The Anniversary (1968)

Director:

Roy Ward Baker

Writers:

Bill MacIlwraith (play)
Jimmy Sangster (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 February 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Bette Davis a portrait in evil as the most merciless mother of them all!

Plot:

Three sons who work in the family construction business help their overbearing mother celebrate her anniversary to her late husband.

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Wedding Anniversary | Dysfunctional Family | Widow | Black Comedy

Cast

Bette Davis	...	Mrs. Taggart
Sheila Hancock	...	Karen Taggart
Jack Hedley	...	Terry Taggart
James Cossins	...	Henry Taggart
Christian Roberts	...	Tom Taggart
Elaine Taylor	...	Shirley Blair
Timothy Bateson	...	Mr. Bird
Sally-Jane Spencer	...	Florist
Arnold Diamond	...	Head waiter
Albert Shepherd	...	Construction Worker
Ralph Watson	...	Construction Worker

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

UK:PG | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Elstree, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Hammer Film Productions

Trivia:

Original director, Alvin Rakoff was replaced by Roy Ward Baker when Bette Davis demanded the change.

Quotes:

[Henry has transvestite and kleptomaniac tendencies]
Shirley Blair: I know it's none of my business, but shouldn't you see a psychiatrist?
Henry Taggart: If I didn't do... what I do... there's no telling what I might do.

Movie Connections:

Version of "La verdad de Laura" (2002)

Do you laugh or cry?

My mother thought this film was hilarious, while my father thought it was a gruesome depiction of how awful people can be. I think it's both. I laughed so hard, but I felt bad about it later.

This movie is warped. The characters are warped. It's a weird trip that makes me think Tennessee Williams meets "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." We have a set number of people, in the same place, and they just rage at each other for the entire duration of the film. (Speaking of "Virginia Woolf"--Elizabeth Taylor could play Mrs. Taggart in a remake...a diamond studded eyepatch. It would be fabulous.)

It's fortunate that this meeting of the monsters was filmed, as you'll never see so many relentlessly horrible people in one place ever again. Front, center, left, right, and diagonal is the massive one-eyed Mrs. Taggart, who lost her eye in an accident involving one of her children. She's a card, you can tell right off. She has different eye patches to match her outfits--I think that's probably a sign of mental illness. She celebrates her anniversary every year so her delightful children can continue to be stuck in her clutches. When the youngest (who gives Mum the "Pissing Boy") tries to alter tradition, Mrs. Taggart crashes into action. She knows everything about everybody, and it's darned hard to outsmart her. Not that she's all that smart, but she's wicked and quite cunning. She has her blackmail schemes planned to the nth degree.

Additionally, there are several moments designed to disturb. They sort of interrupt the story, but who cares? Leaving your glass eye in strategic places is fun! Mrs. Taggart thinks it is, but she'd probably eat babies if given the chance. And while we're at it, let's not forget the girlfriend with the ears! She's a barrel of laughs.

Best moment--Mrs. Taggart makes her big entrance, as a record plays her song, only to trip on the steps. That describes the movie perfectly. It's like falling down stairs. Funny to some people, but not so entertaining to the people involved.