Twisted Nerve
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Roy Boulting (director) |
| Products | Psychological thriller film |
Twisted Nerve is a 1968 British psychological thriller helmed by director Roy Boulting and featuring performances from Hywel Bennett, Hayley Mills, Billie Whitelaw, and Frank Finlay. The narrative centers on Martin, a troubled young man who pretends to have intellectual disabilities under the alias "Georgie" to gain proximity to Susan, a girl he fixates on, eliminating anyone who stands in his way.
Plot
Martin's elder sibling Pete, who experiences learning challenges, has been sent by their mother to a specialized boarding school in London, following the death of their father several years prior. Their mother currently resides with an affluent banker. The school doctor expresses doubts about Pete’s long-term survival.
After Martin takes a toy duck from the shop where Susan purchases one, store security accuses them both of theft. Martin adopts the identity of "Georgie," claiming mental impairment, thereby distancing himself from Susan. Susan pays for the toy and shares her address with him.
At home, Martin’s parents quarrel over his conduct and the incident involving the duck. Alone in his room, Martin slips into the "Georgie" persona, rocking in a chair while tearing up a photograph of his stepfather.
Susan works at a library where Martin approaches her as Georgie, reimburses her for the toy, and borrows The Jungle Book. After refusing his stepfather’s order to relocate to Australia, Martin exhibits signs of frustration and narcissism before shattering a mirror.
Martin concocts a plan to leave home under false pretenses and takes up residence at Susan’s mother’s boarding house as Georgie. He harbors feelings for Susan but conceals his true identity out of fear.
One evening, Martin kills his stepfather with scissors. Police commence an investigation. Martin follows Susan to a lake and tries to kiss her; she rebuffs him. Later, Susan uncovers proof that Martin is not mentally disabled, including books and handwriting samples bearing his actual name.
Suspecting Martin’s dual persona, Susan consults her friend Shashee at a hospital about dissociative identity disorder. Meanwhile, Martin murders Susan’s mother with a hatchet when she attempts to seduce him.
Martin then takes Susan hostage, revealing his authentic self and forcing unwanted advances upon her. A guest discovers the mother’s body and alerts the authorities. Shashee hurries to rescue Susan as police arrive; Martin shoots at his own reflection before being subdued. He is institutionalized in a mental hospital, maintaining he is Georgie and mourning Susan.
Production notes
In October 1967, John Boulting announced plans for a film starring Hayley Mills and Hywel Bennett following their collaboration on The Family Way. The production, led by George W. George and Frank Granat—who had recently worked with Mills on Pretty Polly—commenced filming on 2 January 1968.
This film was produced as a joint venture between British Lion Films and the American company National General Pictures.
Title
The film’s title is taken from the poem Slaves by George Sylvester Viereck (1884–1962), which is quoted twice within the movie: once during Professor Fuller’s lecture regarding chromosome abnormalities and again in an audio flashback when Martin/Georgie is confined:
- No puppet master pulls the strings on high
- Proportioning our parts, the tinsel and the paint
- A twisted nerve, a ganglion gone awry,
- Predestinates the sinner and the saint.
Viereck’s intentions and the poem’s subject matter connect to mid-20th-century discussions about eugenics, subtly referenced during Professor Fuller’s lecture in the film.
Soundtrack
The film score was crafted by Bernard Herrmann, featuring a haunting whistle melody. Stylotone Records reissued this score in a premium LP edition released on 5 May 2016.
This theme experienced a resurgence in popularity through its inclusion in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), as ringtone sounds in Death Proof (2007), Chappa Kurishu (2011), and Chotushkone (2014), as well as during the debut season of American Horror Story (2011). It also appeared in a 2015 advertisement for Honda automobiles.
Furthermore, the melody has been sampled in tracks such as "Chill Bill" by Rob $tone, "The Hidden Interest" by Grooveman Jones, “Get Outta My Heart” by Ava Max, and “Don't Sweat That” by Lumidee.
Controversy
The film faced criticism for its portrayal of Down syndrome, then referred to as mongolism, suggesting a connection to the main character’s conduct. Objections were raised by organizations including the National Association for Mental Health, leading Professor Lionel Penrose, the medical advisor, to request his name be removed from the credits. Director Roy Boulting expressed remorse over the negative reaction.
To address these concerns, a voiceover was inserted before the end credits clarifying that no scientific evidence links mongolism with criminal or psychotic behavior. Nonetheless, David Ennals, Minister of State for Health and Social Security, voiced unease that the film still implied such an association.
The New York Times characterized the movie as "more disturbing than rewarding, and certainly more contrived than compassionate," underscoring the delicate nature of its themes.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin observed that Twisted Nerve sought to offer a serious reflection on mental illness but ultimately became a sensational thriller employing pseudoscientific terminology to suggest a link between mongolism and psychosis. The critique condemned Roy Boulting’s heavy-handed direction and described the film as awkwardly assembled, with performances generally uninspired except for those of Billie Whitelaw and Barry Foster. Hywel Bennett delivered a moderately credible performance, whereas Hayley Mills appeared emotionally distant and monotone.
According to The Guardian, the film was "gross, clumsy and ridiculously predictable."
The Observer labeled it "a glossy commercial psycho thriller" that might have been improved without the elder brother character, concluding it was an acceptable blood chiller if appreciated purely as fiction.
In contrast, the Los Angeles Times deemed it "thoroughly engrossing, spine tingling."
Filmink criticized the movie as weak overall, noting that Mills had minimal active involvement beyond reacting. The review suggested Boulting attempted to present her as a Hitchcock blonde but lacked the directorial skill demonstrated by Hitchcock, Seth Holt, or Freddie Francis.
External links
- Film review at Variety
- Twisted Nerve on Letterboxd DVD