Terreur dans la nuit

I admit I'm normally not a big Elizabeth Taylor fan, but this movie made me realize it's perhaps solely due to the fact she hasn't starred in many films in my favorite genre of horror! The character of Ellen Wheeler, which she depicts in "Night Watch", easily could have been played by either Joan Crawford or Bette Davis (if they had been, say, 15-20 years younger) and I am a devoted admirer of those two ladies. Taylor is truly excellent and convincing, but she can also rely on a very intelligent screenplay (adapted from a stage play) and an intensely unsettling atmosphere generated by directed Brian G. Hutton. If the premise of "Night Watch" sounds overly familiar or even derivative, it's probably because we have all seen the set-up numerous times before. Mind you, however, the film holds a few surprises in store that you most certainly have not seen before!

Even though she got remarried with the handsome financial expert John, and always has her best friend Sarah around the house for support, wealthy but ageing diva Ellen Wheeler is still recovering from a mental breakdown caused by her ex-husband. He died in a road accident, in the company of his much younger and ravishing mistress, and this still causes nightmarish illusions and sleepless nights to Ellen. During one of these long nights, she thinks she witness a brutal slaying in the abandoned house across the street. The police don't find any evidence of a crime and, naturally, nobody believes her due to her mental condition and her repeatedly hysterical requests to Inspector Walker to search for a body that presumably doesn't exist. Thus far the synopsis that every horror/thriller fanatic knows by heart, and we usually also have a pretty good idea where it goes from here. And partially it does, but I guarantee you that the denouement of "Night Watch" will differ from what you expect!

"Night Watch" is a vastly underrated film, especially because the red herrings and plot twists are very simple and straightforward, and yet so incredibly effective! I also must praise Brian G. Hutton, as well as his entire cast and crew, for managing to keep the story compelling and entertaining despite the clichéd framework. Films like this risk to become tedious very quick, but Hutton somehow upholds the mystery and the cast members restrain from putting down their characters as open books. You know you're watching a good suspense/mystery thriller when the complete lack of action isn't really bothering throughout 80-85 minutes. The Grand-Guignol climax is still more than welcome and, for once, you should NOT kick yourself or feel dumb for not being able to guess the end-twist.

PS: La Liz was quite good-looking at the age of 46, but can you honestly blame any husband for cheating with the unearthly beautiful Linda Hayden?

Based on a Lucille Fletcher play, this suspense-drama stars Elizabeth Taylor as a beautiful woman who is certain she has witnessed a murder, but has great difficulty convincing her husband and others. Sound like familiar material? Perhaps to a certain extent, but Taylor's brilliant performance, plus some genuine suspense, and a surprise ending that will knock you right out of your seat make this a superior thriller.

Based on a play by the brilliant Lucile Fletcher ("sorry wrong number" ,who gave Barbara Stanwyck one of her best roles, "80 dollars to Stanford" ...) , this is a good thriller with many red herrings. The heroine is seeing things (in the night ,horrified, she sees a dead body ) ,and as she has a tormented past ,she might sink ,slowly but inexorably ,into complete madness.Or is it a set up? Her husband is considerate,but there is another woman in the house ,and she may be his lover : do they want to have her sent to a sanatorium? One of talented Laurence Harvey's last part :he was to die prematurely of cancer shortly after.Billie Whitelaw is ideally cast as a disturbing woman (see "the omen") which might (or might not) be dangerous.

An underrated thriller.

I love this movie starring La Liz(looking more beautiful & glamorous than ever,the handsome Laurence Harvey and Billie Whitelaw.All good actors,good writing in a suspenseful thriller.It all takes place at the big Wheeler house.Liz playing an insomniac who thinks she witnesses a murder across the way at the old abandoned house next door.Or did she?Is it just her nerves working on her?Is she going crazy and needs to see a shrink like her husband and best friend seem to think?It's a good scary movie for a Saturday night.Pop lots of popcorn and curl up under a heavy blanket & enjoy!The costumes are gorgeous,the music good and the sets and atmosphere are really wonderful.Based on the play.I also love the song at the end!Highly recommended.

...and Elizabeth Taylor freaking out!

Night Watch from 1973 is based on a Broadway play that starred Joan Hackett. Taylor is Ellen Wheeler, married to her busy husband John (Laurence Harvey). They currently have Ellen's best friend Sarah (Billie Whitelaw) visiting. Sarah is having a clandestine affair and sneaks out to meet him.

One night, during a storm, Ellen swears she saw a murder victim in the old house across the way. Raising her suspicions is the fact that the man (Robert Lang) who lives in the guest house is digging what looks like a grave. The next day, trees have been planted on it. Ellen's past comes into play here, as she keeps remembering an incident from years ago.

The police, however, can't find anything; Ellen then sees another murder victim and lives in a state of hysteria, paranoid and suspicious of everyone and everything. Her husband has a psychiatrist friend (Tony Britton) speak with her, and it's decided it is best if she goes away for a little rest.

This is a fun movie, where it seems there is always a horrible storm raging. It contains elements of some other films, as mentioned above. Taylor, who at this point was making a lot of schlock, does a fine job as the unstable Ellen.

I did know how this ended ahead of time, having seen part of it ages and ages ago, so I didn't have the twist-ending thrill others have had. Nevertheless, it was very entertaining.

One of Taylor's better films from this period - in the hands of better director, it could have been much stronger, since the story and cast are strong. As it is, it's worth watching.