Twisted Nerve Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A troubled rich kid fakes being mentally slow to charm a girl he likes, but his inner jerk turns into a full-blown, scissor-happy stalker.

🍿 Twisted Nerve: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Troubled Young Man

The film introduces Martin Durnley, a young man from a privileged but fractured home in London. He lives with his coddling mother and a disapproving stepfather. Martin also has an older brother with Down Syndrome who resides in an institution, with whom Martin maintains contact.

Meeting Susan and Adopting an Alter Ego

Martin’s life takes a turn when he meets Susan Harper, a kind young woman working at a library. Martin manufactures a situation in a toy store to interact with her, adopting the persona of ‘Georgie’, a seemingly simple-minded, childlike individual. He uses this new identity to gain Susan’s sympathy and attention.

Infiltrating Susan’s Life

Using his ‘Georgie’ facade, Martin engineers a way to leave his own home and move into the boarding house run by Susan’s mother, Joan. Living under the same roof as Susan, Martin’s infatuation grows. However, maintaining the dual identity of the vulnerable ‘Georgie’ and the calculating ‘Martin’ becomes increasingly difficult.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Martin Durnley (Hywel Bennett): A deeply troubled young man who adopts a childlike alter-ego to pursue a young woman, eventually descending into violent psychopathy.
• Susan Harper (Hayley Mills): A kind young librarian who becomes the target of Martin’s dangerous obsession after showing him sympathy.
• Joan Harper (Billie Whitelaw): Susan’s mother and the owner of the boarding house who unknowingly takes in the unstable Martin/Georgie.
• Henry Durnley (Frank Finlay): Martin’s stern and disapproving stepfather whose desire to rid the family of Martin becomes a motive for murder.
• Enid Durnley (Phyllis Calvert): Martin’s overprotective mother whose coddling contributes to his arrested development and psychological issues.
• Gerry Henderson (Barry Foster): A crass boarder at the Harper house who has a relationship with Joan and plays a role in discovering a crime.
• Shashi Kumar (Salmaan Peerzada): A boarder and medical intern who offers Susan a potential explanation for Martin’s behavior.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Narrator: “Ladies and gentlemen, in view of the controversy already aroused, the producers of this film wish to re-emphasize what is already stated in the film, that there is no established scientific connection between Mongolism and psychotic or criminal behaviour.” – Spoken at the beginning of the film as a disclaimer due to the controversial nature of the plot’s premise.
• Martin: “Georgie wants to take it to his brother.” – Said in his ‘Georgie’ persona when caught shoplifting a toy duck, offering a fabricated reason for his actions.
• Martin: “My name is Georgie Clifford.” – Said when initially presenting his childlike alter-ego to strangers, including Susan, to gain sympathy and appear harmless.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Twisted Nerve Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I finally tracked down ‘Twisted Nerve’ and wow, that whistle theme immediately got stuck in my head, thanks Quentin Tarantino! I went in knowing about the controversy, and yeah, some of the ‘psychobabble’ is cringe by today’s standards. But man, Hywel Bennett as Martin/Georgie is genuinely unsettling. He flips from innocent man-child to cold sociopath so convincingly; it’s hard to watch sometimes but in a good, creepy way. Billie Whitelaw is fantastic too, adding some real depth. The film isn’t a fast-paced slasher, it’s more of a slow dread building up. The atmosphere is thick, and while the violence isn’t graphic, the moments it does appear are shocking. It feels very much of its time but still manages to get under your skin. Definitely worth seeing for the performances and that iconic score alone, just be prepared for some outdated thinking.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic British psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in cult films with controversial themes”
  • “Followers of director Roy Boulting or actors Hywel Bennett, Hayley Mills, or Billie Whitelaw”
  • “People who appreciate Bernard Herrmann’s film scores”
  • “Those interested in films that influenced later works (like Kill Bill)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and Murder (some off-screen)”
  • “Mature Thematic Elements (psychological disturbance, obsession)”
  • “Brief Nudity”
  • “Dated and potentially offensive views on mental health/disability (explicitly addressed by a disclaimer)”
  • “Instances of racism and sexism reflective of the era”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb User Review: “While dated and controversial for its misguided psychological theories, ‘Twisted Nerve’ features an incredibly strong performance by Hywel Bennett, who masters the shift between charming ‘Georgie’ and sinister Martin. The film is more character study than slasher, benefiting greatly from Bernard Herrmann’s haunting score and solid supporting turns, particularly Billie Whitelaw. It might be slow-burn, but Bennett’s chilling presence makes it a worthwhile, albeit flawed, psycho-thriller.
• IMDb User Review: “This British thriller struggles under outdated ideas and questionable plotting, yet shines due to its cast. Hywel Bennett is captivatingly creepy as the lead, and Billie Whitelaw delivers a memorable, BAFTA-winning performance. The film leans heavily on psychological tension rather than gore, offering a dark, unsettling atmosphere. While not a perfect film, its distinctive Herrmann score and strong acting make it a notable, if controversial, period piece.
• IMDb User Review: “Despite its controversial premise that required an opening disclaimer, ‘Twisted Nerve’ is an effective thriller channeling Hitchcockian vibes, particularly ‘Psycho’. Bernard Herrmann’s score is a highlight, featuring that unforgettable whistle. Hywel Bennett is chillingly good as the manipulative protagonist. While the film is overlong and some plot points feel contrived, it creates genuine unease and is a fascinating example of 60s British psychological horror.

Audience Reactions

Hywel Bennett’s performance as the disturbed protagonist is frequently cited as the film’s strongest asset.: Many viewers highlight Bernard Herrmann’s iconic whistling theme as instantly recognizable and a major contributor to the film’s unsettling atmosphere. The comparison to Hitchcock and other British psychological thrillers of the era (like ‘Peeping Tom’) is also common. Billie Whitelaw’s acting often receives praise.

Overall Consensus: A controversial but well-acted and atmospherically chilling British psychological thriller, primarily remembered for its unsettling lead performance and iconic Bernard Herrmann score, despite its now-outdated premise.

Awards

1. British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) (Best Supporting Actress)- 1969

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Sir Alfred Hitchcock cast Barry Foster and Billie Whitelaw in his film Frenzy (1972) after seeing their performances in Twisted Nerve.”
• “The whistling theme song by Bernard Herrmann, often noted for its unsettling simplicity, was famously incorporated by Quentin Tarantino in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) for the character Elle Driver.”
• “Due to controversy regarding a potential perceived link between Down Syndrome and criminal behavior, the film opens with a spoken disclaimer stating there is no scientific connection.”
• “The house used as the Harper family residence in the film was the real-life home of actress Hayley Mills and her family at the time of filming.”
• “Screenwriter Leo Marks, who contributed to the script, also wrote the screenplay for the controversial British psychological horror film Peeping Tom (1960).”

🖥️ How to Watch Twisted Nerve?

Finding ‘Twisted Nerve’ (1968) can be challenging as it’s a classic British psychological thriller often considered a cult film. While not consistently available on major subscription streaming platforms like Netflix or Max, you may find it available for digital purchase or rental on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu. Check these services for current availability. Physical media like DVD or Blu-ray may also be an option, though releases can be out of print. Searching for ‘Twisted Nerve buy’ or ‘Twisted Nerve stream’ on these platforms is recommended.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Twisted Nerve, you might like these similar films:

• Psycho (1960): A seminal psychological thriller featuring a disturbed protagonist, a motel setting similar to a boarding house, and a shocking twist, which heavily influenced the style and themes of Twisted Nerve.
• Peeping Tom (1960): A controversial British psychological horror film from the same era, also exploring the mind of a disturbed man with a dark past and violent tendencies, and sharing a screenwriter (Leo Marks).
• The Collector (1965): A British thriller that delves into themes of psychological obsession, manipulation, and the captivity of a young woman by a disturbed man, echoing Martin’s targeting of Susan.
• Primal Fear (1996): Features a central character who may be faking a dissociative identity disorder to manipulate others and escape consequences, mirroring Martin’s calculated use of the ‘Georgie’ persona.
• Frenzy (1972): Alfred Hitchcock’s return to British thrillers, notable for featuring key cast members (Billie Whitelaw, Barry Foster) who appeared in Twisted Nerve, showcasing a later example of the British suspense genre.

🛒 Twisted Nerve Related Products

• Twisted Nerve Blu-ray/DVD: Experience this cult British thriller in high definition. Often includes restored footage and bonus features like commentary or interviews delving into its controversial history and production.
• Bernard Herrmann: The Film Scores (Collection): A compilation featuring the works of legendary composer Bernard Herrmann, including the iconic ‘Twisted Nerve’ theme, alongside his scores for films like ‘Psycho’, ‘Vertigo’, and ‘Taxi Driver’.
• British Psychological Thrillers of the 1960s Book: An analytical book exploring the wave of dark, unsettling psychological thrillers produced in Britain during the 1960s, placing ‘Twisted Nerve’ within its cinematic and social context.
• Twisted Nerve Whistle Theme Merchandise: Merchandise featuring imagery or text related to the film’s famous whistling theme, potentially including t-shirts, mugs, or posters with minimalist designs referencing the tune or movie title.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Main Theme” – performed by Bernard Herrmann
• “Madeleine” – performed by John Addison & Roy Boulting

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This Aged Great! Episode 8: Twisted Nerve #comedy #podcast #movie #moviereview #funny #movies

Ever wonder if classic thrillers like ‘Twisted Nerve’ still pack a punch decades later? This podcast episode specifically tackles that, and honestly, hearing their thoughts on its legacy is pretty fascinating!

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