The Brood (1979)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writer:

David Cronenberg (written by)

Release Date:

25 May 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The Ultimate Experience Of Inner Terror

Plot:

A man tries to uncover an unconventional psychologist's therapy techniques on his institutionalized wife, while a series of brutal attacks committed by a brood of mutant children coincides with the husband's investigation.

Plot Keywords:

Children | Mutant | Cult Director | Bloody Body Of Child | Child Murder

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Oliver Reed	...	Dr. Hal Raglan
Samantha Eggar	...	Nola Carveth
Art Hindle	...	Frank Carveth
Henry Beckman	...	Barton Kelly
Nuala Fitzgerald	...	Juliana Kelly
Cindy Hinds	...	Candice Carveth
Susan Hogan	...	Ruth Mayer
Gary McKeehan	...	Mike Trellan
Michael Magee	...	Inspector
Robert A. Silverman	...	Jan Hartog (as Robert Silverman)
Joseph Shaw	...	Coroner
Larry Solway	...	Lawyer
Reiner Schwartz	...	Dr. Birkin
Felix Silla	...	Creature
John Ferguson	...	Creature

Also Known As:

David Cronenberg's The Brood (Canada: English title) (complete title)
La clinique de la terreur (Canada: French title)

Runtime:

92 min | Canada:90 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:K-18 | Netherlands:16 | UK:X (theatrical rating) | Portugal:M/16 | Sweden:15 | West Germany:18 | Italy:VM18 | Australia:R | France:-16 | UK:18 | USA:R | Norway:18 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Magder Studio, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)

Trivia:

David Cronenberg wrote the film following the tumultuous divorce and child-custody battle he waged against Margaret Hindson. Cronenberg also said that Samantha Eggar's character, Nola Carveth, possessed some of the characteristics of his ex-wife.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the climactic scenes at the shed, the blood stains on the lapel of Frank's jacket disappear and reappear.

Quotes:

Juliana Kelly: Thirty seconds after you're born you have a past and sixty seconds after that you begin to lie to yourself about it.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Nightmare in Canada: Canadian Horror on Film (2004) (TV)

Contains one of the most memorable scenes in film history!

David Cronenberg's "The Brood" is both frightening and shocking. A tale of psychological horror guaranteed to make even the most jaded horror fan recoil in disbelief. The plot in a nutshell - In the care of an eccentric therapist (Oliver Reed), a woman (Samantha Eggar) undergoes an experimental form of anger management; while parallel to her treatment are a serious of bizarre and questionable murders. At the heart of the story is her husband (Art Hindle), who is in desperate search of the truth behind the strange goings on. The film is especially visually appealing; with perfectly framed scenes, cold & stark cinematography, and classy looking 70's costume design. The special effects though minimal throughout the film, are both amazing and disturbing. Cronenberg masterfully stages the murders in a thrillingly suspenseful and brutally violent manner, effectively balancing the terror between what is seen and not seen. It is questionable if filmmakers in today's world would be bold enough to make this film. The eerie musical score by (now veteran) Howard Shore creates an extra degree of tension to the unfolding events. The performances are all convincing, and definitely above par for a horror movie. With a shocking final twist; this movie is not to be missed, a highly recommended 9/10!