Released in 1972 The Killing Kind was the 9th film directed by low budget horror director/ writer Curtis Harrington- (Ruby, Queen Of Blood, Who Ever Slew Auntie Roo?, & Night Tide). I’d been aware of  Harrington for a few years now, but before seeing The Killing Kind had only seen Ruby- which I felt was a rather tepid & ponderous blend of Carrie & The Exorcist. Thankfully The Killing Kind had much more impact/ effect on me- and it really highlights Harrington ability to blending a feeling of unease, with sudden moments of shock/ horror.

The film follows troubled late teen Terry Lambert - who returns home to his overbearing mother Thelma, after serving a prison term for a gang-rape he was forced into participating in. And surely but slowly, both his cruelty & salinity unfolds. Terry is played by US actor John Savage(The Deer Hunter, Hair, Salavodor)- he manages to get the perfect balance between slight unhingment  & all out deranged psychopathy. His mother Thelma is played aged & slightly podgy 1930’s starlet Ann Sothern- and she gives a great turn as his overbearing & slightly creepy mother.

The main setting for the film is a rambling mansion- where Thelma runs a boarding house for mainly elderly ladies and looks after her cats. Into this setting/ situation comes young want-be model Lori…which really sends to things very much askew. Over the films just over hour & a half runtime, we get a series of great quirky characters- like the make-up wearing wheelchair-bound elderly neighbour and his unbalanced librarian daughter. A decidedly masculine layer, and the collection of odd old ladies in the mansion. Some great & unbalanced  performances from both of the leads. A host of unsettling encounters, and some generally un-nerving psychosexual attacks. All making this a real undiscovered 70’s gem

On the disc, you get three versions of the film- A original English language cut,  A English language with French subtitles, and a French language version. The print here looks good enough, and as you’d expect with a 70’s film it’s full with browns & yellow colors. Extra wise you get a just under half-an-hour feature about the film & director Harrington- this is sadly only in French, but from what I could gather it looks informative enough. We also get a 15/ 20-minute horror short featuring respected French cult actor  Philippe Nahon(High Tension, Irreversible, Carne), and a selection of trailers.

The Killing Kind really does deserve more attention & praise, as it’s well made, well acted, and at times shocking little 1970’s thriller. As far as I’m aware this is the only full-uncut DVD edition of the film- so if it sounds like your cup of tea- do head over to Artus here to pick up a copy direct.