The Fiend (1971)

Around 1974, I'm guessing a law was passed outlawing the making of strange and bizarre horror movies in the UK. What other reason could there be for the glut of such movies between the mid-60s and mid-70s...then nothing.

OK, studios going bust probably played a part too, but it's sad that we don't make trashy cinema the way we used to. Although after watching The Fiend (aka Beware My Brethren), you might disagree.

The Fiend was directed by Robert Hartford-Davis, who was knocking out a fine line in exploitation horror at the time. It's the tale of a religious sect known as The Brethren, which has taken control of a widow (Birdy Wemys) and her unstable son Kenny. Filled with a religious mania from their teachings, Kenny Wemys (great name and played by Tony Beckley of Get Carter and Italian Job fame) is compelled to kill in the name of God, recording the killings to play back on tapes he mixes with the religious rants of the sect's leader - The Minister (Patrick Magee).

Sound fairly straightforward so far? Well, there's more. Kenny is a swimming pool attendant by day and a security guard by night, dressed in a uniform not a million miles from the S.S. After killing his victims, he then drives round in his Ford Escort van disposing of the bodies. I've no idea when he sleeps. Oh yes, and the sect's congregation occasionally break out into some early 70s laid back psych grooves.

It's certainly a violent film, especially for the era. So violent that there's two versions - the one shown on late-night TV is a good 10 minutes shorter than the full version. The edits are mainly from the brutality of the killings - and to be honest, I can do without that. It's also a very messy movie, shifting from horror to crime flick then to musical at will. And the ending is just all over the place, but certainly not what you'd expect.

So can I recommend it? Well, yes. It's another great period piece with a great soundtrack and a plot that might tail off a bit, but still has enough legs to keep you interested. Not available on DVD right now, but a regular on late night TV. And if anyone knows anything about the soundtrack - featuring Maxine Barrie - let me know.

Comments

[paul bareham]

Love, love, love the film, especially the music. Maxine Barry is now Britain's top Shirley Bassey impersonator. The film was released as a Redemption Region 1 DVD, but I don't know if it's still available.

Good choice. Do you have a copy? I lost mine. Would be up for a trade, maybe?

[dom]

H Davis' films are ripe for rediscovery...his messy & lurid style in the few films he made is distinctive, "The Smashing Bird I Used To Know" is another crazed oddity. According to Dennis Waterman's autobiography, he was a real bastard, he quotes him as saying (re "Smashing Bird") "I auditioned 150 girls for this film...& screwed half of them".

No doubt any power his films have is due to incompetence on Davis' part. The BBC shows "The Fiend" alot (and "Bloodsuckers").

I saw the s/track for "Smashing Bird" on ebay a while ago...was "The Fiend" was ever released as a soundtrack? Rarer than hen's teeth if it was.

[Llewi Bishop]

http://www.amazon.com/Fiend-Ronald-Allen/dp/B0006L0LJ8 you can buy the film here