Inspector Holloway (Patrick Wymark) investigates the violent murder of a solicitor, Klermer, whom was discovered with a lifelike doll beside his body. Holloway learns that Klermer - along with his closest friends, Frank Saville (Alexander Knox), Martin Roth (Thorley Walters) and Victor Ledoux (Robert Crewdson) - had served on an Allied War Commission at the end of the war and convicted a German industrialist, Von Sturm, for using slave labour and confiscated his estates. It transpires, however, that Klermer may have discovered evidence of corruption on the commission which, if proved, would see Von Sturm's estates restored. In addition, Von Sturm's widow (Margaret Johnston) is living in London with her son, Mark (John Standing), but is confined to a wheelchair and devotes her life to her collection of dolls. Further gruesome murders follow and, in each case, dolls are found beside the bodies.
Amicus - best known for their successful portmanteau horror films such as Dr Terror's House Of Horrors (1965) and Torture Garden (1967)- were Hammer's main rival genre production company throughout the sixties. The Psychopath is one of their rarer films but, also, one of their best and a DVD re-release is long overdue. It doesn't work as a whodunit because the identity of the murderer is obvious within the first ten minutes into the first reel, but cinematographer turned director Freddie Francis and his rich visual flair - his best horror films were always a triumph of style over content - makes it worth the price of admission. From the avant-guard title sequence in which a dismembered doll reassembles itself as the opening credits roll, the impressive set of Margaret Johnston's living room, which is packed full of dolls and the actress - who was brilliant in Night Of The Eagle - is delightfully and eerily over the top as Mrs. Von Sturm as she prowls around the set in her wheelchair attending to her dolls that she calls her "children" and uttering insane ramblings like "revenge" and "justice". In addition, the climax, when it comes, is genuinely horrific and beautifully staged by Francis. Patrick Wymark who offered a standout performance in another rare but must see Amicus film, The Skull, as a shady antiques dealer is excellent as Inspector Holloway and John Standing is outstanding as Johnston's son.
Overall, The Psychopath, while it is no good as a whodunit, succeeds thanks to stylish direction and good performances that adds up to an unsettling horror thriller that delivers an unexpected shock twist ending.
Amicus - best known for their successful portmanteau horror films such as Dr Terror's House Of Horrors (1965) and Torture Garden (1967)- were Hammer's main rival genre production company throughout the sixties. The Psychopath is one of their rarer films but, also, one of their best and a DVD re-release is long overdue. It doesn't work as a whodunit because the identity of the murderer is obvious within the first ten minutes into the first reel, but cinematographer turned director Freddie Francis and his rich visual flair - his best horror films were always a triumph of style over content - makes it worth the price of admission. From the avant-guard title sequence in which a dismembered doll reassembles itself as the opening credits roll, the impressive set of Margaret Johnston's living room, which is packed full of dolls and the actress - who was brilliant in Night Of The Eagle - is delightfully and eerily over the top as Mrs. Von Sturm as she prowls around the set in her wheelchair attending to her dolls that she calls her "children" and uttering insane ramblings like "revenge" and "justice". In addition, the climax, when it comes, is genuinely horrific and beautifully staged by Francis. Patrick Wymark who offered a standout performance in another rare but must see Amicus film, The Skull, as a shady antiques dealer is excellent as Inspector Holloway and John Standing is outstanding as Johnston's son.
Overall, The Psychopath, while it is no good as a whodunit, succeeds thanks to stylish direction and good performances that adds up to an unsettling horror thriller that delivers an unexpected shock twist ending.