Die! Die! My Darling! [aka Fanatic]

Die! Die! My Darling! is a gripping 1965 British horror-thriller film, also released under the title Fanatic, directed by Silvio Narizzano and produced by Hammer Film Productions, a company famed for its defining role in British horror cinema. This spine-chilling suspenseful movie stars legendary American stage actress Tallulah Bankhead known for her husky voice and overpowering personality alongside Stefanie Powers, known for her multi-faceted acting skills and Peter Vaughan, a renowned British character actor.

The movie takes its audience into the depths of psychological warfare somewhere in the lush, isolated English countryside. Stefanie Powers portrays Patricia Carroll, an American woman engaged to be married to an Englishman, Alan Glentower, played by Maurice Kaufmann. Before settling into her new life, Patricia feels she must return a courtesy visit to the mother of her late fiancé, Stephen, who died accidentally some time ago.

These seemingly innocent events lead Patricia to the sprawling, gloomy, Victorian mansion of Mrs. Trefoile (Tallulah Bankhead). The house, secluded and eerily silent yet dramatic, presents the perfect backdrop for a thrilling drama that will unfold. A character unto itself, the mansion is an inescapable trap filled with its own assortment of mysteries and secrets.

Bankhead, in her last film appearance, plays the role of Mrs. Trefoile with spine-chilling conviction. Mrs. Trefoile is a fanatically religious and repressed elderly woman who is still mourning the loss of her son, Stephen, who happens to be Patricia's deceased former fiancé. Bankhead's theatrical performance brings this disturbing character to life, infusing the film with a palpable feeling of dread.

Stefanie Powers as Patricia is warm, empathetic and endearing yet with a steely undercurrent, making her character's decisions seem all the more believable within the confines of the film. Peter Vaughan delivers a solid performance as Harry, Mrs. Trefoile's creepily subservient butler, adding to the brooding aura of the mansion with his consistently somber demeanor.

Once Patricia steps foot into the mansion, the visit takes a dark turn as Mrs. Trefoile's obsession with her deceased son and her fanatical religious views quickly become apparent. Patricia soon discovers that the initially cordial company of Mrs. Trefoile is deceiving and the intentions behind the invitation go way beyond offering a cup of tea and exchanging friendly words.

From there, the film plunges into a psychological drama, as Patricia finds herself ensnared in a terrifying reality that is far from her normal understanding of the world. The movie reveals layers of psychosis, manipulation and paranoia, masterfully captured in a gruelling cat and mouse game with Patricia fighting to escape from the clutches of her tormentor. The fear-laden atmosphere is heightened by the movie’s palpable tension, the mansion’s isolated location and an impressive score by composer Richard Rodney Bennett.

Complementing the gripping plot is the movie’s stark black-and-white filming, which adds a captivatingly gothic air that further enhances the feeling of dread and foreboding throughout the story. The well-constructed visual appeal is underscored by Arthur Ibbetson’s cinematography, which uses long shots, shadows, and intense close-ups to effectively heighten the suspense and terror.

The screenplay penned by Richard Matheson, based on the novel “Nightmare” by Anne Blaisdell, keeps the audience on their toes throughout its course. Matheson, known for his spellbinding storytelling in the realm of horror and fantasy, successfully weaves a story that keeps the suspense taut while maintaining a steady build towards the climax.

Die! Die! My Darling! perfectly represents a style inherent to the 60's horror genre – a blend of psychological thriller and gothic melodrama. It gives the audience an impressive display of classical acting talent, clever cinematography, and atmospheric set designs. Tremendous performances from a stellar cast, a gripping storyline and a terrifically suspenseful atmosphere makes this movie a classic gem among the pantheon of psychological thrillers of the 1960s. It's a worthwhile watch for fervent fans of the genre and newcomers alike.