Willard1971
Willard (1971)
Willard Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Willard Stiles
as Al Martin
as Henrietta Stiles
as Joan
as Brandt
as Charlotte Stassen
as Charlotte Stassen
as Alice Rickles
as Mr. Barskin
as Jonathan Farley
as Mr. Carlson
as Mrs. Becker
as Ida Stassen
as Carrie Smith
as Walter T. Spencer
as Mrs. Spencer
as Mrs. Martin
as Motorcycle Rider
as Guest
as Guest
as Guest
as Guest
Critic Reviews for Willard
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (13) | Rotten (11)
The movie, however, persists in crossing its lines of stimulation, resulting in a series of little short-circuits that effectively limit pleasure to an occasional line or bit of business.
What is it in this film that touches some deep-buried nerve in the public psyche? Why does wholesome family entertainment fade away, while rats make millions?
Ragged.
Mann's shoddy staging, haphazard framing (he seems to be allergic to close-ups) and low-contrast lighting sap the drama and tension from most of the movie. The ending is cool, though.
It's brave work, and the role seems tailor-made for the actor, who's enjoyed an entire career playing easily winded jerks, with Willard's descent into authority and panic vividly captured.
It's a complex and sympathetic character study and for a few misfits in the audience, it gave us a protagonist we could finally identify with and a film that helped define our later lives.
Audience Reviews for Willard
If you read the rats as a metaphor for a misfit's innermost dark impulses (like Psycho with rodents), then you will find more to enjoy in this trashy, clumsy and poorly-directed movie that can't even make sense of how Willard learns to communicate with his disgusting little friends.
Super Reviewer
Willard is an interesting horror tale about a social misfit who has a hard time and his only friends are rats. This is an eerie little horror yarn that is quite creepy, especially if you hate rats. The performances here are very good, and the lead actor who plays the title character, Bruce Davison is terrific and he gives the character a certain menacing charm that keeps you involved. Daniel Mann's direction is immaculate, and he crafts something unique and quite cheesy at the same name. However it works with effective results. The film has a dark atmosphere that is almost melancholic and helpless, which sets your distractions away from the cheesy notion of attacking rats. Aside from that, there are some impressive names like Ernest Borgnine. Willard is an entertaining picture that is sure to thrill horror fans and it boasts a well plotted story with a great cast and awesome direction. If you love old horror films that are somewhat forgotten, then give Willard a shot. This is a skin crawling affair that will certainly make you feel uncomfortable. This is a highly entertaining film that delivers s the thrills and chills. Willard has its imperfections, but due to a strong cast and well written script, this is a standout horror film that offers up a memorable and tense viewing experience. I really loved the film, and if you want a film that will give you the willies, then Willard is such a film. This is among the finest horror films of the 1970's and it is quite different as well. This is a film that deserves to be rediscovered and it really brings a tense, chilling atmosphere to the viewer. If you hate rats, then this will certainly make you feel uncomfortable from the first frame onwards. However it is a must see for sheer terror and great acting.
Super Reviewer
A pretty good cast, but the movie isn't very scary at all, in fact it's kind of funny at times. I liked it anyway.
Super Reviewer
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