Subtitles:

None

Extras:

• Commentary by Pete Walker and film critic Jonathan Rigby

• 3 Pete Walker Trailers

The first horror film from notorious British director Pete Walker, this is a brutal but rather pedestrian pulp thriller about a fetching young go-go dancer (Susan George, in her first starring role) who is stalked in and around an isolated house by ruthless assassins determined to prevent her from reaching her 21st birthday. It seems Marianne is in line for a sizable inheritance from the man she claims is her father -- a crooked magistrate whose career is threatened by her very existence. As if that weren't enough, knowledge of the girl's newfound wealth inspires a team of would-be kidnappers who show up at the villa to beef up the body count. Fans of Walker's blood-drenched thrillers might detect a glimmer of burgeoning talent here, but the suspense is hampered by a clunky script and silly dialogue, and the lovely George is probably just warming up for the following year's Straw Dogs. Also known as Die Beautiful, Marianne.

Marianne (Susan George) is a go-go dancer in Portugal who flees her family. Stumbling down a hillside she is nearly run over by creepy Sebastian (Christopher Sandford) who just happens to be on his way to London. He offers her a lift and, a fortnight later, she is living with him in his flat when he springs a surprise registry wedding on her. Desperate to get out of the situation, she fills in the best man's name on the form and technically ends up marrying him instead. The best man, Eli, is played by the familiar baby-face of Barry (Doctor In The House) Evans who gives the film the unfortunate appearance of a 1970s' sitcom whenever he is on screen. Walker has since said that he would have preferred to have had his friend Ian McShane play the part instead if he had been free at the time. Or anyone else, really...

Gary Tooze

February 9th, 2013