Well intentioned, I am sure, but this early effort from director Lewis Gilbert, best known for Alfie (1966) and a trio of Bond films, is perhaps too loyal to the original stage play by Bruce Walker. The dialogue is strong but the film seems hampered by lack of location shooting and much moralising. It has a certain charm but the preaching about parental guidance, the value of youth clubs and teenage pregnancies make this a rather difficult watch today. The only real surprise here in this tale of young boys going wrong is the ending, which comes as a real surprise. Especially mind boggling at a time when the Scottish authorities have just outlawed the physical chastising of children, we see the measure suggested as the answer to the universe.
Review of The Slasher
