Midnight Screenings: Ozploitation! 2010 / Patrick / Australia 1978
A legendary, surreal horror film, about a paralyzed murderer who employs telekinesis to terrorize those around him, transforms its absurd premise into a rather disturbing tale. Effective quick editing and chilling shots of the lifeless demonic character and his permanently staring eyes are still capable of traumatizing audiences.
Three years ago, Patrick killed his mother and her lover. He then fell into a coma and since that time he has been cared for at a private facility. By order of the head doctor, who has his own plans for the lifeless body, Patrick’s life is maintained despite diminishing odds that he will ever wake up. A newly-arrived nurse is responsible for his body, with its permanently opened eyes and few manifestations of life: loud breathing and occasional involuntary spitting. The care facility starts witnessing bizarre, logic-defying incidents, especially around the nurse. Is it possible that Patrick is causing them to happen? This internationally acclaimed horror film focuses on impressively portrayed situations in which rationality loses the ground beneath its feet and plummets to a place of pure terror. Thanks above all to the demonic title character and his chilling eyes, this surreal tale of supernatural abilities takes on a rather disturbing tone.
125 min / Color, 35 mm
Director Richard Franklin
/ Screenplay Everett de Roche
/ Dir. of Photography Donald McAlpine
/ Music Brian May
/ Editor Edward McQueen-Mason
/ Producer Anthony I. Ginnane, Richard Franklin
/ Production Australian International Film Corp., Filmways Australasian
/ Cast Robert Thompson, Susan Penhaligon, Robert Helpmann, Rod Mullinar, Bruce Barry
/ Contact National Film and Sound Archive, IFM World Releasing Inc.
Richard Franklin (1948, Melbourne–2007, Melbourne) decided on a film career at an early age, and left for the United States in the late 1960s to study at the University of Southern California. Franklin was a longtime fan of Alfred Hitchcock, whom he met during his studies. After returning to Australia, he began directing the television series "Homicide” (1970) as well as short features. His feature debut was the obscene comedy The True Story of Eskimo Nell (1975), which he followed up with the popular ribald comedy about female sexuality, Fantasm (1976). Then came important cooperation with screenwriter Everett De Roche on the horror film Patrick, and on the thriller Roadgames (1981), conceived as a highway version of Rear Window (1954).
National Film and Sound Archive
McCoy Circuit, Acton, 2601, Canberra
Australia
E-mail: [email protected]
IFM World Releasing Inc.
1328 East Palmer Avenue, 91205, Glendale
United States of America
E-mail: [email protected]
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