THE RANK ORGANISATION
Presents
A Peter Rogers Production
Starring
JOAN COLLINS as Carol Radford
JAMES BOOTH as Jim Radford
RAY BARRETT as Harry
SINEAD CUSACK as Rose
TOM MARSHALL as Lee Radford
KENNETH GRIFFITH as Seely
ZULEIKA ROBSON as Jill Radford
ANGUS MACKAY as The Priest
GEOFFREY HUGHES as Delivery Man
BARRY ANDREWS as Sergeant
PATRICK MCALINNEY as George
Assistant Director - Stuart Freeman Director of Photography - Ken Hodges Art Director - Lionel Couch Music by Eric Rodgers Screenplay by John Kruse Edited by Tony Paulk Executive Peoducer - Peter Rogers
Produced by George H Brown Directed by Sidney Hayers
Canadian Video Sleeve |
When ten year old Jenny Radford is molested and murdered, her parents are determined to bring the murderer to justice. A hermit named Seely is the prime suspect, but is let out of police custody, due to the lack of evidence. Jim Radford, along with his son and a friend, abduct Seely and hold him prisoner under the public house he owns! Will the Radford family cope with the unseen presence and the tension that is mounting? Can they keep The Terror Under The House, locked Behind The Cellar Door?
Will they ever satisfy their thirst for Revenge?!
(c) 1971 Rank 89 Mins Region 2 DVD from DD Home Entertainment UK.
JOAN LEARNS HOW TO PULL! |
"Revenge" was the second of two films Joan appeared in for her old bosses at The Rank Organisation. She also appeared in "Quest For Love", which was almost filmed back to back with this release. Both films were produced by Peter Rogers, most famous for the "Carry On" series of comedy film. "Revenge" was set around a small town public house called "The Crown", with the interior of the pub constructed at Pinewood Studios, with great attention to detail. The film's exteriors were shot at nearby Little Marlow in Buckinghamshire. The popular firm of brewers at that time, Bass Charrington provided the fittings and the alcholol for the production, with Joan having lessons in how to pull a pint! Joan's co-star James Booth was delighted to get the role of Jim Radford, as he previously was more associated with light comedy roles. He commented at the time.
" Until "Revenge", nobody would take me seriously. But this is undoubtedly the best acting part I've ever had!"
Joan had just filmed "Quest For Love" and said of her role in "Revenge".
" "Quest For Love" was a different kind of film. This time there is no glamorous wardrobe by St Laurent or Dior! For the first time in my career, I found myself playing a publican's wife, a barmaid. I had never pulled pints i a pub before and I had great fun learning about life on the other side of the bar. It was a fascinating part, quite unlike any other I've ever been offered."
After the film's release Joan commented on the film.
" Although it was not a box office hot or a work of art, an actor acts and a baker bakes and I needed the bread!"
GREEK VIDEO SLEEVE |
"Revenge" probably seemed daring at the time, as it dealt with the rape and murder of a child, but viewed today it can be best viewed as an entertaining slice of 70's sensationalism. While over the top in it's protrayal of it's subject, Joan is believable as the tough yet fragile landlady. The film was saddled with various silly titles in the USA , including "Terror From Under The House" and "Beyond The Cellar Door".
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