The producers of 2003’s Willard chose to nix “remake” from the film’s marketing vocabulary, but 2003’s Willard adaptation is irrefutably a remake of 1971’s furry social outcast chiller. At the forefront of 2000s remake trends, Glen Morgan‘s Willard features altered themes and a deeper thirst for suspense, going the “darker and grittier” route displayed by subsequent studio remakes (including Morgan’s 2006 Black Christmas slasher). Stephen Gilbert’s novel Ratman’s Notebooks inspires both pictures, although neither dare touch the subplot about “Ratman Robberies” — the narrator steals money from shopkeepers and neighbors before the whole workplace murder climax. Where’s my movie about a criminal aided by rat accomplices? Rat King in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will do, I guess.
It’s daffy to think that 2003’s Willard was hidden as a remake when you watch them back-to-back, but the general moviegoer wouldn’t know any different. That’s...
It’s daffy to think that 2003’s Willard was hidden as a remake when you watch them back-to-back, but the general moviegoer wouldn’t know any different. That’s...
- 12/2/2022
- by Matt Donato
- bloody-disgusting.com
Guest Reviewer Lee Broughton is back, with a rodent roundup of horror, or more accurately, psychological suspense interrupted by a few salacious slayings. What would Mickey say?
The brief synopses of Daniel Mann’s Willard and Phil Karlson’s Ben that appeared in the horror movie books and magazines that kids in the UK loved to pore over during the late 1970s always gave the impression that this pair of killer rat films were hardcore horror shows.
In truth, the actual horror content of both films is relatively mild and infrequent. In spite of this, Willard and Ben still tend to be discussed in terms of their relation to the often more extreme movies that appeared in the “animals attack” cycle of horror films that flourished during the 1970s.
That particular subgenre represents something of a niche interest area that is governed by a pretty tight set of boundaries. The...
The brief synopses of Daniel Mann’s Willard and Phil Karlson’s Ben that appeared in the horror movie books and magazines that kids in the UK loved to pore over during the late 1970s always gave the impression that this pair of killer rat films were hardcore horror shows.
In truth, the actual horror content of both films is relatively mild and infrequent. In spite of this, Willard and Ben still tend to be discussed in terms of their relation to the often more extreme movies that appeared in the “animals attack” cycle of horror films that flourished during the 1970s.
That particular subgenre represents something of a niche interest area that is governed by a pretty tight set of boundaries. The...
- 11/11/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
“I was good to you, Ben!” Well, that’s true, Willard, up to a point. Daniel Mann’s Willard (1971) makes a few good and satirical points, one being don’t bite the hand that feeds you, especially as that “hand” might bite you right back. Willard kicked off the 70’s Critters Done Wrong By (trademark pending) subgenre, leading to such memorable fodder as Frogs (1972), Food of the Gods (1976), and Day of the Animals (1977). However, Willard stands out from the (rat) pack by keeping it thrills low key and scurrying on the ground.
Produced by Bing Crosby Productions (yes, that Bing) and distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation (they also put out The Beast Must Die and Seizure), Willard received good notices, and more importantly to the genre, pulled in over $14 million Us when it was released in June of ’71. Propelled by top notch performances, Willard delivers the vermin to your doorstep.
Produced by Bing Crosby Productions (yes, that Bing) and distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corporation (they also put out The Beast Must Die and Seizure), Willard received good notices, and more importantly to the genre, pulled in over $14 million Us when it was released in June of ’71. Propelled by top notch performances, Willard delivers the vermin to your doorstep.
- 11/21/2015
- by Scott Drebit
- DailyDead
Here's another installment featuring Joe Dante's reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Currently tearing up ballyhoo market boxoffice records, this generally ordinary horror film has a potent selling gimmick in its rat heavies. A big grosser for the broad range of markets thanks to unusually powerful promotion campaign. Rating: Gp.
Willard, the tender story of a boy and his killer rats, is already the surprise hit of the season, thanks largely to a shrewd ballyhoo campaign devised by the showmen at Cinerama releasing which makes the Bcp Production a virtually irresistible attraction for a broad range of thrill fans. Far better horror films have come and gone in recent years, but without Willard's main distinction‑its rat gimmick, which is bringing out the monster fans, the kids and anyone else...
Willard, the tender story of a boy and his killer rats, is already the surprise hit of the season, thanks largely to a shrewd ballyhoo campaign devised by the showmen at Cinerama releasing which makes the Bcp Production a virtually irresistible attraction for a broad range of thrill fans. Far better horror films have come and gone in recent years, but without Willard's main distinction‑its rat gimmick, which is bringing out the monster fans, the kids and anyone else...
- 5/27/2014
- by Joe Dante
- Trailers from Hell
By Lee Pfeiffer
Warner Archive has released the 1968 thriller Kona Coast, based on the novel Bimini Gal by popular mystery writer John D. MacDonald. The modestly-budgeted production reminds one of John Ford's Donovan's Reef in the sense that one suspects both movies were primarily used as justifications for cast and crew to take a nice vacation in Hawaii. Boone plays Sam Moran, a charter boat captain living the good life in Honolulu, where he routinely indulges in drinking binges and womanizing. When his teenaged daughter falls in with a local high living drug peddler named Kryer (Steve Inhat), she is accidentally given a heroin overdose at a drug-fueled party. Rather than deal with the consequences, Kryer orders her to be murdered. When her body washes ashore, the police think it's a drowning but Sam suspects foul play from the beginning. As he begins his own investigation, he is severely beaten,...
Warner Archive has released the 1968 thriller Kona Coast, based on the novel Bimini Gal by popular mystery writer John D. MacDonald. The modestly-budgeted production reminds one of John Ford's Donovan's Reef in the sense that one suspects both movies were primarily used as justifications for cast and crew to take a nice vacation in Hawaii. Boone plays Sam Moran, a charter boat captain living the good life in Honolulu, where he routinely indulges in drinking binges and womanizing. When his teenaged daughter falls in with a local high living drug peddler named Kryer (Steve Inhat), she is accidentally given a heroin overdose at a drug-fueled party. Rather than deal with the consequences, Kryer orders her to be murdered. When her body washes ashore, the police think it's a drowning but Sam suspects foul play from the beginning. As he begins his own investigation, he is severely beaten,...
- 4/1/2011
- by nospam@example.com (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Hollywood saw a rash of ‘animals on the rampage’ movies in the 1970’s including ones about frogs (Frogs in 1972), snakes (Stanley also 1972) and even rabbits (Night Of The Lepus in 1974). Though the conventions were in part established by The Birds in 1963, it was the runaway success of the 1971 shocker Willard, about a nerd’s retaliation against his tormentors with the help of an army of rats, which really ignited the genre. Willard spawned the quickie sequel Ben the next year, but surprisingly neither is available on DVD.
Based on the novel ‘The Ratman’s Notebooks’ by Stephen Gilbert, Willard tells the story of Willard Stiles (Bruce Davison), a lonely young man employed at the company his late father founded, who suffers cruel humiliations at the hands of his boss (Ernest Borgnine), who’s also dad’s former business partner. Willard’s only companion is his ailing, decrepit mother (Elsa Lanchester...
Based on the novel ‘The Ratman’s Notebooks’ by Stephen Gilbert, Willard tells the story of Willard Stiles (Bruce Davison), a lonely young man employed at the company his late father founded, who suffers cruel humiliations at the hands of his boss (Ernest Borgnine), who’s also dad’s former business partner. Willard’s only companion is his ailing, decrepit mother (Elsa Lanchester...
- 1/21/2010
- by Tom
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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