this is the most modern hitchcock film that i have watched of late, with it actually being his penultimate picture. the relaxation of censorship laws between the 1960's and 1970's is displayed incredibly well in the difference between "frenzy" and hitchcock's own "psycho", a film which saw release some 12 years earlier in 1960. both films are examinations of sexual-based slayings, yet the later film is much more provocative in its visual language. theres the famous old misconception that in the infamous "psycho" shower scene there are brief glimpses of a breast and an entrance wound, which is rather funny consider the nature of the graphic murder sequences in "frenzy" (in which there are several breasts on show).
hitchcock's return to his homeland is marked by a momentous opening shot, soundtracked by an equally huge score. london is very much a character in "fenzy", much in the same way that san francisco is in "vertigo". the camera work is beautiful, especially significant considering the challenges of filmmaking in such high profile locations as covent garden. the most impressive moment comes at the point were the character of 'babs' goes into the bedsit with the killer. the pullaway shot, leaving the dank house and ending on the street outside is very impressive, especially with traffic and people flowing between the camera and source.
to be perfectly honest i found "frenzy" to be too much hard work, it actually took me several none-starts to get through the whole thing. and while its ambition is great it lacks the heart and downright style of hitchcock's earlier work.
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