Blu-ray Review – Paranoiac

Hammer Films chases a different trend with 1963's "Paranoiac," which is an adaptation of the novel "Brat Farrar" by Josephine Tey, reworked to fit a defined "Psycho" mood. The prospect of following Hitchcock doesn't seem to bother director Freddie Francis, who puts in a tremendous effort to keep the feature stylish in its own way, while managing a slightly different concept of family issues from screenwriter Jimmy Sangster. "Paranoiac" isn't big on direct shots of suspense, as Francis hunts for a slightly more disturbing atmosphere for the endeavor, which isn't tightly paced, but offers effects moments of tension and eeriness, handing Hammer a creative success with material that could've easily tanked in lesser hands. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com