Willard (1971)

A social misfit uses his only friends, his pet rats, to exact revenge on his tormentors.

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

Gilbert Ralston (screenplay) (as Gilbert A. Ralston), Stephen Gilbert (novel)

Stars:

Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester, Sondra Locke

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bruce Davison	...	Willard Stiles
Sondra Locke	...	Joan
Elsa Lanchester	...	Henrietta Stiles
Ernest Borgnine	...	Martin
Michael Dante	...	Brandt
Jody Gilbert	...	Charlotte Stassen
William Hansen	...	Barskin
John Myhers	...	Carlson
J. Pat O'Malley	...	Jonathan Farley
Joan Shawlee	...	Alice
Almira Sessions	...	Carrie Smith
Pauline Drake	...	Ida Stassen
Helen Spring	...	Mrs. Becker
Alan Baxter	...	Walter Spencer
Sherry Presnell	...	Mrs. Spencer

Storyline

A social misfit, Willard is made fun of by his co-workers, and squeezed out of the company started by his deceased father by his boss. His only friends are a couple of rats he raised at home, Ben and Socrates. (And their increasing number of friends) However, when one of them is killed at work, he goes on a rampage using his rats to attack those who have been tormenting him.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | psychotronic film | literature on screen | european literature on screen | irish literature on screen | 

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Taglines:

This is the *one* movie you should not see alone.

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

GP

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scenes with the rats took upwards of thirty takes to get right.

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Goofs

When Willard goes to the sink to add water to the poison, you can see the rat wranglers shadow as he reaches to remove Ben from the center island.

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Quotes

Willard Stiles: Tear him up!

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Connections

Featured in Movie Macabre: Willard (1983)

User Reviews

Acting Saves the Day!

This film was a huge hit in the summer of 1971,mostly through a smart, savvy advertising campaign that played up the horrific elements of the film. I will admit that as a young man I enjoyed the film, but seeing it today I find it deeply flawed. In the hands of a Brian DePalma or John Carpenter this could have been great stuff-Daniel Manns'direction is so pedestrian that it dulls the senses; there is no sense of atmosphere at all. Another minus is, the usually reliable, Alex Norths' musical score is terrible! Luckily the actors come through with flying colors. The cast is composed of some old time character actors,(J.Pat O'Malley etc.), colorful veterans (Elsa Lanchester,Ernest Borgnine) and 2 terrific newcomers(Sondra Locke and Bruce Davison). The cast saves this movie. Borgnine can always be counted on to deliver a good performance and he delivers here. Sondra Locke is very good as Williards' lone friend (aside from the rats) and Bruce Davison is terrific as Willard. He has all the nervous tics of Anthony Perkins in "Pyscho" and yet has a strange, almost likable air about him the earns our symphathy-a great performance that, in my opinion, saves the film. The story is about how Willard, a frustrated, immature, mother dominated young man, comes to find a meaning in his life caring for the rats that infest his old broken down home. Naturally the rat multiply and Willard soon finds himself leading an army of the critters, that do his bidding. At first its' small mischief(ruining the bosses party) and then later much more malignant deeds. The whole story leads where you expect it to but its fun watching Davisons' character grow as the film goes on. On the whole you can do worse with your time, but watch "Willard" just for a terrific debut performance by a fine actor.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ratman's Notebooks

Filming Locations:

Higgins-Verbeck-Hirsch Mansion - 637 South Lucerne Boulevard, Windsor Square, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$19,216,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bing Crosby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1