Fear No Evil

The late 60's in the US produced some unforgettable TV-movies. 1967 had "Games" with Simon Signoret, 1969 gave us the strangely forgotten prize-winning "Male of the Species" with Anna Calder-Marshall & Sir Paul Scofield, and 1969 the erotic thriller "Fear No Evil". The casting was perfect, the writing intelligent, the direction impeccable. These were shows that didn't condescend to a TV audience nor pander to the lowest common denominator - all of these (note the latter 2 of the 3 sadly unavailable to date, and the former available as a used VHS at exorbitant prices) were examples of television that had the best of cinema, provoking, haunting, memorable, risk-taking, trail-blazing. In some ways the eroticism of these 3 TV shows was more daring than the X-rated "Midnight Cowboy". Hard to imagine network television today producing anything of comparable caliber, or to imagine people reminiscing and seeking out copies of the pap we are fed today 30-40 years from now. I would love to get my hands on these last 2, very different but equally entertaining and memorable shows, if only to explain to my offspring that once upon a time there was network television - and it was good. Bradford Dillman and Louis Jourdan were perfect opposites, both seductively charming opposite the virginal blonde beauty Lynda Day (later George), I can't imagine any other actors before or since taking this supernatural horror premise and making it so plausible. Excellent work by all -- so where is the DVD??? (an aside, did Louis Jourdan play Count Dracula before or after Fear No Evil? God, even RENFIELD was sexy in that one, in one memorable scene at least - although Frank Langella was also a honey - and the female star also played Claire in Zeffirelli's "Brother Sun Sister Moon". Must have been later, as he looked a lot older, and I had already left the States when it aired and didn't get to see it until the 80's)

I have a taped copy of this movie ...... somewhere. It is quite special, so I was surprised to find it unlisted in guidebooks such as Mauldin's. An important element involves a demonic force trying to seduce a young woman when she gazes into a mirror. Maybe it's just me, but the idea of an evil force from inside a mirror trying to distort your view of reality and control you seems particularly frightening --- of course one thinks of Dead of Night (1945), the old classic horror film. Also, the scenes where the demon is being summoned are quite disturbing --- the makers of the film seem to have had some special insight into demonology. Bradford Dillman is already dead for most of the movie, but he plays a great haunted spirit on both sides of the grave, and Louis Jourdan is good as the calm, rational psychiatrist trying to help the woman by any means possible, including unorthodox ones.

This hard to find made for TV movie is one of my all time favorites in the suspense department. The movie's plot is innovative and creepy without resorting to any of the hackneyed standard scare tactics that discredits so many other horror films. Outstanding performances by Carroll O'Connor and Louis Jourdan are a highlight and Marsha Hunt is also excellent as the mother who secretly does not have her son's fiancé best interests at heart. The movie's climax is also extremely well crafted and gripping as psychiatrist Louis Jourdan uses guile and creativity in his attempt to save Barbara from the antique mirror that seeks to possess her. I would recommend this movie to fans of the genre-if you can find it.

Another childhood favourite, does it still hold up.

For a made for TV film, hell yes!

There is: no big budget sets no big budget special effects no blood or splatter

but it works as the cast & story just work so well: A cast of excelent actors. Atmosphere and cheap 70s TV chroma key.

I think this film worked because of its limits. Yes some of the film looks a bit cheep when the scene isnt at night or in shadow but hell it works.

I hope this comes on bluray someday.

One of the most brilliant made for television films ever aired, it is sad to say, appears to be now a "Lost" film as Universal Pictures, after I did research on this title, has no print or material on this title in their vaults.

I know this as a fact when I worked with film historian, Philip J. Riley, when working together on my book of the making of "Fear No Evil" (BearManor Media 2012).

There is a 16mm in the Library of Congress, and there are prints in the hands of private collectors, but, it appears, that all 35mm materials were possibly junked before the idea recycling titles for VHS/laserdisc and DVD were thought of.

Hopefully, someone, or someplace (France?), has the materials so a beautiful digital restoration can be made.