I appreciate that this was accordingly conceived as the pilot for a TV show. One had better appreciate it, or else the stylized opening credits and predominant lighthearted music would turn one off right away. Likewise, between Terry Bourke's direction and Peter Hendry's cinematography, there were many choices made here in terms of how shots were arranged that were choices of novelty and not of sincere intent; it's readily evident that the TV program that did not materialize was to have carried a wry, tongue-in-cheek tone even amidst the horror-thriller violence. A bit more plainly questionable is the editing, which carries the same latter sensibility but has the effect of chopping up the viewing experience in a tiresome manner. I could also do without the animal cruelty, a needless, tasteless addition even in a genre that already capitalizes on death and violence. No matter how you want to look at it, 'Night of fear' is neither free of issues nor an essential must-see.
The plot is emphatically straightforward - admittedly in keeping with the slant of the original apparent intent - and the storytelling is so direct and unsophisticated that there's not necessarily much lasting entertainment value to be had here. In the very least I commend the cast for their committed, intense performances, even if Norman Yemm is a little over the top as the hermit. I will also say that to the credit of filmmaker Bourke, the feature is able to achieve a measure of tense atmosphere. With smart use of sound effects, lighting, and art direction in addition to the acting, some more horror-appropriate themes in the score, and instances of fine scene writing, all the key ingredients are in place for a dash of suspense; say what one will of the man's direction, he's capable enough to judiciously exercise those advantages. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that Bourke doesn't bog down the abbreviated tale with extraneous dialogue; save for some passing instances of verbalized exclamations, 'Night of fear' sagely frees itself of words that sometimes just get in the way. Off the top of my head I can think of few genre flicks - or sound pictures generally - that adopted such an approach, and I admire the welcome change of pace.
In fairness to cinematographer Hendry and editor Ray Alchin, their contributions also lend to the harrowing air about the film despite the most overzealous instances. While these fifty-odd minutes are brief and forthright, they nevertheless evoke earnest feelings of horror for as dark and grisly as the story gets before all is said and done. What it really comes down to is that the production quite comes off as the audiovisual equivalent of a short story, the sort one might find in 'Scary stories to tell in the dark' or other such collections; nevermind television - Bourke may well have collaborated on an anthology movie with contemporaries, and 'Night of fear' would have fit right in. For those who appreciate all the places the genre can go, whatever form that might take, this will be modestly satisfying. It's no zenith of thrills of ambience, but it's suitably enjoyable in its grimness, and for as short as it is, it's readily digestible for something light and quick. Don't go out of your way, but 'Night of fear' is a fine little piece if you come across it, and that's all it needs to be.
The plot is emphatically straightforward - admittedly in keeping with the slant of the original apparent intent - and the storytelling is so direct and unsophisticated that there's not necessarily much lasting entertainment value to be had here. In the very least I commend the cast for their committed, intense performances, even if Norman Yemm is a little over the top as the hermit. I will also say that to the credit of filmmaker Bourke, the feature is able to achieve a measure of tense atmosphere. With smart use of sound effects, lighting, and art direction in addition to the acting, some more horror-appropriate themes in the score, and instances of fine scene writing, all the key ingredients are in place for a dash of suspense; say what one will of the man's direction, he's capable enough to judiciously exercise those advantages. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that Bourke doesn't bog down the abbreviated tale with extraneous dialogue; save for some passing instances of verbalized exclamations, 'Night of fear' sagely frees itself of words that sometimes just get in the way. Off the top of my head I can think of few genre flicks - or sound pictures generally - that adopted such an approach, and I admire the welcome change of pace.
In fairness to cinematographer Hendry and editor Ray Alchin, their contributions also lend to the harrowing air about the film despite the most overzealous instances. While these fifty-odd minutes are brief and forthright, they nevertheless evoke earnest feelings of horror for as dark and grisly as the story gets before all is said and done. What it really comes down to is that the production quite comes off as the audiovisual equivalent of a short story, the sort one might find in 'Scary stories to tell in the dark' or other such collections; nevermind television - Bourke may well have collaborated on an anthology movie with contemporaries, and 'Night of fear' would have fit right in. For those who appreciate all the places the genre can go, whatever form that might take, this will be modestly satisfying. It's no zenith of thrills of ambience, but it's suitably enjoyable in its grimness, and for as short as it is, it's readily digestible for something light and quick. Don't go out of your way, but 'Night of fear' is a fine little piece if you come across it, and that's all it needs to be.