Experiment in Terror (1962) Reviews

• A Film That Lives Up To Its Title

  Rich-991999-04-14

  "Experiment in Terror" is a superb example of how to scare the hell out of you without a trace of gore, blood or gratuitous violence. For all intents and purposes this is a police procedural where the aim is to track down a stalker/blackmailer/murderer. Filmed in black and white the film revels in darkness and uses it to create its more unsettling moments. Imagining what we are barely seeing in the dark and letting our imaginations run wild is scarier than seeing a graphic depiction. Ford and Remmick turn in excellent performances under Blake Edwards' deft direction. Best of all is Ross Martin as the world champion heavy breather. Martin is generally known for more lighter roles but his rather sinister turn here is very fine. Stark photography, often at night, and a subtle yet unsettling score by Henry Mancini are icing on the cake. To be watched with the lights out.

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• Great thriller from Blake Edwards

  FilmOtaku2004-04-20

  Since my exposure to Blake Edwards beyond his comedies has only been `Days of Wine and Roses', which is one of the most depressing films I've ever seen, I wasn't sure what to expect in the way of a thriller from a director who I largely respect. `Experiment in Terror' which stars Lee Remick and the always great Glenn Ford, turned out to be an outstanding and slick film which was thoroughly enjoyable. While the story, about a bank teller who is threatened with the kidnapping of her younger sister if she doesn't steal 100K from her employer, and the FBI agent (Ford) who tries to both protect her and find out who the extortionist is, does not rely on cheap thrills in order to create suspense. Rather, the black and white film and noir-like shadows help build the tension while not taking away from the story. The cinematography is extremely crisp, and, like many well-made noir films of the 40's-mid 60's, you can almost imagine each frame as a beautiful photograph. While I'd never heard of this film until coming across it on one of the movie channels, it is well worth looking for. --Shelly

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• Solid Crime Story With Nice Cast

  ccthemovieman-12006-02-11

  Although it's two hours long and there is nothing much resembling today's blood and guts-action-a-minute thrillers, this 1960s crime story still entertains, thanks to an interesting cast. Sure, they could have chopped off 15 minutes of this to make it a bit tighter but watching Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, Stefanie Powers and Ross Martin isn't all bad, especially Remick, a gorgeous woman with one of the sweetest, softest voices I've ever heard. Powers, 19 when she filmed this, was easy on the eyes, too. Martin is effectively creepy as the asthmatic killer and Ford is good as the no-nonsense FBI man after him. I look at Ford as one of the better and underrated actors of his generation. The DVD also shows off some nice film noir-type photography to its best. The clothing, cars and hairstyles might be a little out-of-date but the dialog isn't, and it's refreshing to watch a crime film without today's profanity laced through it. Overall, it''s solid film-making.

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• "A successful experiment in terror."

  bengleson2002-09-29

  There are so many things to praise about this frightening little picture. The performances are uniformly excellent. San Francisco is captured in a 40 year old time capsule yet the fear and terror are as vivid in 2002 as they must have been in 1962. Ross Martin is an able and elusive villain with some ability to engender loyalty in friends. As has been noted, the terror visited on Lee Remick's character Kelly Sherwood, is real and intense and persistent. In an age that equates terror with fanaticism and major special effects, all that this little noir required was poor breathing, a telephone, skilled camera work, great performances and a slam-bang script. Bravo.

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• Excellent and suspenseful

  blanche-22006-02-08

  Glenn Ford is an FBI agent; Lee Remick is the victim of someone she's never seen in "Experiment in Terror," directed by Blake Edwards and also starring Stefanie Powers and Ned Glass. Remick is very effective as a plucky bank teller who's approached from behind and told to steal money from the bank where she works. The only thing she can tell the FBI is that it's a man who has heavy, asthmatic breathing. Ross Martin plays the criminal. He's a thief and murderer; he also is in love with a Chinese woman and is paying for her son's operation. Her terrorizes Remick and her sister (Powers). Martin really died too soon. He was a wonderful actor, and this was a great role for him. Glenn Ford is a dream FBI agent, and why do I think there are no FBI agents like this? He's gentle, kind, and concerned, not to mention handsome. He has a nice chemistry with Remick. There are some great scenes in "Experiment in Terror." One of the best takes place in the apartment of a woman who makes mannequins; and several take place right at the beginning, when Martin accosts Remick and later surprises her in her home. The scene in which he kidnaps Stefanie Powers is downright scary. Powers is unbelievably young here, but she was a good actress even then and gives a convincing performance. The big scene takes place in Candlestick Park which several posters have written about. Not having their expertise, I won't. I really love the atmosphere Blake Edwards created in this film, and I love the casting of Ford, Remick, Martin, and Powers. This is a fine film, definitely worth a watch if you want to see how good movies are made. Suggested rather than shown violence, no special effects, black and white - yet it still works.

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