Ken Hughes (director)
Networkonair.com (studio)
Cert U (certificate)
90 min (length)
04 November 2013 (released)
03 December 2013
This British sci-fi flavoured B-movie thriller stars Irish matinee idol Maxwell Reed as Frank Smith, a hospitalized man who claims his life is in danger. When he is examined on the ‘brain machine’, the results are alarming…
When murderer Edward Jarritt is brought into a mental health institution, he is tested by Dr. Philippa Roberts (Elizabeth Allan), using a remarkable machine called electro-encephalograph (one wonders how many takes it took for the actors to memorize that name). The machine can reveal abnormalities within the brain. When at the same time, Frank Smith, a man suffering from amnesia, is brought into the same hospital and is questioned under the influence of a drug, he first shows signs of aggressive behaviour and seemingly objects to further tests. Finally agreeing to it, he then reveals that apparently, his life is in danger. When Dr. Roberts examines him on the ‘brain machine’, it emerges that Frank ‘s brain apparently sports the same dangerous abnormalities as those of murderer Jarritt. Frank then does a runner and leaves the hospital.
When Dr. Philippa, who is in the process of separating from her husband, Dr. Geoffrey Allan (Patrick Barr), calls both upon her estranged husband and the police for advice, they brush off her concerns with the remark that the results of Frank’s examination won’t proof anything. In fact, Inspector Durham (Russell Napier) and Detective Superintendent John Harris (Neil Hallett) remark that they can’t arrest a man purely on the grounds that his brain examination showed abnormal results.
However, a short time later and through a coincidence, Frank once again appears on the map… this time around, police and Dr. Roberts come to learn that her fears are grounded, as Frank turns out to be a psychotic drug smuggler mixed up in a gang feud.
Realizing that the police are now after him thanks to Dr. Roberts, he takes her hostage and hides out in a remote garage. It is now up both to police and Dr. Roberts estranged husband to find her, before the smuggling gang find Frank and the woman first, killing them both…
The Brain Machine is a well-paced b/w thriller, with some competent performances by Russell Napier and Patrick Barr in particular, while Gibb McLaughlin as ringleader Spencer Simon would have been better suited to a Victorian melodrama. Serial villain/heartbreak actor Maxwell Reed (Joan Collins’ first husband) delivers a convincing portrayal as a man at his wits end, suffering frustration, anguish and tormenting headaches in equal measure. Despite some less believable scenarios (for example, ‘hostage’ Elizabeth Allan has her hair and make-up in top condition even after days of capture) the film leads up to a tense finale. Despite this being a B-feature, director Ken Hughes went on to achieve mega fame for films such as The Trials Of Oscar Wilde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Cromwell.
The DVD release, part of Network’s British Film Collection, offers the following Special Features:
• Italian titles
• Trailer
• Image Gallery