Action takes precedence over characterization in "Fear Is The Key", but that's not necessarily a bad thing. There are great car stunts in the first half, and a memorable climax set underwater. Some of the plot twists are rather obvious, and John Vernon's casting gives away the identity of the chief bad guy almost instantly. Not that he doesn't make an excellent bad guy, as does Ben Kingsley, playing a seriously creepy hit-man in his film debut. Barry Newman is a solid antihero who sheds the "anti" as the film proceeds. Suzy Kendall is beautiful but not asked to do much, except for her participation in one close-quarters fight scene where she tries to help Newman. A successful film on its own modest terms. **1/2 out of 4.

This is one of those movies with a mammoth "I did not see that coming" moment. The set up for this startling revelation is quite convincing, and Barry Newman's motivation for revenge is overwhelmingly strong. Unheralded character actor, Dolph Sweet, steals every scene he is part of. Ben Kingsley with hair takes some adjusting to, but his acting is solid. Unfortunately John Vernon was not convincing as the head bad guy, perhaps because I can't get by thinking of him as Dean Wormer in "Animal House". The movie itself is extremely uneven, with a grabber opening, followed by a prolonged car chase that seems like it was yanked right out of a "Smokey and the Bandit" movie. The actual plot is murky and difficult to follow, but is pulled together quite well in the showdown conclusion. Recommended for the unusual twisted plot and some solid performances. - MERK

'Fear Is The Key' is an underrated action movie from 1972, based on the bestselling novel by Alistair Maclean. When I was at school, Mac's books were on the list of most popular 'behind the bike shed' reading, along with Fleming's 'James Bond' novels, 'Jaws' by Peter Benchley, and 'The Exorcist' by William Peter Blatty. Mac knew how to spin a yarn alright. Much of his stuff was filmed, including 'The Guns Of Navarone', 'The Satan Bug', 'Ice Station Zebra', and 'Puppet On A Chain'.'Fear' opens in Louisiana, as an unnamed man ( Barry Newman ) is in radio contact with a plane. Suddenly it is shot out of the sky, and crashes. He looks mortified. We then move to a bar, where the same man raises a fuss because he cannot get a drink on a Sunday. He then beats up cops when they try to arrest him. He winds up in court, and here we learn his name is John Talbot, a former underwater salvage expert wanted by Interpol. Also present is Sarah Ruthven ( Suzy Kendall ). Before he can be sentenced, Talbot escapes, taking Suzy as hostage. In a stolen car, they are chased relentlessly.That's enough plot. To tell you more would be to spoil it. Suffice to say, that Talbot is not what he seems and the stakes are bigger than they first appear. A very good supporting cast includes John Vernon and Ben Kingsley ( in his first movie role ).Roy Budd wrote the music, and as you'd expect coming from the guy who scored 'Get Carter' its first-rate.The action is fast ( that car chase goes on forever! ), and Newman looks cool as the hero. Kendall ( a former wife of Dudley Moore ) is stunning, and refreshingly we never see her getting it on with Talbot.Some have commented on the 'anti-climactic' ending, but I disagree. It is the same as the one in the book, and the film makers were right to use it. It is incredibly tense ( and as an asthmatic myself, I sympathise with the hero's plight! ) and rounds the film off perfectly. If you liked the other Maclean movies, you ought to like this too.Michael Tuchner, the director, made the Richard Burton gangster drama 'Villain' the year before.

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.