Fear Is the Key (1972)

Following the death of his family in an aeroplane crash, a man plots an elaborate revenge scheme on those responsible. By setting himself up as a criminal, he plans to get close to a ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Tuchner

Writers:

Alistair MacLean (novel), Robert Carrington (screenplay)

Stars:

Barry Newman, Suzy Kendall, John Vernon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barry Newman	...	John Talbot
Suzy Kendall	...	Sarah Ruthven
John Vernon	...	Vyland
Dolph Sweet	...	Jablonsky
Ben Kingsley	...	Royale
Ray McAnally	...	Ruthven
Peter Marinker	...	Larry
Elliott Sullivan	...	Judge Mollison
Roland Brand	...	Deputy
Tony Anholt	...	FBI Man

Storyline

Following the death of his family in an aeroplane crash, a man plots an elaborate revenge scheme on those responsible. By setting himself up as a criminal, he plans to get close to a certain tycoon who has been approached by the culprits to help them retrieve the cargo of the lost plane.

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Plot Keywords:

revenge | oil rig | louisiana | speed | police | 

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Taglines:

In the right hands, fear is the deadliest weapon of all.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1972 (UK)

Also Known As:

O Medo é a Chave

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 4,111,251 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anglo-EMI, KLK

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This adaptation of an Alistair MacLean paperback page-turner was released between the MacLean filmed-novel adaptations Puppet on a Chain and Caravan to Vaccares.

User Reviews

Good thriller but lacks the power of the book

Drawn from Alistair McLean's book of the same name this is a solid thriller that twists and turns nicely throughout. Barry Newman is good as Talbot, the character who finds himself drawn into shady dealings. While the mobsters are adequate (including an early appearance by Ben Kingsley!).

The twist are good but if you've read the book it really takes away from the movie as there is not a whole lot else to hold the interest. However the twists keep you guessing what people's motives are almost up till the end - having said that it's not in the league of Se7en or Usual Suspects so don't expect too much.

The ending is a strange anti-climax to the film, I won't give it away but it is rather muted considering the plot up till that point.

Overall a good story but let down by a lack of any real extended tension and a disappointing conclusion. Turn off the TV and go and read the book - it's much better!