JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonPeeping Tom (1960) - Trailer Included
October 29th 2007 00:00
The Voyeuristic Death of Artistic Compulsion
Peeping Tom available on DVD in Australia
Starring:Carl Boehm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley
“Do you know what the most frightening thing in the world is? It's fear.” – Mark Lewis
Described as “filthy”, “beastly” and “pornographic” by the critics and public that slaughtered it, Peeping Tom is the film that destroyed the career of prolific A Grade Director Michael Powell.
After being dismissed, banned and considered trash upon release now viewed through modern eyes it is a work of profound insight. A psychological horror film that bleeds into the real world audience because of its lead characters obsessed voyeurism. Going beyond Hitchcock’s Rear Window and later inspiring the French New Wave revolution of Blow Up.
Mark Lewis is a cameraman for a movie studio. In his downtime he takes smut photos for a porn dealer. Quiet and unassuming, this handsome man exudes a timid persona but hidden beneath the skin is a murderous monster.
“Whatever I photograph I always lose.” – Mark Lewis
The product of callous experiments by his scientist father, detached from his own morality Mark’s butchered psyche drives a murderous urge to stalk women with his lens as he attempts to capture pure terror in the face of his dying victims.
Justifying his actions by operating under the guise of making a 16mm documentary on the cause and effects of extreme fear, he is thrown into a maelstrom of paradox when he meets Helen Stephenson.
“Take me to your cinema” – Mrs Stephenson
Helen lives downstairs with her blind mother and as the relationship develops he begins to see the truth of his predicament, but can he act on what he has learnt or will his compulsions continue?
“Instinct's a wonderful thing, isn't it, Mark? A pity it can't be photographed. If I'd listened to it years ago, I might have kept my sight. I wouldn't have let a man operate I had no faith in.” – Mrs Stephenson
Mutated Beauty and Tempation
John Doe says:
Examining the complex motivations of society’s attraction to violence and putting a mirror up to the viewer this clinical study of artistic addiction is constantly unnerving. The non-judgemental treatment of its ugly subject is frightening with its chilling observations.
Dwelling in a more ambiguous and ugly world than 1960’s audiences were adept to deal with it is easy to see why this near masterpiece was decried upon release, it forces the viewer to acknowledge the cold society that was usually hidden in cinema.
Artistically Director Michael Powell, (They’re a Weird Mob, the Red Shoes, Black Narcissus, 49th Parrel, Thief of Baghdad) delicately strokes the conflicted lead character while always making sure that his depraved motivations ensure the often morally questionable prey is sympathetic. Unspoken sexual fetish underscores brutal demise.
Suspense builds as the camera shifts from the first person to observe the wider frame and we are forced to readjust our uncomfortable desires. Adding to the conflict, Mark’s acquaintances in the film are more nihilistic because of they possess a self awareness he lacks, they consciously destroy others emotions.
The technical skill on display is faultless, the sets ups, sound and editing all communicating inner mechanisms and provide icy atmosphere. Tension grows, the brightly coloured frames slice away like a surgical scalpel to reveal hidden truths about primal human behaviour.
Written by former WWII cryptographer and code breaker Leo Marks, the screenplay is an exercise in honed structure.
The cast’s performances are the final ingredient in the deliberate celluloid realism. Carl Boehm as the lead evokes a response with every wince of an eye, nervous tremble and stuttered delivery.
Anna Massey as the potential for redemption under plays her part effectively. The rest of the players also use striking physicality so sometimes you remember a face or a moment better than the lines uttered.
This week being Halloween, John Doe decided that it was appropriate to address some of his favourite horror films and this is certainly one. This dark character study has since been mimicked and refined by films like One Hour Photo but somehow when watching it there is still the feeling it is ahead of it’s time.
It is a travesty that someone of Michael Powell's caliber ended up exiled to Australia because of this films controversy, but his vast filmography of quality work guarantees he will always be revered
Martin Scorsese discusses Peeping Tom.
The original Trailer
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Austere and uncompromising.
A bold and intelligent film for acquired tastes.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
This one certainly falls into the ahead of its time arena, in teh year 2007 it still doesn't feel dated at all...in fact it still has a freshness to it
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Peeping Tom has been available in Australia on DVD for a few years now. Its not a bad transfer, but it does come without extras, unlike the US Criterion edition..