Revenge! (1971)

What a beautiful movie!

Best movie ever!

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

But instead, she's holding the man hostage whom she believes impregnated her daughter, rejected her call for help when she told him that she was pregnant and then committed suicide. Winters seems to be playing a religious freak, cursing Bradford Dillman out at every turn as she keeps him locked in a cage in her basement. Shelley is fascinating to watch, an intense method actress who takes every action seriously as her character gets more and more demented. Dillman's partner (Stuart Whitman), wife (Carol Ann Rosen) and her friend (Leslie Charleson) try their best to find out what happened to him, with Charleson taking Rossen to see a "clairvoyant". Rossen seems intent on emulating Winters' performance, the wrong choice to make. Charleson, "General Hospital's" Dr. Monica Quartermaine for 40 years, is much more relaxed, reminding me of a young Farrah. Refreshingly short, this is one of several memorable TV "hag horror" movies of the week (and one of several made with Shelley) is fun, a bit spooky, and when Winters is on screen, mesmerizing.

Husband and father Bradford Dillman has an important briefcase full of documents switched on purpose by a vengeful woman hoping to lure him into her basement trap; that lady is none other than Shelley Winters, once again showing her mettle as a forceful, off-balanced foe. Well-made TV-movie isn't the straightforward thriller it may first appear to be. The missing man's wife, who is 'sensitive' to psychic vibrations, consults with a professional mind-reader to locate her husband (after the police department proves to be indifferent, natch). It all leads to a somewhat strenuous conclusion that piles up both bodies and improbabilities. Winters, however, is a villainess to contend with right up to the end; she pulls off some creepy dramatic scenes without going too far over the top (Kathy Bates might have studied this performance before "Misery"). Interesting work from the entire cast, particularly Carol Rossen, a real wild card as Dillman's spouse (you can't quite get a reading on her, which works for the role). Joseph Stefano adapted his teleplay from a novel by Elizabeth Davis, which doesn't bear close scrutiny. Dominic Frontiere composed the eerie music; talented John Alonzo was the cinematographer.

I saw this movie a few years ago and thought it was one of the most clever psychic / thriller / psycho movies I'd ever seen. I wish it was available on DVD / VHS or was on TNT. Shelly Winters's daughter commits suicide after a guy breaks her heart. Shelly kidnaps the guy so as to take revenge. The guy's wife finds him via ESP and working with a fake psyhcic who comes to believe that ESP is real. Many other clever twists and a generally very cool movie (the guy Shelly kidnapped isn't the one who broke her daughter's heart, and......well I don't wanna ruin it). Great flick! Should be remade today with Kathy Bates (Dolores Claiborne) in the lead role, Kevin Costner as Frank Tanner - would be a blockbuster!

REVENGE is a beautiful TV film that stays with you even after you watch it. It's a decent film written by Joseph Stefano the creative genius behind Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO and the slasher TV film HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. It's a great little rarity that I have and I am glad that I have this film.SUMMARY: Frank Klaner (Bradford Dillman) loses his briefcase at his place of work. Amanda Hilton (Shelley Winters) phones Mr. Klaner, telling him she has his briefcase and can pick it up at her home. He goes late night to her home, where he is knocked out and locked in a cage in the woman's basement. Dianne Klaner (Carol Eve Rossner), the man's wife calls the police and has them investigate. But why is Frank locked up? What has he done? Can the police find him before it is too late?I love the setting in the disgusting, dark basement. I really love this movie. The acting is great, especially from Winters and Dillman who have a wonderful relationship onscreen. Winters is terribly menacing and that's what makes the film memorable. RECOMMENDATION: A Taste of Evil (1971) (TV) which stars Barbara Stanwyck. **** stars, 10/10. SEE THIS MOVIE IF THE CHANCE COMES UP!!!!!!