Customer Reviews

Straight on Till Morning

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been wanting to see this rarely shown Hammer movie for a long time so it was great to finally get the chance with this superb release from Anchor Bay.This is a disturbing and quite shocking psychological thriller with some genuinely unsettling scenes that must have packed quite a punch in the early seventies.Rita Tushingham is brilliant as the northern girl who moves to London in search of a boyfriend to father the baby she desperately wants.Shane Briant is suitably creepy as the guy she eventually meets.The print used here is astonishingly clean and sharp.Absolutely pristine in fact.Well done Anchor Bay.Again.

For fans of Hammer, this film comes highly recommended.Set in modern London (1972), those familiar with the period Hammer pieces might expect a somewhat confused plot or hard to follow story. Whlie such Hammer films are still enjoyed by many, pleasingly, this is not the case here. This one should easily hold your attention from start to finish, and is truly a departure for Hammer, being a rather modern story, in a modern setting. For purposes of comparison, Fear In The Night comes closest, but Straight on Till Morning has a far better story to tell, is much clearer, and is therefore more rewarding. A genuinely enjoyable, substantial, and frightening thriller- you'll spend the length of the film trying to figure out the extent of madness to which Shane Briant's character has fallen into- not to mention wondering when, and if Rita Tushingham's character is about to be murdered by him. I was expecting a fairly average Hammer film with this one, but got much more.
Really interesting and unique piece for Hammer fans.

Another great example not to judge a movie on a "dumb" or uninspiring title. For years I skipped over this, glad I have finally taken a look.

As my review title indicates this may qualify as a "proto slasher", in my opinion. So slasher fans in particular may want to take a look for an early example of the genre that had it's "heyday" many years later (generally the 1980s). Having said that, obviously dont be coming in expecting "Friday the 13th"-type carnage! Their is a story here, and it's given more importance than the bloody body count.

Yes, the film is rather dated. The film takes place in early 70s London, and that shows in every way possible: the clothes,the hair, music,Pop Art,etc.. This is in no way negative to me, on the contrary I find it pretty cool and adds to it's interest. The film was edited in an "arty" style than what was typical at the time, with many jump cuts and so forth. Not nearly as obnoxious as modern movies that all seem to be shot like music videos, but it may be offputting to some. The jazzy score by Roland Shaw I found to be another asset, though I could have done without those cheesy vocal numbers! I normally really like the female-vocal-loungy-soundtrack stuff. I think the suspense was rather well carried out, mostly relying on the acting and power of suggestion. Though there is SOME blood on display here, for all you gore hounds! It is not completely limp.

If you enjoy Thriller/Suspense and Horror films, and can get over the dated appearances (and sounds), I think you'll agree this is worth a look. It held my interest right up to the ambiguous ending (which I personally loved),and I can see myself enjoying it again someday. I doubt this well ever be considered a genre classic, but you could do a LOT worse!

According to the liner notes provided by Anchor Bay for "Straight On Till Morning," Hammer House was in a financial slump in 1972. Hoping to correct the situation, Michael Carreras envisioned a double bill of psychological horror films made on a low budget. Both "Fear in the Night" and "Straight on Till Morning" involved women who are terrorized by killers. Released together under the heading of "Women In Terror," the movies fared poorly at the box office. Let's discuss "Straight on Till Morning."

This film has an excellent premise. Rita Tushingham stars as a homely, young woman who lives in a fantasy world. She writes children's stories about princesses being rescued by knights in shining armor. She travels to swinging London and meets Shane Briant. In her eyes, he is a prince. Unfortunately, we learn through a series of flashbacks that he seduces women and kills them for their money.

Shane Briant was excellent in "Demons of the Mind" because he looks anemic and sickly. He portrayed a young man who is kept locked in his bedroom. In "Straight on Till Morning," he still looks weak and pale faced and I can't imagine anyone but the loneliest being attracted to him. (A blind person could mistake the moles on his face for Braille.) One gorgeous young woman practically leaps into bed with him and is stabbed to death while still in his arms. How wimpy Briant was able to dispose of her body and quickly clean up the mess before Tushingham arrived home is unbelievable. A genuine Euro stud such as Jean Sorel, Fabio Testi, or George Hilton should've been cast in lieu of Briant.

Where was Briant hiding the bodies? Most all of the killing is implied or done off screen. There is virtually no gore. The lackluster ending had a lot of screaming that was more annoying than frightful.

"Straight on Till Morning" is too slow and anemic for modern audiences. Rita Tushingham's excellent performance is not enough to warrant watching this film. It is only recommended for Hammer Production completists. Please rent before paying a huge price for an out of print copy. It is so not worth it.

I bought this movie as I really like it as a teenager. It's very dated and VERY strange. My husband was bored right to death watching it, I had to turn it off and watch the rest when he went to bed, and that NEVER happens. I think I bought it for nostalgia's sake, and technology+ has come so far now that so many of my faves from yesteryear are just, well, tired and old. If you like weird movies, you might like this one. That's about all I can say about it.