Fright

Fright

Year: 1971

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Peter Collinson

HorrorThrillerHorror the undead and monster classicsIntense violence and sexual transgressionGory gruesome and slasher horror

Amanda, a young babysitter, arrives at the Lloyds’ home to watch their son for the evening. After the parents leave, eerie disturbances in the gloomy old house heighten her anxiety. The nightmare escalates when the boy’s biological father, recently escaped from a nearby mental institution, shows up, turning the night into a terrifying ordeal.

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Timeline & Setting – Fright (1971)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Fright (1971). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

large estate in the woods, restaurant, psychiatric institution

The story centers on a remote, secluded estate tucked among the woods, where Amanda babysits for Helen and Jim. The house is thick with locks on the front door, creating a claustrophobic, watcher-filled atmosphere. Settings move between the estate’s interior, a restaurant where Helen dines, and references to a psychiatric institution, all of which heighten the sense of danger looming over the night.

🌲 Woods 🏰 Estate 🚪 Locks on doors

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:44

Main Characters – Fright (1971)

Meet the key characters of Fright (1971), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Amanda (Susan George)

A college student who takes on babysitting duties at the secluded estate. She grows increasingly wary of the noises, the watcher outside, and the air of danger surrounding Helen and Jim. Throughout the night, she must navigate fear and manipulation to protect Tara and herself.

🗝 Resourceful 👀 Suspense 🧭 Courageous

Helen (Honor Blackman)

One of the homeowners and a protective figure for Tara. Her interactions reveal strained relationships and the tension of an unstable household. She arrives with the others as the crisis escalates and becomes a focal point in coordinating with authorities.

🗝 Family 🧭 Protective 👁️ Tension

Jim (George Cole)

Helen’s partner who, along with Helen, leaves at the start and later returns amid the unfolding danger. His presence helps frame the domestic setting that is interrupted by the intruder’s intrusion and the police standoff.

🏛 Domestic 🔎 Mystery 👁️ Suspense

Tara (Tara Collinson)

The young child under Amanda’s care, who becomes a key target and is kept close during the night. Her safety is central to Amanda’s actions, and she is passed to Helen during the climax.

👶 Child 🛡 Vulnerable 🏃‍♀️ Rescue

Brian (Ian Bannen)

Helen’s ex-husband, an escaped patient who invades the home with violent intent. His presence elevates the threat level as he murders Chris and engages in a tense confrontation with the police.

🗝 Ex-husband 🔪 Violent 🌀 Unstable

Chris (Dennis Waterman)

Amanda’s boyfriend who appears at the door and becomes a casualty of Brian’s violence. His confrontation with Brian sets off the night’s deadly sequence.

💔 Casualty 🔪 Violent 🕯 Tension

Dr. Cordell (John Gregson)

A doctor who is dining with Helen and Jim and who assists in contacting the psychiatric institution about Brian’s escape. He helps coordinate the response with the authorities.

🩺 Medical 🧭 Advisory 🕵️ Informant

Inspector (Maurice Kaufmann)

A police inspector involved in the standoff, working with Dr. Cordell to coax Brian out of the house and manage the situation.

👮 Police 🧭 Protocol 🔒 Standoff

Constable (Roger Lloyd Pack)

A police constable who is part of the armed response to the intruder and helps secure the premises during the crisis.

👮 Police 🛡 Security 🕵️ Duty

Sergeant (Michael Brennan)

A member of the police team aiding in the operation surrounding Brian’s intrusion and the subsequent confrontation.

👮 Police 🧭 Coordination 🛑 Tension

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:44

Major Themes – Fright (1971)

Explore the central themes of Fright (1971), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👁️ Stalking

The narrative builds tension through constant surveillance and the threat of an unseen intruder. Amanda and Brian’s presence in the house becomes a game of cat and mouse, with danger arriving from outside and danger lurking in the Home’s rooms. The sense of being constantly watched drives fear and quick, reactive decisions.

🕵️ Secrets

Hidden relationships and past events drive the conflict: Helen and Jim’s dynamic is unsettled, and Brian is revealed as the ex-husband with a dangerous history. The doctor’s involvement and the institution’s call add layers of mystery about who truly controls the situation. Deception underpins many of the night’s actions and motives.

🔒 Confinement

The large estate and its many doors become a physical embodiment of entrapment, intensifying fear and the threat of violence. Locking, unlocking, and the standoff at the door create a sense of enclosure that amplifies every confrontation. The interior spaces are used as stages for escalating danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:44

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Fright Summary

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Fright Summary

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