Terrore in cima alle scale

Well-done psychological thriller is slow in going, but ultimately a rewarding and emotional character study.

Lonely spinster has been living under the eye of her over-bearing father ever since her beloved fiancé disappeared years earlier. But now that she is gathering her will power, will she be able to take control of her life and uncover the secrets from her past?

While many have billed this film as a horror movie, it's really not. The Attic is a highly tense drama that builds to some good thriller qualities, especially toward its climax. Director George Edwards creates a feeling of intrigue and mystery with this film, while adding some occasional Gothic touches. The musical score and theme song also add to the film's over all shut-in mood.

The true highlight of this movie though is its great cast. Veteran actor Ray Milland is appropriate and menacing as the heroine's invalid old father. His performance is quite good and this stands out as one of his better B film roles. However the true star of this film is the late Carrie Snodgrass. Snodgrass gives a stirring, heart-felt performance that makes her character truly sympathetic. In fact, she is so good in her role that she gives the entire film a bit of a solemn, moving note. This is perhaps one of Snodgrass's best roles ever.

The Attic has became a some what lost film over the years and it shouldn't be. It's a rare thriller that actually reaches an emotional level with its audience.

*** out of ****

Okay, the storyline here is pretty interesting. Louise is a lonley librarian who is developing a drinking habit which is about to get her fired. But if anyone has GOOD reason to be sneakin hooch its Louise. 19 years ago she was left at the altar by her true love who she's never heard from since (she calls Missing Persons on a regular basis and they are at a point where they dont think this man EVER existed anywhere but in Louise's mind!). She lives with her evil nasty belittling father who is in a wheelchair due to an accident he had trying to escape a building Louise set on fire during one of her "Crazys" episodes. Since then Louise has had to bathe him, feed him and wait on him hand and foot.As you can imagine its a real downer and Louise has even known to slit a wrist or two over it (which her father points out is just to get attention!) Louise makes freinds with a new younger girl at the library and they start a friendship that at least brings Louise a little bit of joy. Her father cant stand it. "Where were you?" he likes to yell when she comes home at night. (He listens to phone calls too.) From the point were Louise is gifted a monkey....yes, a monkey!.....the twists start hitting. Are they fast and furious? No, the movie moves slowly ...which is unfortunate because all-in-all it IS an interesting story with some cool plot twists. I really think this movie needs a re-make with quicker pacing and maybe a few more surprises thrown in. The first time I saw this movie I was a little kid who caught the last 20 minutes on TV and thought "Wow! What a mind-f***!". Renting it and watching it in full I now see that most of the action takes place in those last 20 minutes.

Plot is a little slow Storyline varies too much, too many scenes that have nothing to do with the actual story. Some of the acting is not that great, but this is a 70's movie so it's about par for the course. Not too bad of a movie overall...

I remember seeing The Attic on TV when I was 10, and I'll have to admit, it did give me nightmares. Now at 28, I decided to drop it in my Netflix queue just for laughs to see if it would still freak me out. Now I have a different perspective about it.I really agree with the last comment I read. This film is hard to classify, and in my opinion, could have been so much better. The two actors, Carrie Snodgress and Ray Milland keep it from being completely unwatchable. Snodgress does an exceptional job portraying Louise, that she actually makes you feel bad for her. All through the movie, you almost wish someone would throw her a bone and get her out of that dreadful house. It isn't really a horror movie, but it does have a creepy feel to it in some places. Ray Milland's sadistic portrayal of Louise's father,Wendell, contributes to that.

This film is a slow burn at times, but offers a very in depth character study and the effect of mental criticism, manipulation of overbearing parent. Your introduced to Louise a middle aged librarian whose life is less than ideal and was stood up at the alter 19 yrs ago. You really do sympathize with her fragile mental state and her delusion that her fiancee will return to her. Louise is played by Carrie Snoggren and we'll played too, Wendell her awful excuse of a father is played by Ray Milland. For about 40 minutes it's a slow burn, until the intro of the monkey. The ending though quite sad builds to an exciting climax as to what's really in the attic. Not a repeat watch but deserving of a viewing once or twice. 3/5.