Fragment of Fear [HD]

Equal parts fear and suspense
I first saw this film on television in the 1980s, and was on the edge of my seat. This is, perhaps, a must see for all fans of David Hemmings, who delivers a totally believable perfomance as a former drug addict turned successful author. The plot involves the mysterious murder of the young author's aunt, plus an intricate web of blackmail, and the possible involvement of prominant political officials. The real mystery is exactly what the murdered woman was involved in, and with whom, since the murder is never solved. Furthermore, the possible political nature of the affair is made even more suspenseful by several attempts to drive the former drug addict insane, which are carrried out by someone who mysteriously knows everything about him. In the end, the viewer is left to decide exactly what did or did not happen, since there are no concrete answers, but only subtle implications. This is a brilliant and underappreciated suspense thriller that I highly recommend.

Superb Fim...Fantastic Soundtrack! Dont Miss!!
Another golden nugget from perhaps one of the best years in film, 1970. Fragement of fear is right dead center in a time when films looked wonderfull, natural lighting abounds in this film along with a soundtrack that is as important as the rest of the parts. Hollywood take note...you lost your way, now you need to find the path back to the vocabulary, look and forward thinking of 60/70's. It's long past due. Hat's off to director Richard C. Sarafian!!

Fragmented to the point of frustration
"Fragment of Fear" from 1970 stars David Hemmings the same year after he did "The Walking Stick" with Samantha Eggar and was directed by Richard C. Sarafian, the director who did "Vanishing Point" and then "The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing." He is the same author who worked on Warren Beatty's "Bugsy" and "Bulworth." "Fragment of Fear" is beautiful to watch, but as the disclaimer says, "Go ahead and tell the ending, if you can fit all the pieces together!" it is fragmented to the point of frustration and does not seem to let up and with the film being available now through Columbia Classics, one can watch it over and over to get all the clues. The writing by Oscar winner Paul Dehn and cinematography by Oscar winner Oswald Morris are standouts. Hemmings was a new kind of hero. But it all depends on that missing cohesiveness that one wonders if it is really there.

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