The Collector

PLOT Wikipedia let me down this time. So I joined and wrote the plot summary myself. John Fowle's book version of this film has some good links.

I found it interesting when doing some snooping on the Net to see the cover for this DVD and the covers for the book editions. The following cover gives a bit too much away in my opinion, and attracts those looking for titillation. Surely the theme of the film, although not doubt representing repressed sex urges, is about class and the impossibility, despite money of moving from one strata to another.


Where is Freddie's Mum in the film? His Aunt announces to all in the bank, that he has won the money - directly after we see him being teased by his colleagues with fake butterflies on a string. Interestingly Wyler's direction at the start of the film implies he stumbles across the house and therefore was not planning capturing Miranda from the start. Wyler, I would say, could by no means be seen as an auteur. His history includes very famous and great films such as the Olivier/Oberon Wuthering Heights; The Westerner; Ben Hur and Mrs Miniver - an interesting mix. However, he does deliver watchable films where artifice is not evident to the viewer - the story is paramount.

Eggar was at her peak in this piece, the 'vaseline' lens making too much of her in some shots. However the contrast between this and the later shots when she is dying where there is no makeup or sharp lighting, emphasises some artifice. The music in places appears peculiarly happy. And one wonders why we begin and end with Freddie's narrative, but lose it in the middle. If the film had been from Freddie's viewpoint all through, it would be fine, but we are shown the interloping neighbour's arrival, and the bathroom scene both of which are not from Freddie's point of view. I suspect the book has a main plot including these narratives and this is missing from the film to such an extent.

Nevertheless the film retains tension where many modern ones do not, and the two characters are played very well. Stamp has a brilliant hunched, humble appearance but the sexual/aggressive tension underneath is always there - much like Oliver Reed, a fellow actor of the time. Eggar, I felt was very convincing with what she was given. More could have been made of her fear at the start and her trickery with Stamp could have been drawn out but still a brilliant work.

As to the subject of class, does it still work today? Although I feel most people watching it today would feel as some do when watching 'Brief Encounter' I feel the truth is that it is still as relevant today although the subject is hidden by the 'lower classes' believing they are better off in what they conceive as a more level playing field. [Reviewed by Nuthatch]

I found the film far more disturbing than many more recent 'psychological' films as it contained more threatened than actual violence and therefore allowed space to explore the motivation of the central character. In particular, the soft accompanying music served to portray the distancing of the true sociopath from the suffering of his victims. Stamp's character is entirely focussed on his own fantasy and incapable of entering into his victim's shoes. From the beginning, there is a terrible inevitabilty about Miranda's death as it is impossible for her to fulfil the expectations forced upon her. Like a captured butterfly, her initial resistance becomes ever more feeble until she eventually gives up the struggle completely. The film ends with Freddie moving on to his next victim and we are left with a sense of helplessness because we know what is going to happen next but we have no way of preventing it. Unlike Nuthatch, I don't think the film is about class but about damaged humanity. Freddie is incapable of relating normally to other human beings, especially women, and so, for him, women are unattainable objects to be captured in the same way as butterflies. He destroys in order to possess the object of his desire and that is a tragedy for him as well as for his victims. [Reviewed by Nightjar]

This film has definitely stayed with me as it was so subtly disturbing in many places. I thought the relationship between the two characters was fascinating as they alternate between who has the power in any given situation. At first it feels as if Miranda has almost total control over the relationship although she cannot escape and Freddie, although he has engineered the situation, is largely helpless and fairly easily manipulated. It is only later on that we see his more frightening characteristics and realise once and for all that Miranda is doomed as she cannot win whatever she does. Stamp played Freddie perfectly he was both childish and sexual, seemingly reserved while always having the underlying threat of danger. I felt the parallel with the butterflies was a little laboured as it did not come to me as a revelation and I also found Freddie's commentary a little odd. But all in all a very good film and one which will have me checking over my shoulder as I walk down the street! [Reviewed by Stonechat]