The Anniversary (1968 film)

The Anniversary

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1968
Founder	Roy Ward Baker (director), Hammer Films, Seven Arts (producers)
Products	Film

The Anniversary is a 1968 British black comedy film helmed by director Roy Ward Baker and produced by Hammer Films alongside Seven Arts. The film stars Bette Davis and features a screenplay by Jimmy Sangster, adapted from the 1966 stage play written by Bill MacIlwraith.

Plot

Mrs. Taggart, a domineering matriarch who has lost an eye, oversees the yearly commemoration of her deceased husband's passing, gathering her three sons for the occasion. The eldest, Henry, is a transvestite; the middle son, Terry, intends to relocate to Canada with his wife Karen and their six children; while the youngest, Tom, known for his womanizing ways, arrives accompanied by his pregnant partner Shirley. Through manipulation and authority over family finances, Mrs. Taggart maintains strict control over her sons' lives and decisions.

Cast

• Bette Davis as Mrs. Taggart
• James Cossins as Henry Taggart
• Jack Hedley as Terry Taggart
• Christian Roberts as Tom Taggart
• Sheila Hancock as Karen Taggart
• Elaine Taylor as Shirley Blair
• Timothy Bateson as Mr. Bird
• Arnold Diamond as Headwaiter

Production

The source play premiered in London's West End featuring Mona Washbourne in the role of Mrs. Taggart. Initially, Bette Davis declined to portray the character on screen but agreed after Jimmy Sangster made revisions to the script. Actors Sheila Hancock, Jack Hedley, and James Cossins returned to their respective roles from the theatrical production. After one week of filming, original director Alvin Rakoff was replaced due to conflicts with Davis, who expressed dissatisfaction with his directing style.

For her portrayal, Davis wore adhesive eye patches which caused physical discomfort and balance issues during shooting. Sheila Hancock observed that Davis’s status as a major star influenced interactions on set, contrasting with Hancock’s experience rooted in theatre.

Principal photography occurred at Elstree Studios, located in Hertfordshire. The film's budget was approximately $1,450,000, while its box office earnings in the United States reached $1,352,000.

Critical reception

The film's British debut took place at London's Rialto cinema on 11 February 1968.

In a review for The New York Times, critic Renata Adler described the movie as "not a distinguished example of the Terrifying Older Actress Filicidal Mummy genre," yet acknowledged it "isn't too heavy," reflecting on the generally modest quality of films within this category.

TV Guide rated the film three out of four stars, commending Davis's performance but pointing out that its theatrical roots contributed to a somewhat "stagy" atmosphere.

Box office

According to Fox records, the film earned $1.45 million at the U.S. box office.