Frenzy (1972)

A serial murderer is strangling women with a necktie. The London police have a suspect, but he is the wrong man.

Director:

Alfred Hitchcock

Writers:

Arthur La Bern (based on the novel "Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square" by), Anthony Shaffer (screenplay by)

Stars:

Jon Finch, Barry Foster, Barbara Leigh-Hunt

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Finch	...	Richard Blaney
Barry Foster	...	Robert Rusk
Barbara Leigh-Hunt	...	Brenda Blaney
Anna Massey	...	Babs Milligan
Alec McCowen	...	Chief Inspector Tim Oxford
Vivien Merchant	...	Mrs. Oxford
Billie Whitelaw	...	Hetty Porter
Clive Swift	...	Johnny Porter
Bernard Cribbins	...	Felix Forsythe
Michael Bates	...	Sergeant Spearman
Jean Marsh	...	Monica Barling
Madge Ryan	...	Mrs. Davison
Elsie Randolph	...	Gladys
Gerald Sim	...	Solicitor in Pub
John Boxer	...	Sir George

Storyline

London is terrorized by a vicious sex killer known as The Necktie Murderer. Following the brutal slaying of his ex-wife, down-on-his-luck Richard Blaney is suspected by the police of being the killer. He goes on the run, determined to prove his innocence.

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Plot Keywords:

rape | strangulation | murder of a nude woman | on the run | dead woman with eyes open | 

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Taglines:

Just an ordinary necktie used with a deadly new twist. [Australia Theatrical]

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Genres:

Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eileen Atkins was offered a part in this movie, but she turned it down. She said she thought it was "disgusting", and that Sir Alfred Hitchcock was a "misogynist".

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Goofs

After Rusk kills Brenda in her office, she can be seen breathing while Rusk helps himself to some items on her desk.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sir George: When I was a lad, a journey on the rivers of England was a truly blithe experience. "Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive," as Wordsworth has it. Brook lime and flag iris, plantain and marsh marigolds rioted on the banks. And kingfishers swooped and darted about, their shadows racing over the brown trout. Well, ladies and gentlemen, l'm happy to be able to tell you that these ravishing sights will be restored to us again in the near future, thanks to the diligent efforts of your ...

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Crazy Credits

The Universal Pictures logo does not appear on this film.

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Alternate Versions

ABC edited 9 minutes from this film for its 1975 network television premiere.

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Connections

Referenced in Jay Dyer: Hitchcock's Psycho Psyche & MK Ultra (2016)

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Soundtracks

Poem
(uncredited)
Music by Zdenek Fibich
Arranged by Ron Goodwin

User Reviews

Good return to form for Hitchcock

A good return to form for the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. Since The Birds in 1963 Hitchcock's movies (Marnie, Torn Curtain and Topaz) had not met with commercial success (though, personally, I think Marnie was great).

Frenzy sees Hitchcock back to doing what he does best - suspenseful murder dramas. Great, intriguing plot with the usual clever direction from Hitchcock. Some of his camera angles and exterior shots are straight from his own book of how imply something and create tension without saying a word, or using manipulative music.

The movie also has some great comedic moments. The Chief Inspector and his wife having dinner were always hilarious.

Much more edgy in terms of nudity and sex than any previous Hitchcock movies. This could be ascribed to censorship restrictions being relaxed. Also tells you what Hitchcock could have done with is movies if all the stupid, puritanical censorship wasn't there all along.

Not as tightly wound as his greats (Rear Window and Psycho especially), so not perfect as far as suspense and enthrallment goes.

Good performance by Jon Finch in the lead role. Good support from Alec McCowen, Barry Foster, Anna Massey and Barbara Leigh-Hunt.

Sadly, this was to be Hitchcock's penultimate movie. His final movie, Family Plot was released four years later, in 1976. He died in 1980.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alfred Hitchcock's Frenzy

Filming Locations:

Coburg Hotel, 129 Bayswater Road, London, England. UK

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,121

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alfred J. Hitchcock Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) (uncredited)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1