (on a hunch) burst in to find him with ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Relive the Excitment again and again and again Disadvantages: No extra as stated on the dvd
...from start to finish, an in my opinion Stevie G's 30 yarder was the best goal of the game.
The layout of the DVD is superb. If you don't want to watch the full-length game for the 56th time (okay I'm exaggerating, it's only about ten) then you can pick from any of the 12 starting positions from the title screen. You can choose any of the goals - there are plenty of them, pre match build up, post match reactions, celebrations and more. Also included are the all important match line-ups and statistic, quite funny really, we only had 39% possession and still scored 5 goals.
I did find one let down with the DVD. It boasts of special features, which include player cams, player statistics, goal frenzy and under 21 highlights. I have been through this DVD from start to finish, in and out of every menu, but I am yet to find any of these...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: The whole clan together on stage! Disadvantages: I wasn't there!!!!!!!!
.../Hip Hop fans as it contains 32 of the Wu's great tracks and undoubtedly great tracks in Hip Hop History. I may have not been in California back in August 2004 but with the volume up loud enough on the speakers and the DVD playing through the widescreen I felt as though I was there.
The beauty of this DVD is that you have the option to play in concert mode(as if you were there) or to play in story mode (where you get loads of bonus footage of the Clans members in interviews). Special features are limited with only 2 videos from their tracks but who needs special features when you have nearly 2 hours of gritty classic hip hop..
With so many tracks on this DVD there is something for every hip hop fan. New and old mixed in well to drive the crowd into a frenzy! Classics such as Reunited, from their album Wu-Tang 4 ever, Triumph, Bring...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Its England winning in Germany 5-1 Disadvantages: Not every performance is like this
...match interviews.
For the lazy fan there is also a feature called "Goal Frenzy" which allows you to just watch the goals.
Finally the DVD includes highlights of the Under 21 performance, which was held the night before.
The game shown on this DVD was that shown by the BBC and commentary is from the ever dependable John Motson who is supported by Trevor Brooking.
The DVD layout is very clear and easy to access, the match is broken down into 12 chapters which allow you to pick particular moments if you chose to.
If ever I feel down this game instantly cheers me up, if only we can produce this performance more often. What makes this more special is the team we beat, not for any childish nationalist reason as I respect the German team but for the fact they are one of the best teams in the World.
Teams:
Germany: Kahn, Worns...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Plot: Tense tale of an ex-RAF officer who is suspected of being London's 'necktie murderer'.
DVD Description
FRENZY was Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate film--and the first film he'd made in England in 20 years. Based on an Arthur La Bern novel, the film focuses on many of the same motifs that Hitchcock had obsessively examined throughout his life's work: the wrong man theme, doubling (in which one person acts out the repressed violence of another), and the general public's thirst for sex and violence. Hitchcock had made films featuring Jack the Ripper-type killers before, including THE LODGER in 1926, a silent movie about a series of murders in London and a mysterious man who appears to be guilty of the crimes. In FRENZY, Hitchcock goes mod with this blackly comic story about a sex criminal--the Necktie Killer--plaguing post-Carnaby London. An innocent man who is suspected by police as the murderer must fight to nab the real perpetrator and clear his name. Though not as well-known as his other films, FRENZY marked a striking return to form for the famed director. Anthony Shaffer's script is excellent, and Jon Finch brings distinctive qualities to his role as the classic Hitchcock man-accused hero.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
![Frenzy [DVD] [1972]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78539361.jpg)
![Shigurui: Death Frenzy Complete Series [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/91782604.jpg)
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
28.11.2007
28.07.2005
05.04.2006
