Hysteria

Hysteria is a gripping 1965 black and white British suspense movie directed by Freddie Francis, a master of psychological thrillers and a two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer. The movie stars Robert Webber as the American protagonist, flanked by Anthony Newlands and Jennifer Jayne in significant roles. Despite more than 50 years having passed since its release, Hysteria retains the capacity to keep audiences captivated with its intriguing storyline and a memorable performance from its leads.

The film's narrative circles around Chris Smith (Robert Webber), an American character plunged into a world of rediscovery, confusion, and menace in the heart of London. Having survived an automobile accident, Smith wakes up in London with complete memory loss. Reconstructing his life becomes his newfound battle, made more difficult and suspenseful by pieces of a puzzle that refuse to seamlessly fit together.

In his journey, Chris is provided with an impressive apartment by a benevolent benefactor named Dr. Keller (Anthony Newlands) who previously treated him for his amnesia. Keller's seemingly random act of kindness adds an unpredictable layer to the narrative, creating a curious perspective that keeps the viewers intrigued throughout the movie. The audience is kept on edge, wondering at Dr. Keller's motivations and the clandestine mysteries of the apartment, including its previous tenant.

Jennifer Jayne plays the part of Gina, a character whose intervention marks a significant turning point in the plot. She appears as a woman from Chris' past, serving to both unravel and complicate the storyline. Her relationship with Chris, their shared history, and the secrets she holds contribute significantly to the suspenseful atmosphere that permeates the movie.

The city of London serves as the backdrop to all these ensuing events, its misty streets and brooding skies reflecting the confusion and uncertainty within Chris' mind. The city, in itself, becomes a pivotal character in the narrative, with its eeriness enhancing the overall mystery of the situations.

The direction by Freddie Francis in Hysteria is commendable as he successfully manages to maintain escalating tension and drama. With an effective use of his cinematographic eye, he generates a moody atmosphere that keeps viewers on their toes. Aided by the atmospheric music composed by Don Banks, Francis manages to create suspenseful moments that would rival the best Hitchcock thrillers. Despite the relatively low budget, Hysteria does not miss out on building a strong cinematic impact.

Robert Webber, known for his roles in thriller genre, delivers an intense performance as the protagonist Chris Smith. Webber embodies the perplexity and anxiety of a man suffering from amnesia, further enhanced by his foreignness in the unknown city of London. Antony Newlands and Jennifer Jayne also bring strong performances to their respective roles, adding depth to their characters and helping to build the overall suspenseful tone of the film.

Hysteria uses the concept of amnesia – an oft-used plot device in films of the time – and gives it fresh aptitude and flavor. Packaged in approximately 90 minutes, it serves as an exploration of identity, trust, uncertainty and long-hidden secrets. There are moments of fear, tension, surprise, and intrigue that keep the viewers continuously engaged.

Overall, Hysteria, with its atmosphere of suspense, mystery, and unease, stands as a testament to powerful storytelling that still holds after over 50 years of its release. Francis' film doesn't rely on graphic violence or blatant scares, but instead insidiously builds tension throughout, relying on the solid performances of its cast members, a tight script, masterful music, and moody visuals to deliver a memorable thriller. For fans of the suspense genre or classic cinema, Hysteria unquestionably deserves a watch.