Taste of Fear Review

Review of Taste of Fear (1961) by screenqueeen: 👍 4.5/5

The Hitchcockian framing of this story helps set up a tone familiar with projects like PSYCHO and DIABOLIQUE but in TASTE/SCREAM OF FEAR it's really only the framing device. What it does from there is something more unique that only classic Hammer can deliver. Halfway through you think you've got a grip on everything and it seems to be more about something that has already happened and everyone's sort of adjusting to or waiting for the next step to take place but in each act you feel the weight of chess pieces inching closer and closer but you never see the board. This is the brilliance of using a Hitchcockian framing technique to your advantage; you know something's going on, but you also know almost everyone is oblivious or only partially aware. Then the chessboard is revealed and the endgame is afoot. This is arguably one of the best Hammer features I've ever had the pleasure of watching and comes HIGHLY recommended.