The Harness
The Harness

The Harness

1971Movie100 minEnglish

A gentle John Steinbeck tale from 1938 about a farmer who is dominated by his ailing wife until a free-minded young woman turns up at his ranch with her eight-year-old son.

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Insights

IMDb5.1/10
Director: Gerd OswaldGenres: Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young girl, traumatized by the death of her mother, becomes obsessed with a horse and believes it is her mother's reincarnation. Her behavior escalates into disturbing interactions with the horse and isolated townspeople, leading to increasingly sinister events.

Critical Reception

This low-budget horror film received mixed to negative reviews upon its release, often criticized for its slow pacing and unsettling themes. However, it has garnered a cult following over the years for its unique premise and Roddy McDowall's performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Roddy McDowall's committed performance in a challenging role.
  • Criticized for its slow pacing and disturbing, ambiguous narrative.
  • Seen by some as an interesting, albeit flawed, entry into psychological horror.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce and often highlight the film's unnerving atmosphere and the disturbing central concept. Some viewers found it effectively creepy, while others found it too slow or confusing.

Fun Fact

The film's unsettling themes and graphic (for the time) nature led to it being considered quite controversial upon its initial release.

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