Review of Fragment of Fear (1970) by Ted W — 27 Jan 2011

Could have used more Celi and greater time in Pompeii establishing the relationship that drives the drama, but otherwise this is a somewhat under-rated psych thriller that seems to garner unfair comparison to the earlier and better Blow-Up and later Profondo Rosso.

Although it bears a somewhat similar emphasis on a style, and is not strictly focused on the logical resolution of a central mystery - this is more about the shifting psychological state of the protagonist. Thus, we get multiple takes on supporting characters of varying creepiness and a nicely sinister and voyeuristic edge to Morris' cinematography.

Sarafian uses a fairly intrusive jazz score by Johnny Harris to appropriate effect. If anything it seems less bold than even the least discordant and experimental scores of Morricone in the decades before and after. Still, it works and the sardonic laugh and repeatedly threatening telephone calls help to build the tension as much as repeated sounds such as the buzz of flies. This is available through Sony/Columbia's dvd on demand service.