UK, 1975
82m (UK – cut version), 84m
35mm film, Technicolor
mono, English
A British horror film directed by James Kenelm Clarke and the only native film to make the UK’s “video nasties” list of the 1980s.
Premise
Writer Paul Martin has scored a massive hit with his first novel and has retreated to a remote cottage in the heart of the English countryside to concentrate on his follow up. He’s accompanied by his new secretary, Linda Hinstatt, a housekeeper, Mrs Aston and, occasionally, his lover Suzanne. Struck down by writer’s block and struggling with his psychological inadequacies (he insists on wearing rubber gloves during sex), Martin begins to come apart at the seams. Linda, having refused his sexual advances but who’s been quick to seduce Suzanne, turns out to have an agenda all her own – her husband, also a writer, committed suicide when Martin stole his manuscript and published it as his own. She’s now out for revenge and, armed with a double-barrelled shotgun, looks likely to get it.
Credits
Crew
Directed by: James Kenelm Clarke
© MCMLXXV [1975] [no company given]
Keith Cevele presents for Norfolk International. Made by Norfolk International Pictures Ltd
Produced by: Brian Smedley-Aston
Screenplay: James Kenelm Clarke
Director of Photography: Denis Lewiston
Film Editor: Jim Connock
Music: Steve Gray
Sound: Michael Hickey, Hugh Strain
Mr Keir’s Wardrobe: Tommy Nutter of Savile Row
Miss Richmond’s Wardrobe: Wardrobe of Chiltern Street
Make-up: Bunty Phillips
Cast
Udo Kier (Paul Martin)
Linda Hayden (Linda Hindstatt)
Fiona Richmond (Suzanne)
Patsy Smart (Mrs Aston)
Karl Howman (big youth)
Vic Armstrong (small youth)
Sydney Knight [Smedley] *
Brian Smedley-Aston [Simon Hindstatt] *
Alternative Titles
4 anomala eglimata – Greek re-release title
Ta 4 mystiriodi eglimata – Greece
La casa sulla collina di paglia – Italy
House on Straw Hill – Australia/UK working title
Trauma – USA
Links
Remake
Stalker (2010)
Production Notes
Censorship
When the film was released on video in the UK in the early 80s, it fell foul of the ‘video nasties’ outrage and became the only home-grown film to be counted among their number. Even when it was finally reissued in late 1997, it was still problematic, the BBFC removing 51s from the rape scene before allowing it to be released.
References
Periodicals
- Monthly Film Bulletin vol.43 no.507 (April 1976) p.80 – credits, synopsis, review
- Screen International no.26 (6 March 1976) p.10 – note
- Screen International no.27 (13 March 1976) p.10 – review
Books
- The Mammoth Book of Slasher Movies: An A-Z Guide to Over Sixty Years of Blood and Guts by Peter Normanton pp.198-199
