An exceptionally good outing of the splendid "Thriller" anthology.
In this story, Arthur Page, a psychopath, escapes en route to custody after being convicted of the killings of a number of women. At the same time Julie, a secretary, is about to meet a client she has never seen at Waterloo station to give him the proceeds of a will and take him to a large country house he has inherited. By chance she and Page meet up at the station. As they head off there is no way of contacting her to warn her of the great danger she faces, while she cannot contact others for help. However Page is not the only dangerous person on the loose ...
This brilliant story is quite captivating. Norman Eshley is quite superb as the superficially charming but utterly deadly and disturbing Page. The character evokes some sympathy as he is clearly tortured by his problems but cannot control his behaviour. The powerful last scene makes clear that he has no responsibility for his actions.
Throughout Julie never quite understands the true risks, although she is unsettled by him. Katharine Schofield is in impressive form as Julie, a far more complex character than first thought, while Garrick Hagon appears in a notable cameo as her boyfriend. In true "Thriller" style there is a marvellous twist that shows all the main figures in a new light.
For historical reasons this is also very intriguing. In this age of the mobile phone the story could not happen - Julie would not be incommunicado and she and her employers could alert each other of danger. Of course it is this lack of contact that makes her predicament much more unsettling.
The police scenes are a little cliched and some of the remarks about women - not just from the obviously misogynistic Page - are clearly from a less politically-correct age. However this remains gripping and quite indispensable entertainment if you are lucky enough to come across it.