Find an amnesiac, slowly add details to their memory that doesn't exist, including details of a non-existent marriage and eventually make that person turn homicidal. That's the plan for psychiatrist Anthony Perkins who discovers that his wife, Jill Ireland, has been having an affair, remaining in town when she's supposed to be out visiting her brother. Patient Charles Bronson has been suffering from amnesia so Perkins goes out of his way to be the very good doctor, but there's much more to his concern that Bronson sticks around, leading to speculation later on that Bronson has committed murder leaving Perkins free and clear.
A complex plot, and a different type of role for Bronson who can only react to the manipulation he's going under by gullibly believing everything that Perkins has to say. For Anthony, it's a different kind of darkness than his "Psycho" character, truly sinister as he uses Bronson for his own dirty motives. Quite a diabolical plot, and both Perkins and Bronson are superb, aided by a very crafty script. It's easy to see why American actors took these jobs in English language continental films, both for the free working vacation and the unique plotlines, far more artistic than what they were normally being offered.
A complex plot, and a different type of role for Bronson who can only react to the manipulation he's going under by gullibly believing everything that Perkins has to say. For Anthony, it's a different kind of darkness than his "Psycho" character, truly sinister as he uses Bronson for his own dirty motives. Quite a diabolical plot, and both Perkins and Bronson are superb, aided by a very crafty script. It's easy to see why American actors took these jobs in English language continental films, both for the free working vacation and the unique plotlines, far more artistic than what they were normally being offered.