Wait Until Dark (1967)

American psychological thriller film directed by Terence Young, starring Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna.

Nail-bitingly tense and brilliantly acted, Wait Until Dark is a compact thriller that makes the most of its fiendishly clever premise.
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

Story: A recently blinded woman is terrorized by a trio of thugs while they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment. (IMDb)

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Wait Until Dark (1967) – A Tense Thriller That Keeps You in the Dark

– Retrospective & Movie Review –

In the pantheon of classic suspense thrillers, Wait Until Dark stands as a shining example of the genre’s power to captivate and terrify its audience.

Released in 1967, this film, directed by Terence Young, features an exceptional cast led by the luminous Audrey Hepburn, who delivers a performance that remains one of the highlights of her illustrious career. Wait Until Dark is a cinematic masterpiece that expertly weaves tension, fear, and human vulnerability into a suspenseful narrative.

Set in a cramped New York City apartment, the story revolves around Susy Hendrix (Audrey Hepburn), a recently blind woman, and her perilous encounter with a trio of con men.

When Susy unwittingly becomes the possessor of a doll filled with heroin, the criminals, led by the menacing Roat (Alan Arkin), hatch a cunning plan to retrieve their illicit cargo. What follows is a battle of wits between a resourceful blind woman and her ruthless pursuers that takes place almost entirely within the confines of Susy’s apartment.

At the heart of Wait Until Dark is Audrey Hepburn‘s tour de force performance as Susy Hendrix. Hepburn‘s portrayal of a vulnerable yet resilient blind woman is nothing short of astonishing.

Wait Until Dark (1967), Audrey Hepburn, Movie Review

Her physicality and emotional depth shine through in every scene, showcasing her remarkable talent and versatility as an actress. Hepburn‘s performance is a masterclass in character development and emotional nuance, making Susy a character the audience can wholeheartedly root for.

Opposite Hepburn, Alan Arkin is a revelation as the malevolent Roat. Arkin‘s portrayal is chillingly effective, with a quiet menace that oozes from his every gesture and word.

He crafts Roat into a memorable cinematic villain, one whose cunning intellect and ruthlessness make him a formidable adversary for the vulnerable Susy. Richard Crenna also delivers a solid performance as Mike Talman, a con man who finds himself conflicted as he becomes more entangled in Roat’s sinister plot.

What elevates Wait Until Dark beyond its excellent performances is its masterful use of suspense and tension. Director Terence Young employs a minimalist approach, relying on the confined space of Susy’s apartment to create an atmosphere of claustrophobia and dread.

The film’s lighting becomes a crucial element, as Susy learns to navigate in a world of darkness and shadows. The gradual revelation of the apartment’s layout to the audience is ingeniously handled, allowing us to empathize with Susy’s vulnerability while keeping us on edge.

One of the film’s most iconic sequences involves a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game played out in near-total darkness. As Susy and Roat engage in a deadly battle of wits, the tension becomes almost unbearable, and the audience is left breathless.

The film’s title, Wait Until Dark, takes on a dual meaning, referring not only to the literal darkness but also to the impending danger that lurks just out of sight.

The film’s score, composed by Henry Mancini, adds another layer of tension and atmosphere to the narrative. Mancini‘s haunting and minimalist music enhances the overall sense of unease, underscoring key moments with a sense of impending doom.

Wait Until Dark is a testament to the power of suspense cinema when executed with precision and skill. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to finish, offering a rollercoaster of emotions and a genuine sense of fear.

Terence Young‘s direction, Audrey Hepburn‘s remarkable performance, and Alan Arkin‘s chilling portrayal of a villain come together to create an enduring classic of the thriller genre.

In conclusion, Wait Until Dark remains a timeless and pulse-pounding thriller that continues to enthrall and terrify audiences with its expertly crafted suspense. Audrey Hepburn‘s unforgettable performance, coupled with the film’s ingenious use of darkness and tension, solidify its place as a classic that deserves to be celebrated and revisited by both longtime fans and new generations of moviegoers.

Stephen Galen Estevan

A cinephile whose love for the Silver Screen transcends eras and genres. Armed with a deep passion for films, from classic masterpieces to contemporary gems, I’m on a lifelong quest to explore all 100+ years of Cinema, one Frame at a time. Care to join the adventure?

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