The Shout (1979)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The acting in this movie is really good.

This film may not be everyone's style of horror but it is my style of horror-thriller. It's not a typical story - quite different than most all horror-thrillers I have ever seen.This movie moves along a steady pace as Crossley (Alan Bates) tells Graves (Tim Curry) the story of how he moved himself into the home and the life of a married couple. Crossley tells the story of how he is not an average person, he is fluent in aboriginal magic and works his magic to get what he wants. Crossley also claims to have learned the killer aboriginal "Shout". Is all this true or is Crossley just a patient and not a visitor at the psychiatric hospital? Watch the film to find out.Yes this movie is GOOD - I personally think this one would make a great prime time movie to watch. (Some nudity and sexual content - so if you have young children you might want to wait until they are in bed to watch the film).8.5/10

Reminding me of the likes of the original Wicker Man in terms of style, The Shout is an unusual but very atmospheric film. While the story is compelling and very well-paced, there are some parts where it meanders slightly at the end where the film felt a little strange in its tone. Also the film is a little too short, I think the reason why the story meandered was to do with the attempt to wrap everything up before it was too late. And in regards to the DVD, the audio could've I agree been much better, it sounds a bit murky making some of the dialogue hard to hear That said, The Shout works in its atmosphere. The many moments that work are incredibly haunting, and the shout itself stuck in my mind for weeks. The Shout also looks very stylish, the scenery and costumes are wonderful, the lighting is appropriately bleak and the cinematography and editing add to the atmosphere without looking too slip-shod. The direction is very adroit and the dialogue is thought-provoking and very rarely over-the-top. The performances also help elevate. Alan Bates is brilliant, both John Hurt and Susannah York are perfect and Tim Curry is very effective in a smaller role.All in all, atmospheric and well done. 7/10 Bethany Cox

A horrifying film by Jerzy Skolimowski. Alan Bates is a mental patient who believes he can kill people with a fearsome shout, something he picked up while living amongst Australian aborigines. He insinuates himself into the lives of sound man John Hurt and his wife Susannah York. What follows is a game of soul-taking, wife-taking and out-and-out bedlam. Bates, never the most stable screen presence, is brilliantly frightening and Hurt and York are excellent. The sexual tension between Bates and York is palpable. Skolimowski infuses the film with an unrelenting sense of dread. It's reminiscent of other classy horror films of the time (THE WICKER MAN, DON'T LOOK NOW). A great, unheralded film from one of the great esoteric directors.

During a cricket game in the grounds of an asylum, patient Charles Crossley is telling a story to his opposite scorekeeper Robert. He tells of how he came across musician Anthony Fielding outside church one day, and he invited back home for dinner. Over dinner he tells Anthony and his wife Rachael that of his last two decades of living in the Australian outback, where he learned many spells from the aboriginal witch doctors and one being the shout. It can cause instant death when heard. Soon Charles settles into the homestead, where he has Anthony and Rachael under his thumb, as he fears him and she's infatuated by him.Weird, baffling and truly novel passes through my mind whenever I watch this sedately complex, courageous and alienating late 70's British experimental thriller. The way it has layer upon layer, goes on to ambitiously build a minor and gripping structure, which its inspired psychological strangle hold and mystical air takes shape as to how genuine the pieces are and if they do come together. Does it make sense? Well, it's hard to say what the bigger picture means, but it is indeed curiously haunting, daunting and truly unpredictable. The non-linear story and compact script chips away with plenty of cryptic messages inter-cutting the soft, dream-like touch brought on by director Jerzy Skolimowski. He gives the film such an hypnotic appeal amongst its arty brushes, where its swirling electronic score peaks in the right places and Mick Molloy's sublime framing emits elegant photography work. Those scenes involving the 'shout' are lethal, and only increase to the lurking eeriness created by top-notch sound FX. Visually the film has a powerful, isolated and lush setting that works with the story's spiritual and supernatural journey. The three lead performances are sensational, but it's Alan Bates who dominates the show with his startling and obscure turn as the tramp/patient. John Hurt as the downtrodden turned bewitched composer gives in a stellar performance and Susanna York, as his wife is also great. The talented Tim Curry shows up in a small, but effective role.Quite an unusual puzzle, which is strangely compelling, unique and very well made.