Something to Hide

SOMETHING TO HIDE is a rather strange and dreamy low budget thriller shot on the Isle of Wight. It's a little like THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA but has nowhere near the same level of power. Peter Finch plays a regular guy harrassed by his nagging wife (a powerful Shelley Winters cameo) who picks up pregnant hitchhiker Linda Hayden. It all goes wrong from there, but I didn't feel much until the admittedly powerful climax.

If the first ten minutes of Something to Hide seem cheesy and over the top, you should know that it only goes downhill from there. I stuck through the end because Peter Finch is a good actor, and I'll give anything with Shelley Winters a try. However, I should have stuck with my initial impression. I should have watched an old favorite of Shelley's and remembered Peter Finch in movies where he showed his acting talents. This is not one of them.

The movie starts with Peter and Shelly screaming at each other. There are a very unhappily married couple having another fight. Shelley pushes him too far, and it implies that Peter loses control... The next section features Peter functioning in the house without Shelly, but sometimes he hears her voice and believes her to still be in the house. It is pretty obvious what has happened, but the movie doesn't come right out and say it. Meanwhile, he picks up a pregnant hitchhiker and allows her to stay in his home. Their relationship is ambiguous and quite pointless. Save your time and watch something else tonight.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to adult content, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

This film always played around Christmastime. I watched it late one night, and it has haunted me ever since. It is a must see. Watch it 3 or 4 times to really absorb what the characters are experiencing. Powerful performances make this thriller haunting. One must pay special and careful attention throughout the entire film. It contains surprises, very interesting characters, and a truly haunting story line. It is a perfect film to watch on a cold afternoon with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. The stormy British weather adds so well to the stormy plot. Even the supporting characters in this film are intriguing. The contrast is excellent. The juxtaposition of Winters and Finch is unnerving. You will not forget this one. Everyone seems together when they mention their being haunted for years.

See it if you can find it. Great cast, writing, plot, photography. I saw it years ago and it's stuck with me since. There's not many films that do that. I was pleasantly surprised to see Shelley Winters in such a small role at a time when she was so highly regarded as an actress. I think the unique way the plot unfolded was what stuck with me. Amazing yet simple thought process the writer displays.

I really like this movie but am distressed that the US video SHATTERED runs 86 minutes while the film should run 99 min. The video box claims 100 min, so something is clearly off with the Media release. I have no idea what is missing from the US version but there are scenes that cut off abruptly and the ending also seems tampered with. Peter Finch gives a mighty performance as a man who is hanging by a thread. His involvement with a young pregnant girl seals his fate as he gets sucked in over his head and then makes a very poor decision about how to dispose of unwanted refuse. If anyone has seen a version other than the US video release I would love to hear some details.