Frenzy Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Man loses job, his ex-wife gets strangled, suddenly potatoes are involved, and the police inspector just wants a decent meal.

🍿 Frenzy: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Necktie Murders Begin

London is gripped by fear as a serial killer, dubbed the ‘Necktie Murderer,’ begins strangling women with neckties after sexually assaulting them. Richard Blaney, an ex-RAF officer with a history of anger issues, is fired from his bartending job, adding to his already mounting troubles. The police, led by Chief Inspector Oxford, are under immense pressure to catch the killer.

Circumstantial Evidence

Blaney seeks help from his ex-wife, Brenda, who runs a matrimonial agency. After a dinner together, Brenda secretly places money in Blaney’s pocket. Later, Brenda is found murdered, strangled with a necktie. Circumstantial evidence points to Blaney, making him the prime suspect in the eyes of the police. He goes on the run, protesting his innocence.

Framed

Blaney seeks refuge with his girlfriend, Babs, a barmaid. However, the real killer, Bob Rusk, who is also a friend of Blaney and a Covent Garden fruit merchant, murders Babs and frames Blaney. The police arrest Blaney, who is subsequently convicted based on the overwhelming circumstantial evidence against him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richard Blaney (Jon Finch): A down-on-his-luck ex-RAF officer who becomes the prime suspect in a series of necktie murders.
• Robert Rusk (Barry Foster): The outwardly friendly fruit merchant who is secretly a serial killer strangling women with a necktie.
• Brenda Blaney (Barbara Leigh-Hunt): Richard’s ex-wife who runs a marriage agency and becomes one of Rusk’s victims.
• Babs Milligan (Anna Massey): Richard’s girlfriend and barmaid who supports him, but becomes another victim of Rusk.
• Chief Inspector Tim Oxford (Alec McCowen): The Scotland Yard inspector investigating the necktie murders, who begins to doubt Blaney’s guilt.
• Mrs. Oxford (Vivien Merchant): The Chief Inspector’s wife, whose experimental gourmet cooking provides comic relief.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Chief Inspector Oxford: “Mr. Rusk, you’re not wearing your tie.” – The final line of the film, delivered with dry wit as the police close in on the necktie murderer, implying his guilt.
• Robert Rusk: “I… (he drops the trunk that he has just dragged into the room)” – Rusk’s speechless reaction after being caught and realizing that he is caught is both understated and chilling.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $6,940

💥 Frenzy Reviews

Personal Review

As a Hitchcock fan, I found “Frenzy” both disturbing and fascinating. I was squirming in my seat during the suspenseful potato truck scene, and the dark humor throughout kept me engaged even when the violence was unsettling. While it’s definitely not his most feel-good movie, it showed a different side of Hitchcock and left me thinking about it long after it ended.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Alfred Hitchcock”
  • “Viewers interested in suspenseful crime thrillers”
  • “Those who appreciate films set in London”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Sexual assault”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Disturbing themes”

Professional Reviews

• GFT, Amazon Reviewer: “Hitchcock’s final masterpiece features a wrongly accused man in a grim, Dickensian London. The film is fearsome, wickedly funny, and strongly recommended, but not for the faint of heart. The presentation includes interviews that Hitchcock fans will find fascinating.
• TVfanatic: “Hitchcock enjoys himself showing how the man tries to escape and how he betrays people. Director’s trademarks are also back in force: suspense (a lot!) and humour -more sarcastic and sharper than ever.
• N/A: “A truly engaging nail-biter! Hitchcock did one hell of a job! There is a great shot where one of the victims is being raped and we don’t even hear any off-screen yells or screams.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved how Hitchcock creates suspense by leaving some murder scenes to the imagination.: Many appreciated the blend of suspense and dark humor, noting how Hitchcock’s directorial choices elevated the mundane to the spectacular.

Overall Consensus: “Frenzy” is considered a strong, suspenseful thriller from Hitchcock’s later period, although its graphic content can be off-putting to some viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alfred Hitchcock returned to London to film ‘Frenzy’ after a 30-year absence, marking a significant shift in location and style for the director.”
• “The film was considered quite shocking for its time due to its graphic depiction of violence and sexual assault, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in mainstream cinema.”
• “Hitchcock originally planned a cameo as the body floating in the Thames, but opted for a more subtle appearance in the crowd. A dummy was made for the river scene, which was used in the humorous trailer.”
• “Anthony Shaffer wrote the screenplay adapting the novel ‘Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square’. Shaffer is also known for writing the play and screenplay of ‘Sleuth’.”
• “To emphasize the mundane nature of evil, Hitchcock cast relatively unknown actors rather than established stars.”

🖥️ How to Watch Frenzy?

Frenzy is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check local listings for television broadcasts.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Frenzy, you might like these similar films:

• Psycho (1960): Shares Hitchcock’s mastery of suspense and explores the dark side of human nature with shocking twists.
• M (1931): A classic German film about the hunt for a child murderer, exploring themes of paranoia and social unrest similar to ‘Frenzy’.
• The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927): An early Hitchcock film also set in London involving a suspected serial killer, mirroring the ‘wrong man’ theme.
• Zodiac (2007): David Fincher’s film about the Zodiac killer captures a similar sense of dread and the frustrating pursuit of a murderer, though with a modern sensibility.
• Peeping Tom (1960): A controversial British film exploring the dark impulses of a serial killer from his own perspective, offering a disturbing look at voyeurism and violence.

🛒 Frenzy Related Products

• Alfred Hitchcock: The Complete Films (Limited Edition Blu-ray): A comprehensive Blu-ray collection featuring all of Alfred Hitchcock’s films, including rare bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage. This limited edition set is a must-have for any serious Hitchcock fan, offering pristine quality and in-depth exploration of his career.
• Frenzy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Vinyl]: The original soundtrack to “Frenzy” on vinyl, featuring Ron Goodwin’s score. An excellent collector’s item for those appreciating movie soundtracks.
• Hitchcock: A Definitive Study of Alfred Hitchcock: The first edition of ‘Hitchcock,’ an in-depth study that draws upon a wealth of interviews and behind-the-scenes insights to explore the genius behind the celebrated film maker Alfred Hitchcock.
• A Brief History of Neckties: From Ancient Rome to the Modern Day: A brief history of neckties, including the various forms they’ve taken and the cultural significance. A tie can be used as a symbol of authority, a fashionable accessory, or as a symbol of violence as can be seen in the motion picture Frenzy.

🎧 Soundtrack

Frenzy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Poem” – performed by Zdenek Fibich (Arranged by Ron Goodwin)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Ending Of Signs Is Worse Than You Remember

Ever wonder why some movie endings just don’t stick the landing? This video dives into the ending of ‘Signs’ and honestly, it makes some pretty good points about why it’s not as great as we all remember. You might change your mind about it!

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