Fanatic – 1965 | 97 mins | Thriller | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Following the Gothic triumph of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Hammer followed the example of planting fading Hollywood star in penny-dreadful surroundings. Silvio Narizzano’s diverting psychological chiller about a religious crank who gradually becomes homicidal boasts a credible and terrifying Richard Matheson linear script adapted from the novel ‘Nightmare’ by Anne Blaisdell. Narizzano directed with straightforward dynamic relish but has little to offer in the way of cinematic style or suspense. The film features much splendid scenery-chewing from allegedly intoxicated veteran US star Tallulah Bankhead in her last big screen appearance, who is ably supported by Donald Sutherland’s lunatic handyman.

Engaged Pat Carroll (Stefanie Powers) arrives in England from New York with her partner, and after receiving a letter from her dead fiancé’s mother (Tallulah Bankhead), decides to pay Mrs Trefoile a visit at her rambling mansion. On arrival, Pat immediately becomes perturbed by the house surroundings and the religious ramblings of Mrs Trefoile – and vows to humour her, remain overnight then leave in the morning. When Pat attempts to leave, Mrs Trefoile, with the assistance of servants Anna (Yootha Joyce) and Harry (Peter Vaughan), imprison her in the loft of the decaying mansion. The mad mother attempts to starve her son’s former fiancé into religious repentance and a suicidal ‘wedding’ ceremony.