Being a big Hammer movie fan, I’ve heard about most of the good films from the studio – but knew absolutely nothing about this. I only watched it because it was on a DVD collection but gave it priority after hearing Marcus Hearn talk about it on the DVD commentary for Pirates of Blood River (the films share a screenwriter). The result is a startling movie, about child abuse of all things.
Although shot at Bray Studios, it’s set in Canada, and is about a family of Brits who’ve recently moved there so dad can take up a position as high school principal. The nine year old daughter visits an old man who gives her and friend candy… in exchange for taking off all her clothes and dancing. The rest of the film deals with the fall out, particularly the fact the old man is from a powerful family in the town.
Very well written, directed and acted (I didn’t recognise any of the cast except for the prosecutor and the dirty old man [Felix Aylmer], and the kid actors are good), this has special power from being made in the late 50s. You watch it and it’s hard to believe you’re actually watching it. Despite that, the film pulls few punches – it’s always clear what’s happened, what characters are afraid of happening, and the ending doesn’t cop out. Also the fact this is set during a time when child abuse was less discussed than it is now, more swept under the carpet, and it was less socially acceptable to hate pedophiles. (Love how mum is sedated by the doctor at the end). It tackles different points of view to dealing with the problems – hush it up, be careful, deny it, tell the truth. Well worth seeking out.
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