One of the last of the Hammer psycho thrillers, again from a script by Jimmy Sangster who seems keen to recycle many of the elements of his earlier work in this genre, particularly Scream of Fear - there's a young woman protagonist, a mansion in the South of France, a matriarch who is possible crazy, a rich person in a wheelchair, a pool, spooky scenes of the heroine poking around at night. it also rips off Jane Eyre and Rebecca.
Stefanie Powers rarely got to play a lead role but I liked her a lot here; she's very pretty (several bikini swims, thank you very much, plus even a topless scene towards the end) and has an engaging presence. Joss Ackland adds some gravitas and power as the mysterious chauffeur.
However the other three members of the cast are less good. James Olsen is a solid actor, but lacks a little in the leading man looks department, and doesn't have the presence of a say Oliver Reed or even Ronald Lewis. He lacks chemistry with Powers who is far too good looking for him - I didn't buy it for a second she'd go for him.
Jane Lapotaire isn't nearly sexy enough to play the saucy maid who teases and flirts around Olsen; there were much better looking actresses and actors on display in Hammer films and I'm surprised they couldn't find someone better. (This is harsh and a personal opinion, I know, but I'd be lying if I didn't feel it hurt the movie for me.).
Finally, Margaretta Scott lacks presence as the mother, in a role that could have used with some aging film starlet. Stronger casting for these three roles would have made this so, so much more interesting.
The direction lets things down, too. Scenes that Seth Holt or Freddie Francis had knocked out of the park in earlier Sangster psycho thrillers - such as Power poking around the house at night following the sounds of music, discovery of a doll with its face smashed in - which should have given jolts, aren't very scary here. And despite being in colour the movie isn't very attractive and lacks atmosphere.
If I were Powers I'd be really annoyed because it was a lead role for her and the film isn't as good as she is. Jimmy Sangster has less reason to complain since he's re-heating old elements most of the time, but the director could have been much better.
Alan Gibson directed.
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