The Appointment – 1981 | 90 mins | Horror, Thriller, Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

An unusual chiller and sole directorial effort from writer/director Lindsey C Vickers about a virtuoso teenage violinist with paranormal powers. The padded out tale of predestination has some satisfactorily realised dream sequences but the special effects and predetermined conclusion fail to thrill due to relatively cheap theatrics and uninspired camerawork. Edward Woodward apart, the acting is wooden and well below par. The obscure film failed to secure any theatrical bookings of note and was ultimately released on video in 1982.

The Appointment opens with a flashback scene of a teenage girl returning home from school who mysteriously disappears whilst walking through a copse. Fast-forward three years, and introverted schoolgirl Joanne (Samantha Weysom) leaves lessons late in the day and makes her way to the now fenced-off Crombie Wood – there she is seen conversing to somebody or something beyond the iron railings.

Her father, Ian (Edward Woodward), has just returned from dropping his car off at the garage and must now break the news to his daughter that he is unable to keep his promise of attending her violin recital.

That night, Doberman’s are seen approaching the house, whilst Ian and his wife Dianna (Jane Merrow) experience a nightmarish premonition of a car accident involving Ian and his subsequent death. The following morning Ian duly drives off for his pre-arranged appointment near London. As he rushes back to recover a misplaced watch from a phonebox, his car begins to lose brake fluid and gradually increase in speed until a near-miss with a truck forces his car to veer off the road and settle on the roof of tall trees below.