The Full Treatment

Hammer Film Productions

Industry	Film production
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Films

The Full Treatment (known in the US as Stop Me Before I Kill!) is a 1960 British thriller presented in black and white, directed by Val Guest. The cast includes Claude Dauphin, Diane Cilento, and Ronald Lewis. The screenplay is adapted from Ronald Scott Thorn's 1959 novel. Produced by Hammer Film Productions alongside Hillary-Falcon, the shooting took place between May and July 1960 in Cannes. The film debuted in the United Kingdom on 20 February 1961, with the British edition running sixteen minutes longer than its American counterpart.

Plot

Alan Colby, an English race car driver, and his wife Denise have physically recovered from a severe accident that occurred a year prior, yet Alan struggles with increasing mood instability and violent tendencies. While vacationing on the Côte d'Azur, they encounter Dr. Prade, a psychiatrist from London. Denise shares the difficulties in their marriage with Prade, which triggers Alan's rage. After patching things up, the couple returns to London.

Alan later attempts to strangle Denise but is appalled by his behavior and consents to psychiatric treatment. During therapy sessions, he discloses vivid violent fantasies involving Denise. Dr. Prade interprets Alan’s condition as a reenactment of trauma stemming from Alan’s belief that he caused Denise’s death in the accident and pronounces him cured.

Nevertheless, Denise vanishes, and evidence implies Alan may have acted upon his violent visions during a dissociative episode. Following an incident during Alan’s transfer to a clinic, he escapes to southern France and secretly observes Denise and Prade aboard a yacht.

Alan confronts Prade, suspecting foul play. Prade asserts that Alan has been confined for ten days, casting doubt on Alan’s grasp of reality. Denise discovers proof that Prade fabricated a murder scene by killing his own cat. When confronted, Prade confesses his affection for Denise and attempts to flee via gondola lift but suffers a fatal accident.

Ultimately, Alan and Denise reunite, both bearing the scars of their harrowing experience.

Cast

• Claude Dauphin as David Prade
• Diane Cilento as Denise Colby
• Ronald Lewis as Alan Colby
• Françoise Rosay as Madame Prade
• Bernard Braden as Harry Stonehouse
• Katya Douglas as Connie
• Barbara Chilcott as Baroness de la Vailion
• Ann Tirard as Nicole
• Edwin Styles as Dr. Roberts
• George Merritt as Mr. Manfield

Production

Director Val Guest mentioned that the film was adapted from Ronald Scott Thorn’s novel; Thorn was notable within the industry as an insurance doctor overseeing film policies. The production was filmed on location in southern France. Guest later worked again with Ronald Lewis in the film Jigsaw.

Reception

Variety commended the film for being "well acted and forcefully directed."

Howard Thompson of The New York Times described it as "a tightly woven little thriller" featuring sharp dialogue and clear cinematography, highlighting its suspenseful narrative and unexpected plot developments despite a somewhat melodramatic conclusion. He deemed it a "small yet neatly crafted" work worthy of viewing.

Patrick Gibbs from The Daily Telegraph viewed it as a mild suspense film more fitting for law enforcement professionals than medical specialists, suggesting it primarily appeals to audiences seeking light entertainment.

The Radio Times observed that although director Val Guest aspired to create a Hitchcockian thriller, the movie lacked both star power and narrative depth to fully realize that ambition.

Leslie Halliwell criticized the film as an unoriginal take reminiscent of Les Diaboliques, noting its lack of genuine mystery and dialogue-heavy scenes featuring uninspiring characters.