The Camera Leaves The Crime Scene | Frenzy (1972)

[@stephenle-surf9893]

It's the way it's showing the world carrying on as normal while something evil is taking place that gives you the chills isn't it?

[@lepetitchat123]

All the time around us

[@MrSebboxxx]

yes

[@Whosthis761]

Who knows maybe you walked past something like this without a clue

[@MVR326]

The same with Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist. Things that were beyond imaginable were going on in those homes, and outside that house, people were going about their business

[@jamesfrancis2574]

This scene shows the genius of Hitchcock. The silence before Rusk first speaks to her indicating the voice of death. His agitation as he walks alongside her, scouring for witnesses who may see them together. The climb of the stairs leading to the final words "You're my type of woman" sealing her fate. Then the slow pull back of the camera showing that behind any door or window horror may be taking place, while the rest of the world carries on unknowingly.

[@daddykornflakes]

Not to forget the line her utters en route ~ "You've got your whole life ahead of you," knowing that it's just about to end.

[@REECEM92]

Love this scene. The scary parts is when Babs is out the pub its all silent and Bob goes "Got a place to stay?" and the long silent shot after Bob shuts the door, as you know whats going to happen. Hitchcock filmmaking at its best.

[@jamesdrynan]

François Truffaut described " Frenzy " as a young man's picture. He meant that Hitchcock made decisions a more cavalier director would have taken. A perfect example of this is the choice to silence the background noise as Babs leaves the pub. Then to have Rusk magically appear behind her. The viewer knows he is the killer and that Babs is next. Brilliant and daring. Of course, the excruciatingly slow camera move down the stairs and out into the street while murder is going on is pure Hitchcock.

[@ArchieAndy27]

Such a brilliant film. He was so creepy as Rusk, then iconic as Van der Valk. Similarly, the casting of Anna Massey is a masterstroke

[@daffyphack]

Fantastic cut at 2:45 from set to location. Not quite seamless, but you definitely don't notice it on your first watch.

[@poetcomic1]

'A passing coat cut' as he used it in his ten minute takes for Rope but totally unnoticeable. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Yeah, it took me a few viewings to notice it

[@marcchervin8905]

Yeah and the thing that I always thought about and impressed me is how smooth the tracking was as the cameraman went down those stairs there were no pana glide or steady cams at that time so whoever did the camerawork their brilliant job. I'm not sure I ever noticed that edit before so good eye!

[@pauledwards6987]

Accepting that it is a brilliant shot, there is a clue if you spot the letters on the table. They are in different positions between the ‘studio’ shot and the street shot. Continuity fault!! Small detail but true.

[@timryan355]

Also, if you go into the building , it's actually the same set up.

[@philomath67]

Excellent film making. One of the most chilling scenes ever.

[@drparnassus2867]

The pleasure Rusk takes in telling Babs she has her whole life ahead of her is *exceedingly* creepy

[@Sootaroot]

At 1:40, Rusk says, "I'm on the second floor." They then ascend one flight of stairs, including the mid-landing where the camera is located, and reach the door of his flat. Rusk, being a Londoner, would call that the first floor, since street level is the ground floor. Hitchcock, as he frequently did in his movies, was looking first to his American audience.

[@bloggaloggs]

Also, FRENZY is actually an American film, set & shot in England.

[@rnw2739]

@@bloggaloggs Then (if Americans had any sense) they would try and use the language of Londoners....

[@bloggaloggs]

There's another example in the film, where a character gives a weight measurement in straight pounds. A Briton would have given it in a combination of stones & pounds.

[@Sootaroot]

@@rnw2739 What was it Oscar Wilde said about America and Britain being two countries divided by a common language? No, I can't remember either.

[@rnw2739]

@@Sootaroot What would that berk know? His native tongue was Gaelic.

[@PocketMarmo04]

When the camera returns to the street, it is very busy and noisy. Many years later in an interview, Hitchcock described the 'point' of this shot by saying - "Well, if the poor girl screams, no one is going to hear her . . . . . ."

[@yellowbelly06]

I always think it shows that in a busy street environment no one actually knows what is going on behind a closed door just a few feet away, and that a life can easily be taken without anyone knowing even though crowds are nearby.

[@MrSebboxxx]

... and the viewer had already seen the first murder - so Hitchcock leaves all to our imagination ...

[@craigharris9185]

Sebastian Wendel Yes Hitchcock was such a master here. He shocks and disturbs the audience with the first attack and then disturbs u just as much by not showing anything but pulling back the camera to show the street with everyone going about their business completely oblivious to the horrible things happening several feet away. Masterful

[@PocketMarmo04]

@Sebastian Wendel Yes! that is an important point as well. The year was 1971 and audiences were much more easily shocked and far less jaded back then. Hitchcock is saying "I'm going to give you a reprieve here, you've already seen enough . . . . ."

[@MrSebboxxx]

@@PocketMarmo04 excactly

[@hihowareyouthen]

00:05 I love this part. For me, it's Babs' instinct...she senses something "off". Of course, it's Rusk. And what an amazing job he did of playing the baddie.

[@johnishikawa2200]

Listen to the hairs on your neck .

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Brilliant underated movie, my favourite Hitchcock.

[@MrSebboxxx]

... why underrated ... I always thought one of Hitchcocks best films ... cause of its realistic approach ...

[@rnw2739]

@@MrSebboxxx Because it is NEVER mentioned or talked about or cited alongside 'Psycho', 'The Birds', 'Vertigo' etc...

[@craigharris9185]

Yes so underrated. I think it’s one of his most disturbing and best films

[@annaritaranalli1791]

One of his best works as well soundtrack and original dubbing

[@ChubbyChecker182]

​@@rnw2739 Exactly 👍

[@spiderdude2099]

The way he looks at her when they’re climbing the stairs is chilling. And she doesn’t see any of it…

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Definitely

[@Ananas-Astra]

This scene is a masterpiece. I will never not get any chills.

[@robertsmith-dr5tm]

Notice when the camera slowly pans backwards down the interior staircase, that’s all a stage setting When the camera reaches the sidewalk someone walks in front of the camera; when they pass , the front entrance and hallway are slightly different as the camera continues the shot of the exterior of the actual building

[@mungreluk5810]

Up until he died recently, Id forgot Bernard Cribbins was in this film, as the pub landlord. He wasn't a baddie as such, just an unpleasant character who cared about Babs.

[@jakethekipper]

My fave Hitchcock film. It's lovely. LOVELY! LOVELY!! LOVELY!!!

[@nicolaloverre4524]

Wondering how many got it ;) LOVELY!

[@Aditya_Raj123]

😂

[@MrSebboxxx]

mine too :-)

[@Lennonlover06]

sicko

[@CliffnDonChappellDuncan]

He wanted Michael Caine, Vanessa Redgrave and Helen Mirren as Babs.

[@muslit]

Great filmaking.

[@DenkyManner]

Weird, unsettling silence. "oh it's you, Bob" "yeah" It's like on a supernatural level she knows and he confesses, but then normal reality floods back in. I have a lot of problems with this movie but this scene is brilliant. The scene in the potato truck is insane, and the detective eating dinner is quite funny. The lead doesn't work for me but Rusk is very good.

[@cybernautadventurer]

Very brave of the actor to play such a sick and perverted character

[@CupidStunt1512]

First time I watched this I thought “Michael Caine could have played this role” and then I found out he was Hitchcock’s first choice and turned it down

[@gregmcfarnon1140]

I can picture Caine in that role but he probably felt it wouldn't be great for his image.

[@josepetereo2123]

This genius never show the awfull things what show in your films, it's the great point in his films.

[@Andrew-j9p2d]

Ok

[@johnishikawa2200]

We know what must be happening to poor Babs in that flat . Nobody can save her .

[@PhflyDan1]

He could barely contain the vile evil inside him. Couldn't wait to get poor Babs inside and close that door...

[@successfulexcellent1646]

What a shame. Away from home, the chief of police had to eat ravenously as if he never had a decent meal, because his wife "ONLY THOUGHT" that she knew how to cook.

[@ΑρηςΖαχαρακης]

😂😂😂😂

[@MrSebboxxx]

... all the female roles in this movie are so impressiv well done ... the male roles too of course :-)

[@mutoromanof8487]

good old Covent Garden. It has lost its soul in the last decade or so.

[@DistantLights]

What happened?

[@annaritaranalli1791]

Beautiful scene

[@mikep5335]

Hitch is great at that audience teasing suspense: terrorizing the audience with a character's impending death

[@mutinyonthekitkat]

Stairs are always creepy in Hitchcock films.

[@lamoitte1]

Can the film be watched by a private person, or 'purchased' for a one-time-screening?

[@n.emilioaviles]

RIP Barbara Leigh-Hunt 1935-2024 😢

[@samgrimes1232]

Rip Barbara Leigh hunt 1935 2024 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤fucking great film btw 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 fantastic film ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SusannahAgnone]

Barry Foster rocks!

[@mikep5335]

I feel like women are a little more savvy these days about avoiding situations like these

[@mikep5335]

Going up to a flat alone with a guy she doesn't know very well...not that it's her fault...

[@1badjesus]

"WHAT COULD BE BEHIND THE DOOR IS SCARIER THAN WHAT IS" - Alfred Hitchcock Today we would've seen entire gruesome act but this is scarier, also note the ambient SOUND that decreases as they rise and INCREASES as camera decends. ALSO AT 0:49 his expression ..he DIDN'T LIKE that she touched him. AH was a BRILLIANT Director!! ..a shame he was a piece of dog shit in real life. QUESTION... wasn't she the "Vampire Sister" who kills her Brother in The Vault of Horror 1972 Movie?

[@porflepopnecker4376]

He wasn't "a piece of dog shit in real life" just because of a bunch of unproven stories.

[@Lennonlover06]

In the words of ingrid Bergmann, 'alfred hitchcock is an adorable genius'

[@planesteve]

"got a place to stay".............

[@ChubbyChecker182]

The somewhat Jarring cut from the internal shot of the doorway when the woman walks past at first feels like (relatively) bad film making, as it is not very smooth, and the colours of the hallway have a different tinge to them after...but now it feels to me like that tinge is like something bad has happened... The hallway has gone from being clean and white, to a yellowy nasty kind of colouring

[@rosemaryfranzese317]

This a Hitchcock film so of course it is extremely well made but I found it very distasteful and would never watch it again. Michael Caine agreed, he turned down the part of Bob Rusk because he found the character disgusting. Barry Foster had a very similar appearance to Caine. Apparently Hitchcock offered a major role to Max Bygraves but he was unable to take it due to his work schedule

[@mja91352]

So much for you

[@100Singers]

Turning down a role offered by Hitchcock is stupidity. By the way, a few years later good old Michael Caine played an even more perverted woman killer in DRESSED TO KILL.

[@tallpaska5913]

It's about a murderer who charms his victims into trusting him, it's supposed to be distasteful.

[@northcote3070]

In the movie who is the Lady got killed at last scene ?

[@bloggaloggs]

She is actually the daughter of actress Margaret Lockwood, who starred in Hitch's 1938 film THE LADY VANISHES.

[@postscript67]

@@bloggaloggs No, the last victim is played by Susan Travers, whose mother Linden Travers played the woman passenger on holiday with her married lover in "The Lady Vanishes". The same year that Frenzy was released, Susan Travers played the wife of TV detective Van der Valk, who was played by Barry Foster, the murderer in Frenzy.

[@annaritaranalli1791]

I guess those are false flats

[@faeembrugh]

No. The exterior is Henrietta Street which I know well. The staircase was shot in a studio though.

[@annaritaranalli1791]

Thanks a lot

[@willg4802]

Miss Marple was killed.

[@ryanhills4907]

When Bob killed Brenda he should have just turned himself in to the police

[@gregmcfarnon1140]

Yeah, great idea. That would have made a much better film.

[@giuliaclaudia5593]

Mi spiego le facce giuste le lasciano a loro

[@giuliaclaudia5593]

Perchè invece io non sono in realtà come nei video

[@giuliaclaudia5593]

È il livello piùbasic di femminilità Babs quella

[@giuliaclaudia5593]

Perchè sembra 16 anni

[@giuliaclaudia5593]

Una ragazza di 16 anni si può fare quel look

[@giuliaclaudia5593]

Borsettina