What the Peeper Saw

R

1971

1 hr. 40 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

Reviews

66%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

A wicked boy (Mark Lester) develops an unhealthy attitude toward his stepmother (Britt Ekland) in their mansion in rural Spain.

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Audience Member

Freaky child horror, done Italian style! The delightful Britt Ekland is a big draw for me, and I really enjoyed this one quite a bit. Rental!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Britt Ekland is the new young wife of novelist Hardy Kruger. Her relationship with his young son (Mark Lester of "Oliver!") takes on a sinister edge as she becomes increasingly convinced of his sinister motives. This Italian/British co-production is sort of an immensely sleazy take on "The Turn of the Screw" as we become unsure whether Lester is the villain or Ekland is crazy. This film was originally released as a double feature in the UK with "Don't Look Now", but was withdrawn and re-cut in the late 70's to remove several scenes where Lester appears in the same scenes as a nude Ekland. This is an undeniably controversial and discomfort inducing film, but it kind of works despite being clumsily put together. It's far from a conventionally good film, but it has a creepy atmosphere.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very disturbing and gripping. Mark Lester is awesome !

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What the Peeper Saw is a film with potential. It has the right ideas of mixing nudity, sexuality, controversial subject matter, murder, and mystery together. Unfortunately, the nudity isn't substantial, erotic, nor is it truly explored the way the film hints it should be. The controversy is there involving a young boy intimately with an adult female sure. But to play it safe, the film doesn't go very far with the whole concept. The murder takes place and is the main reason for the mystery, suspense, and generally the entire film but for lovers of violence and gore, you'll be disappointed. What the Peeper Saw relies a great deal on nudity, spectacle, and intreague to sell itself. The title is a little misleading as there really isn't any peeping in the film (a missed opportunity imo). Outside the controversy and nudity, the film doesn't really offer up much entertainment. It's a standard murder mystery film where one member of the cast figures things out but nobody believes them. Audience members will likely leave the film thinking "why?" rather than "who?" or "what?" or "how?" and perhaps that is the intention. I can't really recommend the film. It doesn't have enough substance but those who know of the controversy and are curious might want to check it out. It's not a terrible film, it's just not a good story.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

There's a few scenes that are outright creepy ...and not in a horrifying way. I can see why the BBFC made them chop out a few (the asylum dream sequence specifically because it serves no purpose other than to make the viewer feel a little bit pervy). Luckily these instances are brief and you rebound right along with the movie as it returns to being a pretty great portrayal of psychological warfare between Eklund and the kid from Oliver. Oh and the last second surprise ending is absolutely greattt.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A disturbed twelve year old boy seems to dislike his hot new 22 year old stepmom. Dad dismisses his spying on her in bed through a peephole. Some strange parts to this one, not the least of which is the long ending kiss stepmom gives the boy.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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James Kelley

Director

Britt Ekland

Elise

Mark Lester

Marcus

Hardy Krüger

Paul

Lilli Palmer

Dr. Viorne

Harry Andrews

Headmaster

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Synopsis

A wicked boy (Mark Lester) develops an unhealthy attitude toward his stepmother (Britt Ekland) in their mansion in rural Spain.

Director: James Kelley
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English

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