anthonymclaughlin86
Firstly I will say that this film definitely has an impact like the original 'Planet of Apes' with the late great Charlton Heston.However, with multiple viewing you will discover more and more about the lead character 'Talbot' - so believably played out by the under-rated talented actor Barry Newman, and the storyline will become even more engaging. I would simply recommend you either buy the DVD or await the Blue-Ray version when it comes out from the date I have posted this review.The supporting cast is very good, including Dolph Sweet, John Vernon, earliest appearance of Ben Kingsley (with some hair still) and the lovely Suzy Kendall.It is not until near the end of the film that you realise where the film is actually going with it's unique ending inside a mini-submarine (or Bath-Escape as it was called) called the Fathom. The car chase is well choreographed and in a Smokey and the Bandit style - even longer than the car chases in Bullitt and French Connection.Without going into too much detail, I have not read the book by the classic novelist Alistair MaClean, but if it is even better than the theatre adaptation of the story then maybe one day I will have to seek out the book, because this film, despite it's old age is a classic in my mind.Find it, and I guarantee you will like it a lot. It takes a bit of getting used to when seeing Barry Newman in a role like this, because he definitely has an 'un-likely' hero look about him. But the more you watch it, the more you will realise that he has the perfect face for the role.
Paul Jackson - Turner
This is one of my favourite movies of the 70's and in my opinion , very underrated. I certainly think it has the best car chase , ie; when the car is dented , it remains so in the next shot , not back to showroom condition ! ( the one in Bullitt is perhaps the coolest , but how many times does McQueen pass that green Beetle ! ) along with the great Roy Budd soundtrack. Barry Newman is great in the lead role , and although the plot is a bit far-fetched in places, it is great entertainment and has a good twist at the end , but I do think the underwater scenes looked a bit like the bottom of a goldfish pond ! One of those great movies nobody has heard of ! This is available on DVD in Scandinavian countries so grab a copy.
cato9007
Underrated in both cinematic and musical score terms, Fear is the iconic embodiment, of seventies real action cinema, without the gadgets. The haunting theme music by child prodigy Roy Budd("GET CARTER"). "God bless him", Is probably one of the greatest in cinematic history. Barry Newman(Petrocelli) and Vanishing Point, the original! Yet again another underrated actor, whom Hollywood did not completely embrace. Class performances from John Vernon, The charismatic Tony Anholt (The Protectors/Space 1999) put this movie in a league up there with few others. The eye candy provided by Suzi Kendal, is not disappointing. A "9" minute car chase to rival any. The ending will leave you gasping for breath. A must for anyone who wants some excitement in their lives, its a shame that a well known TV company who has the rights to this movie, does not screen it as often, as some of the lesser quality celluloid it transmits.
bob the moo
Drawn from Alistair McLean's book of the same name this is a solid thriller that twists and turns nicely throughout. Barry Newman is good as Talbot, the character who finds himself drawn into shady dealings. While the mobsters are adequate (including an early appearance by Ben Kingsley!).The twist are good but if you've read the book it really takes away from the movie as there is not a whole lot else to hold the interest. However the twists keep you guessing what people's motives are almost up till the end - having said that it's not in the league of Se7en or Usual Suspects so don't expect too much.The ending is a strange anti-climax to the film, I won't give it away but it is rather muted considering the plot up till that point.Overall a good story but let down by a lack of any real extended tension and a disappointing conclusion. Turn off the TV and go and read the book - it's much better!