Sometimes, a movie is made that focuses on the wrong things for its type. "Frenzy" is exactly that type of movie.For a basic plot summary, "Frenzy" is set in England where a mysterious "Necktie Murderer" continues to claim victim after victim (strangling them with a necktie). Minor Spoiler: Very quickly into the movie, we learn that one man is truly the vicious murderer, while another is being wrongly pursued for the killings. This sets up the drama as the rest of the movie unfolds.The trouble with "Frenzy" is that it seems like the film was Hitch's way of entering "the modern era" of filmmaking. After being criticized for his mostly boring Cold War "thrillers" like "Topaz" & "Torn Curtain", Hitch sets "Frenzy" in "today" and ups the ante in the violence department (this is also the only Hitchcock film in which nudity is present).Sadly, while making that jarring transition, Hitch seemed to have left behind some of the terrific suspense and storytelling in his earlier film. For "Frenzy" to work, it needed to be a taut, tense, psychological treatise on the mind of a serial killer. Instead, Hitch turns it into a rather procedural piece that sometimes even borders on predictability. The only real character insights given are done so in Hitch's trademark comedic tongue-in-cheek way.Thus, while decent enough to hold one's interest, "Frenzy" falls under the "disappointment" category for this viewer. Worth a watch from Hitch nuts, but otherwise can easily be skipped in favor of other fare.

Frenzy is one of the better Hitchcock movies out there (I've seen most of them), largely due to stunning cinematography, well-written dialogue, and a suspenseful story. Some sections of the movie may seem a bit slow to modern viewers, but many of these scenes are saved by the dialogue and acting. The movie hasn't aged terrifically, but that shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering how old it is. Frenzy isn't perfect; parts of it, such as the rape scene and the dinner scenes, are pretty over-the-top, but, overall, the movie's strengths compensate for its shortcomings. Frenzy may not rank among Hitchcock's very best work, but I'd still say it's a must-watch for fans of the genre. 8/10.

Alfred Hitchcock's FRENZY was released in 1972, notably later than his previous masterpieces of the 50s/60s, so it is much more graphic and sexual than all of them.The story is quite engaging, but it never does scare someone, because I did not really feel the atmosphere one supposedly feels when watching a Hitchcock thriller (such as Psycho, Rear Window, etc.). The movie does contain a rape scene (that was graphic considering this was in the 70s), where Rusk sexually assaults his friend Blaney's ex-wife in her office and then strangles her with a neck- tie. There is quite a bit of nudity in this film as well.The musical score was nothing special, but the camera work was good. The performance were good as well, and Jon Finch did an impressive job as the lead. The others were effective.However, you never really feel he is a wrong man arrested, as he is extremely casual about it; unlike Cary Grant's character in North by Northwest who tries his best to flee.Hitchcock's directing was great as usual.All in all, the film was interesting and the plot was great and engaging (and humorous at times), but I never really felt the atmosphere of a Hitchcock thriller.

(69%) One of Alfred the greats final films is a real sleazy treat for fans of his more exploitative side. Anyone wanting to know exactly why the likes of Dario Argento is often compared to old Hitch then this needs to be seen. What's best about this little gem is the fact that you can tell the old guy was having a bit of fun with it, he knows it isn't going to be his best or even close, so he fills this with nice touches of black humour, tonnes of bad language, and plenty of suspense. This is very much a middle of the pile addition, but the cast is good, it's very well structured, and it never allows itself to be taken seriously. Overall a good sit that is never boring to watch.