Experiment in Terror

Play trailer

Experiment in Terror

Released Apr 13, 1962

2h 3m

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Kelly Sherwood (Lee Remick) is a bank teller who is terrorized by murderer "Red" Lynch (Ross Martin). Red, whose asthmatic voice is heard through his many terrifying phone calls, threatens to kill Kelly if she doesn't steal a large sum of money from the bank. In an attempt to ensure her compliance, Red begins to threaten those closest to Kelly. Despite her terror, Kelly involves the F.B.I., including Agent Ripley (Glenn Ford), who works to capture Red before the villain can get to Kelly.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Adam Nayman

The Ringer

The mix of methodical investigative protocol and aberrant psychology against a twisty San Francisco backdrop (including a climax at Candlestick Park during a Giants game) anticipates Bay City thrillers from Dirty Harry to Zodiac.

Apr 15, 2019

Full Review

Chris Wicking

Time Out

After Carpenter and De Palma, it may seem a little dated; yet Edwards' classical feel for pure cinema remains unalloyed.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...erratic yet mostly satisfying...

Rated: 3/4

Oct 9, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Aptly grants a satisfyingly original murder-mystery experience.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 24, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

This stylish noir thriller is one of Blak Edwards' best films and one of the genre's highlights, well acted by Lee Remick, exquisitely shot by Philip Lathrop, and moodily composed by Henry Mancini, who contributes a great jazz score

Rated: A-

Dec 14, 2010

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

One of director Blake Edwards' best w/terrific Mancini score.

Rated: 5/5

Jan 1, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Ed M

Good movie, but it has been done hundreds of times ("Death Wish" comes to mind as a bloodier version of it). Still, this is a good watch. Glenn Ford is always a pleasure, even if he isn't Bogart. Ross Martin as the killer is perfectly evil, and certainly belongs in any study of great movie villains. A young Stefanie Powers is also an Easter Egg for anyone who remembers her from the 1970's. Let's not forget the classic Henry Mancini music in this film!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

Full Review

nick s

Worth watching just for the sumptuous cinematography itself. A real "every frame a painting movie." The lead actress was marvellous and well supported by the rest of the cast. The plot in unfolded at a nice, unsettling pace.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/31/24

Full Review

Abe C

Beautiful-looking noir, excellent personnel, but the story is slack, too slow, implausible, trying. I found it unsatisfactory, unthrilling - I'm puzzled that the professionals are so keen on it.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/09/24

Full Review

Aino K

Hyvä elokuva. Jännittävä ja ajoittain pelottavakin. Hieno tunnelma, hyvä äänimaailma, tarina piti otteessaan. Loppukliimaksi ei lunastanut odotuksia/oli vähän lässähdys hienosti rakennetun tunnelman päätteeksi.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/16/23

Full Review

kevin w

Glenn Ford and Lee Remick competently star in this Blake Edwards not-so-subtle take on a Alfred Hitchcock style thriller about a deranged criminal lowlife type threatening a bank teller unless she robs a bank for him. While the cinematic execution is well done (with memorable musical accompaniment by Henry Mancini's spooky score) it's Ross Martin's nutso psycho killer who steals the work and who you root for.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

If I taught a filming class I'd have Experiment In Terror in the syllabus under "Opening Scenes," as director Blake Edwards does a phenomenal job of establishing suspense, mood, and detailing the movie's premise in the first ten minutes. Credit goes to Henry Mancini's memorable score and Lee Remick's woman-in-danger lead role.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Blake Edwards

Director

Glenn Ford

John "Rip" Ripley

Lee Remick

Kelly Sherwood

Stefanie Powers

Toby Sherwood

Roy Poole

Brad

Ned Glass

Popcorn

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Party Girl

83%

57%

Party Girl

Watchlist

Breathless

95%

90%

Breathless

Watchlist

Point Blank

93%

84%

Point Blank

Watchlist

Mickey One

71%

52%

Mickey One

Watchlist

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round

33%

32%

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Weekly Ketchup: Ed Norton As "Incredible Hulk," Ledger’s Scary Joker, Early Reactions to "Spider-Man 3," And More!

Actor Glenn Ford Dead at 90

Columbia Participates in the Horror Remake "Experiment"

View more photos

Synopsis

Kelly Sherwood (Lee Remick) is a bank teller who is terrorized by murderer "Red" Lynch (Ross Martin). Red, whose asthmatic voice is heard through his many terrifying phone calls, threatens to kill Kelly if she doesn't steal a large sum of money from the bank. In an attempt to ensure her compliance, Red begins to threaten those closest to Kelly. Despite her terror, Kelly involves the F.B.I., including Agent Ripley (Glenn Ford), who works to capture Red before the villain can get to Kelly.

Director: Blake Edwards
Producer: Blake Edwards
Screenwriter: The Gordons
Production Co: Geoffrey-Kate Productions
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 13, 1962, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 27, 2010
Runtime: 2h 3m

Most Popular at Home Now