Kattiera Nana I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

lost-in-limbo This film had been on my "to watch-list" for quite a while now and re-watching it again cemented that I had only watched the cut version; "What the Peeper Saw" and not the uncut take "Night Child". There's probably 5-10 minutes of extra footage and being a little more explicit (in its nudity and risqué developments) like the opening intro. Elise has just married an English author and has moved in with him at his villa in Spain, but soon his twelve year old son Marcus (her step-son) arrives on the scene. Something about him just makes her nervous, as his quite smart, but seamlessly a lonely figure and his father believes it has to do with the death of his mother two years ago. However Elise begins have doubts about Marcus intentions, as he goes about trying to exploit and feed upon that paranoia to cause friction between Elisa her husband. Similar in tone to the disturbing erotic thriller "The Sailor who fell from Grace with the Sea", the 70's multi-European production "Night Child" is a luridly brooding and audaciously voyeuristic psychological drama in the mould of those monstrous, but intellectual children who get enjoyment out of toying around with those who are vulnerable and manipulating things to their own liking. It's strange seeing Mark Lester (of "Oliver" fame) in that type of role, but he nails down one perversely sinister and obsessed performance. He comes across as one very mature weirdo. There's moments when you do question is he really that devious, or maybe it's all in the overactive imagination of Ekland's unstable character. But there really seems to be no doubt, despite the teasing nature of the story's structure and the finale with the scheming exchanges between Lester and Ekland. It's quite sombre and slow-going, as the tension is fuelled by the snappy character interactions, intense dialogues, unsure behaviour and edgy circumstances that Ekland's character finds herself in. Some moments you wouldn't catch nowadays, as underneath the surface there's an uneasy immoral sexual attraction between the two which starts off as innuendos and then advancements that leads to the infamous strip-down. The low-key story is a moody display of mind games (interesting to see the tables turned as just who's the evil one; not the step-mother) and uncomfortable situations, as it doesn't play for shocks or thrills (although there's one haunting pool sequence and the final few frames is quite jolting with a lasting blow). The directors (James Kelly and Andrea Bianchi) do a sturdy job, but try something experimental in where some scenes the formidable music swamps the dialogues (leaning on the body movements to tell the emotions along with the music) and towards the end it sends up some surreal, tripped-out visions implying the neurotic mindset of Ekland's character. Going a long way to selling it is a dependable performance by Brit Ekland. Looking radiant as ever (especially that doll face), she plays it in a rather mystified manner drawing up a wholehearted characterisation. Also appearing in good, potent parts are Harry Kruger, Harry Andrews and Lilly Palmers. Ekland's scenes with Andrews and Palmers are small, but are good contrasts to what goes to eventuate with her character. Stelvio Cipriani's music score is sensually enticing. "Curiosity was her downfall."

The_Void Night Hair Child has all the elements to be a disturbing and dark thriller; especially considering the sick and twisted plot line. However, despite a few interesting ideas; this film doesn't capitalise on them, and unfortunately it's only an average film that is nowhere near as disturbing as it could have been. The plot basically focuses on the idea of a 'problem child' causing problems between his parent and a new significant other. The problem child idea has been done many times throughout cinema; but a less common variant is a film like this, where sleaze take centre stage. However, such is the disappointment of Night Hair Child; not even the sleaze is all that prominent. The plot focuses on Elise; a beautiful young woman who has married older man Paul. Paul's wife apparently died in a strange bathtub incident and this has had a damning effect on her son Marcus, who unluckily for Elise, has returned home from school early and has took it upon himself to wreck their marriage by way of getting in between them with lies and bad behaviour.The main problem with this film is definitely the acting. A plot like this needs strong performances from the leads and it just doesn't get them. Britt Ekland has been good in other films where a great performance is not needed; but she just doesn't have the talent for this role and despite looking nice, she doesn't deliver what is needed. Her opposite number is Mark Lester. I can completely understand the attraction of having the star of Oliver in a role as a twisted sex pervert; but unfortunately, he's a terrible actor that never conveys any emotion at all and simply does not convince in his role. He's also very irritating and every scene he features in is a struggle to get through. The plot is nowhere near as interesting as it could have been either; the exchanges between the central characters lack imagination, and only the scene where Britt Ekland strips for Mark Lester is really memorable; and it's not as memorable as a similar scene in Lucio Fulci's Don't Torture a Duckling starring Barbara Bouchet. Overall, it's a shame but I wouldn't really say that this film is even worth a look.

hermann_01 This is one of Britt Eckland's earlier films and was largely ignored on release in the UK, as it was support film for 'Don't Look Back', with Donald Sutherland.The plot is convoluted and somewhat difficult to follow.Ther is in the uncut version a considerable amount of nudity, and at the time a certain controversy was a stirred up. Britt Eckland is often naked when the 12 yr old boy is present,on shot, and in one scene, the boy sits in a chair and makes her perform a full strip in front of him, her genital region only obscured by the boy's head. For nude rear scenes, a body-double was used for Britt Eckland's character, as was often the case with Eckland.

chad478 I first saw OLIVER! six years ago, and I knew that the angelic-looking young actor playing the title role had to be the greatest child actor ever, and I was absolutely right. I have never seen a more bright and talented young actor. Lester is truly amazing. Right after I saw the film, I started seeking out other Mark Lester titles. The first and best I came across is the 1971 chiller, NIGHT CHILD, in which Mark gives what may very well be the greatest performance ever given by a child actor. Lester plays Marcus, a disturbed young boy who may have murdered his mother, and he may have similar plans for his father's new wife. I won't say anything more about the plot, but I will say that Mark Lester's performance is magnificent. He proves that he is the most skilled and versatile actor ever. It's unfortunate that this film isn't more well-known, but Lester's strong performance makes it something really special. It isn't likely that you"ll find the film in your local video store, but if you ever get the opportunity to see it, don't miss out!