Robert Mitchum plays what has to be one of the most sinister, greasy, menacing characters ever. He's just out of jail after 8 years and wants revenge on the guy who testified against him (Gregory Peck, tight-assed as ever). But no simple revenge like beating him up or even murder, he wants to torment his family, especially his young daughter. He first confronts Peck in the parking lot after work one day and declares his intentions, then proceeds to show up watching the family all over town. He doesn't do anything, just shows up where the family is and keeps them on edge.
What can they do about it? Can't run him out of town or have him arrested without actual crimes being committed, so he just keeps on tormenting them by showing up here and there and promising lewd things, like the skin-crawling scene at the marina where he all but says he's going to rape the 12-year old! Wild, ugly stuff for 1962. Mitchum carries the movie but the premise is a great one. J. Lee Thompson almost out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock here with a razor sharp psychological thriller.
What can they do about it? Can't run him out of town or have him arrested without actual crimes being committed, so he just keeps on tormenting them by showing up here and there and promising lewd things, like the skin-crawling scene at the marina where he all but says he's going to rape the 12-year old! Wild, ugly stuff for 1962. Mitchum carries the movie but the premise is a great one. J. Lee Thompson almost out-Hitchcocks Hitchcock here with a razor sharp psychological thriller.