Deadly Strangers

One surprise after another in this (would you call it a thriller?) English film. I especially liked it because it showed me a lot of England as it might look from a car window (at least in 1975). Stores, pubs, petrol stations and the everyday places you would encounter traveling along the road. All sorts of action takes place yet (somehow) it still manages to be on the slow side despite the excitement that keeps cropping up. The mystery of it, and its oddity and unpredictability keep it going. For some reason I really found the sounds in this film appealing.

Deadly Strangers takes a rather familiar horror film situation as it's base; that being the idea of someone hitching a lift with a stranger. This is a classic horror film situation because of all the danger it presents and has lead to many classic films. With this film, director Sidney Hayers clearly did not have very much to work with; but he gets past this admirably by ensuring that the central situation and the characters are always interesting, and also puts a different spin on the situation - and in doing so proves that with talent, that is all that is needed to make a successful thriller. The plot begins in an asylum where a mental patient has escaped. We then fast forward to a young woman alone on the road after getting out of a car in which the driver requested too high a 'fare'. She ends up hitching a lift with a drunk, yet friendly, driver who agrees to give her a lift to the train station. However, it soon becomes obvious that the driver and the escaped mental patient may well be the same man!

Deadly Strangers is a British production; and it's refreshing to see a film like this take place in the unfamiliar setting of the British countryside, which makes a more than worthy place for the action to take place in; despite not being a particularly picturesque location. Simon Ward is the male half of the leading duo and does really well with the role; he plays it so as to make it obvious that his character has a defect, but for the most part it could be passed off as him being merely a bit strange. Hayley Mills is the other half and delivers the real standout performance; she gets to go through a range of emotions in the film and delivers a really effective portrayal of her character. The film runs at a steady pace throughout and draws the audience into the characters very well indeed. The film always gives the impression that it's building into something; and it doesn't disappoint. The final twist is hinted at throughout but still manages to be a surprise once it is finally unveiled and provides a strong ending for the film and ensures that most things make sense. Overall, this is rather difficult to find but its well worth tracking down. Recommended.

DEADLY STRANGERS opens with the escape of a dangerous -unseen- maniac from a mental hospital. Said psycho now roams the countryside, leaving a trail of victims along the way.

Meanwhile, young Belle Adams (Hayley Mills) is hitching her way to the train station. After escaping a lecherous trucker, she hitches a ride with a normal-looking young man named Stephen (Simon Ward). As they drive on, we learn about his history, as well as Belle's tragic past.

Sort of a road trip / mystery / thriller film, it's complete with murder, voyeurism, bikers, road rage, and the lovely Ms. Mills in just about every scene! She's really quite good in this. And yes, she does don her birthday suit. Also, watch for Sterling Haydon in an important cameo appearance...

Good movie plots remain with me. This is a movie I'd seen as a child and am lucky to find it here. It's a plot I've never forgotten and has quite a twist at the end. The only actor I remembered was Simon Ward. The acting was fine and, like so many of the British movies I've seen, nothing is overdone. No unnecessary violence and things blowing up for the sake of a boom. They don't write enough movies like this one. Other moves like this one is Vanishing Act with Elliot Gould, Silent Partner with Elliot Gould, and Sudden Fury (a very little known Canadian movie which should not be confused with the idiotic action film of the same name).

If you're the kind of movie fan who hates predictable movies then this movie is for you.

An effective suspense story with terrific performances by Hayley Mills and Simon Ward. Mills was twenty-seven at the time and was obviously working to completely shed what was left of her POLLYANNA/DISNEY image. Given that the actress appears throughout the film in various stages of undress, and is seen in several other compromising positions, I would say her plight was successful. Though the story may at first seem like a transparent/psycho-on-the-loose chiller, the film has some strikingly effective new twists, and there are enough red herrings for two films! The film has been unavailable on video for some time and rarely appears on TV, but it's most certainly worth the extra effort to find it!!!!!