The Night Visitor (1971)

hyped garbage

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This film about a man, Salem (Max Von Sydow), sent to an insane asylum after being wrongfully convicted of the ax murder of a farm hand two years ago, who escapes at night to avenge himself of those that did him wrong by having a part in his imprisonment. And then somehow he lets himself back in without anybody at the asylum noticing.I never saw a location mentioned, but one imdb reviewer said it was Jutland, in Denmark.It is obvious from the beginning what Salem is doing once he is loose - he is trying to pin the murders that he is committing on the person he thinks actually committed the murder of the farm hand - Anton. But the police inspector (Trevor Howard) is having none of it. For one thing, Anton actually saw Salem in his house - Salem let the guy see him - so Anton would sound crazy when he talked to the inspector. Why would Anton make up this particular story, casting blame on a man who is locked up? And this has the inspector visiting the asylum to see if it would be possible for Salem to escape and then get back in, and it looks pretty impossible and yet...his doubts linger because he does not arrest Anton in spite of having plenty of evidence.This little thriller was pretty unique despite some implausibilities and some linguistic problems. Why is the asylum so close to the homes of the village in which Salem lived? How is he able to run through the woods for what looks like a few miles in his underwear in sub freezing weather without freezing to death? Wouldn't all of this been easier for Salem in the summertime? Why does half the cast sound Swedish and the other half sound British? In spite of this I really enjoyed this unique little film. And the final irony of the film is delightful.

Would this be called Norwegian Noir? Not sure how to categorize it- just see it without knowing anything about it and let it chill you.

Underrated crime picture that is very deliberate and very effective. Set in rural Sweden, "The Night Visitor" is a cat-and-mouse movie which holds your interest throughout, even though it is slow to get underway. Salem (Max Von Sydow) is framed for murder and is sent to an insane asylum, where he manages to escape periodically to exact his revenge on his antagonists. The detective assigned to the case (Trevor Howard) has his work cut out for him - how can he prove that it is Salem himself, incarcerated in an escape-proof asylum, who is responsible for the grisly murders taking place?Director Benedek goes to great pains to create the appropriate mood to show us how Salem goes about his deadly business. It is fascinating to watch his painstaking escapes and returns to prison, leaving no stone unturned to cover his traces. Be aware the murders are pretty gruesome, making you feel that maybe he wasn't framed after all.You will love the surprise ending of this nearly-unknown blood-and-gore indy picture, made when nobody was looking and which quickly dropped out of sight. It's tough to find, but do yourself a favor if you like this genre.

Max Von Sydow brilliantly portrays Salem, a patient at an insane asylum. The chilling cinematography of some guy in his underwear running around in the chilling snow fields makes this thriller even more chilling. But wait till you hear the chilling score by Henry Mancini. He wisely uses de-tuned piano notes that set a perfect mood.