Patrick (1978 film)

Last updated

Patrick
Patrick-australian-movie-poster-md.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Richard Franklin
Screenplay by Everett De Roche
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Donald McAlpine
Edited byEdward McQueen-Mason
Music by Brian May
Production
companies
Distributed byFilmways Australasian Distributors
Release date
  • 1 October 1978 (1978-10-01)(Australia)
Running time
110 minutes [1]
CountryAustralia
LanguageEnglish
Budget$400,000 [2]

Patrick is a 1978 Australian science fiction horror film directed by Richard Franklin and written by Everett De Roche. The film popularised Ozploitation films in other territories. [3] A remake was released in 2013.

Contents

Plot

Three years after murdering his parents, Patrick (Thompson) lies in a coma at the Roget Clinic, a private hospital in Melbourne. Following a job interview with Matron Cassidy (Blake), the head of the hospital, Kathy Jacquard (Penhaligon) is taken on as Patrick's new nurse. The hospital's owner, Dr. Roget (Helpmann), explains Patrick's condition to Kathy and says he is being kept alive to explore the nature of life and death. He also says that another patient, Capt. Fraser (Pym), claims that Patrick "flies in and out of the window at night." Elsewhere, Kathy deals with her ex-husband Ed (Mullinar), from whom she recently separated.

Unbeknownst to the hospital staff, Patrick has psychokinetic powers and has the ability to travel out of his body. He demonstrates his ability by moving objects in Cassidy's presence and attempting to drown Brian Wright (Barry), a doctor who flirts with Kathy, at a pool party. When Kathy tries typing a memo in Patrick's room, he takes over her movements and causes her to write his name. Patrick seems to begin communicating with Kathy via spitting, but remains silent when she brings in Cassidy to show her. However, after Cassidy leaves the room, Kathy discovers that Patrick has written "SECRET" through the typewriter.

Kathy and Brian return to her apartment to find it ransacked. Kathy assumes Ed is responsible, but he denies any wrongdoing. Patrick again tries to communicate with Kathy, showing her which parts of his body he can feel; he sports an erection when she reaches his genitals. Cassidy catches Kathy but, while not sacking her, warns her to not entertain theories about Patrick's consciousness as she continues caring for him. Kathy returns to her apartment to find that Ed has cleaned up the mess and fixed her dinner. Ed handles a hot casserole dish and severely burns his hands, but says he didn't feel a thing.

One night, Patrick possesses Kathy while she is typing and uses her to communicate a lewd and threatening message. He also takes over the typewriter to write an algebra equation she doesn't recognize. Meanwhile, Ed drops by the hospital with a bouquet and is lured into the broken lift by Patrick, who traps him inside. Kathy realizes Patrick has psychic powers, but Brian is reluctant to take her claims seriously. When Brian makes an inquiry about examining Patrick, Cassidy sacks Kathy. After Roget subjects Patrick to electroconvulsive therapy, he uses the typewriter to tell Kathy that the hospital staff is trying to kill him.

Kathy and Brian sneak into the hospital at night to examine Patrick. While this happens, Patrick compels Cassidy to return to the hospital, but she relents in opening the door to his room while they subject him to strobe lights. After the two leave, Patrick possesses Cassidy and causes her to fatally electrocute herself in the basement, then turns his head to look at a frightened nurse. Kathy is questioned about the blackout and is present when Cassidy's body is discovered. She persuades the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Grant (Wilson), to speak to Brian about Patrick's abilities, but both men dismiss her claims that Patrick murdered the matron.

Kathy realizes Ed is missing. She contacts Grant, who tells her that Ed's car was towed from outside the hospital. Meanwhile, Patrick uses his powers to attack Roget when he attempts to inject him with potassium chloride. Kathy confronts Patrick, who gives her the choice of either injecting him with the syringe or letting Ed die. Kathy reluctantly chooses to kill Patrick, who nearly causes her to take the syringe as well. Ed, who is released from the lift, arrives in the room and saves her at the last minute. Despite apparently flatlining, Patrick leaps from his bed and crashes into a cabinet in what Roget assumes is a motor reflex. However, after Kathy closes Patrick's eyes and leaves the room, he awakens again.

Cast

Production

This was the second script Everett de Roche had ever written, following Long Weekend (1978). It had been around for a number of years before director Richard Franklin became attached. The two men had both worked for Crawford Productions although not together until then. De Roche says when Franklin became involved the script was "a rambling 250 pages" and Franklin taught him the elements of drama and suspense. He says the final scene of Patrick leaping out of his bed was inspired by trip to a carnival Franklin had made where a man in a gorilla suit burst out into the audience, causing everyone to scream. They then started working backwards from this scene. [4]

Franklin brought in Antony I. Ginnane who raised finance. The Australian Film Commission and Victorian Film Corporation contributed about half the budget, with the rest obtained privately. Ginnane later said he thought De Roche's script was one of the best ever written in Australia. [5]

Judy Morris was originally announced as star. [6] However British film actor Susan Penhaligon was imported to play the lead, which Ginnane thought helped secure the film a sale in Britain. [7]

Richard Franklin later recalled:

I'd done Eskimo Nell in the Australian idiom, and... my [American] friends didn't understand it. So I thought, well, I'll go to the other extreme and have everybody speaking Queen's English. And so I had everybody doing, not so much English accents as just speaking Queen's English. [8]

Robert Helpmann broke his back during filming trying to lift up Robert Thompson in one scene. [8]

Music

The musical score for Patrick was composed and conducted by Australian composer Brian May, who previously composed the music for Franklin's The True Story of Eskimo Nell and was produced by Philip Powers for release on CD with a few short cues of additional music not on the initial LP album. In Italy, the film was re-scored by progressive rock band Goblin. [9] [10]

Reception

The film was considered a disappointment at the Australian box office but was highly successful internationally, selling to over 30 countries and performing well in the US. [2] [7] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 42% of 12 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.50/10. [11]

The Encyclopedia of Fantasy notes the similarity between the film's plot and that of the novel Tetrasomy Two by Oscar Rossiter (nom de plume of Dr. Vernon H.Skeels (1918-2007) ). [12]

Franklin says he would refer to this film as "my first film. Even though there were one and a half films before it." [8] However, he was unhappy with the American release of the film which was re-dubbed into American accents and recut. [13]

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is a fan and borrowed from Patrick for a scene in Kill Bill where the bride is in her coma and spits on the orderly, mimicking Patrick. He relates the story in Mark Hartley's documentary Not Quite Hollywood .[ citation needed ]

Accolades

AwardCategorySubjectResult
AACTA Award
(1978 Australian Film Institute Awards)		 Best Film Richard Franklin Nominated
Antony I. Ginnane Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Everett De Roche Nominated
Best Editing Edward McQueen-MasonNominated
Avoriaz Fantastic Film FestivalGrand PrizeRichard FranklinWon
Sitges Fantasy Film Festival Prize[ citation needed ]Best DirectorWon
Saturn Award Best Foreign FilmNominated

Legacy

Sequel

In 1980, an unauthorized sequel entitled Patrick vive ancora (released in English as Patrick Still Lives and Patrick Is Still Alive) was released. [14] The film followed a young boy named Patrick that was sent into a coma after a roadside accident. The film was billed as and is sometimes referred to as a direct sequel to the events of the 1978 film, but aside from the name and premise of a comatose person with psychic powers, the sequel is unrelated to the earlier film.

Remake

In February 2010, director Mark Hartley announced his intent to direct a remake of the 1978 film. [15] The film, Patrick , was released on 27 July 2013 at the Melbourne International Film Festival and stars Jackson Gallagher as the titular Patrick. The film received positive reviews.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Helpmann</span> Australian dancer, actor, theatre director and choreographer (1909–1986)

Sir Robert Murray Helpmann CBE was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, director, and choreographer. After early work in Australia he moved to Britain in 1932, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet under its creator, Ninette de Valois. He became one of the company's leading men, partnering Alicia Markova and later Margot Fonteyn. When Frederick Ashton, the company's chief choreographer, was called up for military service in the Second World War, Helpmann took over from him while continuing as a principal dancer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annie Wilkes</span> Fictional character in the 1987 novel Misery

Annie Wilkes is a character originating from Stephen King's 1987 novel Misery, in which she acts as one of the two central characters and main antagonist. In 2022, King picked her as his personal favorite character among all those he created in his literary career.

<i>Carry On Nurse</i> 1959 British comedy film by Gerald Thomas

Carry On Nurse is a 1959 British comedy film, the second in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). Of the regular team, it featured Joan Sims, Kenneth Williams, Kenneth Connor and Charles Hawtrey, with Hattie Jacques and Leslie Phillips. The film was written by Norman Hudis based on the play Ring for Catty by Patrick Cargill and Jack Beale. It was the top-grossing film of 1959 in the United Kingdom and, with an audience of 10.4 million, had the highest cinema viewing of any of the "Carry On" films. Perhaps surprisingly, it was also highly successful in the United States, where it was reported that it played at some cinemas for three years. The film was followed by Carry On Teacher 1959.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matron</span> Senior nurse in a hospital

Matron is the job title of a very senior or the chief nurse in several countries, including the United Kingdom, and other Commonwealth countries and former colonies.

<i>Carry On Doctor</i> 1967 British comedy film by Gerald Thomas

Carry On Doctor is a 1967 British comedy film, the 15th in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It is the second in the series to have a medical theme. Frankie Howerd makes the first of his two appearances in the film series and stars alongside regulars Sid James, Kenneth Williams, Jim Dale, Charles Hawtrey, Joan Sims, Peter Butterworth, and Bernard Bresslaw. Hattie Jacques returns for the first time since Carry On Cabby four years earlier, while Barbara Windsor returns after her debut in Carry On Spying three years earlier. Carry On Doctor marks Anita Harris's second and final appearance in the series. The film was followed by Carry On Up the Khyber in 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Franklin (director)</span> Australian film director (1948–2007)

Richard Franklin was an Australian film director.

<i>The Survivor</i> (1981 film) 1981 Australian film by David Hemmings

The Survivor is a 1981 Australian supernatural horror film directed by David Hemmings and starring Robert Powell, Jenny Agutter, and Joseph Cotten. The film follows an airline pilot who, after surviving a mysterious crash that killed all of his passengers, is contacted by a clairvoyant who claims to be in contact with the victims. It is based on the 1976 novel of the same name by James Herbert. The film marked Cotten's final feature film appearance.

Sheila Allen was an English actress, who was best known to the wider public for her role on television as Cassie Manson in Bouquet Of Barbed Wire and its sequel Another Bouquet (1976–77). From 1966 to 1978, Allen was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

<i>Thirst</i> (1979 film) 1979 Australian film

Thirst is a 1979 Australian horror film directed by Rod Hardy and starring Chantal Contouri, Max Phipps, and David Hemmings. It has been described as a blend of vampire and science fiction genres, influenced by the 1973 film Soylent Green as well as drawing on the vampire folklore of Elizabeth Báthory – one of several vampire films in the 1970s to do so.

<i>Race for the Yankee Zephyr</i> 1981 New Zealand suspense-action-thriller film by David Hemmings

Race for the Yankee Zephyr is a 1981 action adventure film directed by David Hemmings and starring Ken Wahl, Lesley Ann Warren, George Peppard and Donald Pleasence.

Antony I. Ginnane is an Australian film producer best known for his work in the exploitation field. He was head of the Screen Producers Association of Australia from 2008 to 2011. He has been described as "Australia's Roger Corman" or Australia's equivalent to Robert Lippert.

<i>Private Road</i> 1971 British film by Barney Platts-Mills

Private Road is a 1971 British drama film directed by Barney Platts-Mills and starring Susan Penhaligon and Bruce Robinson. It was Platts-Mills second feature, following his debut with Bronco Bullfrog (1970).

<i>Fantasm</i> 1976 Australian film

Fantasm is a 1976 Australian softcore pornographic film, directed by Richard Franklin under a pseudonym. It was followed by a sequel, Fantasm Comes Again, the following year, directed by a pseudonymous Colin Eggleston.

Everett De Roche (1946–2014) was an American-Australian screenwriter who worked extensively in the Australian film and TV industry. He was best known for his work in the thriller and horror genre, with such credits as Long Weekend, Patrick, and Roadgames.

<i>Snapshot</i> (film) 1979 film by Simon Wincer

Snapshot is a 1979 Australian thriller film directed by Simon Wincer in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Sigrid Thornton, Chantal Contouri and Robert Bruning. The film was shot on an estimated budget of $300,000.

<i>Patrick</i> (2013 film) Australian film directed by Mark Hartley

Patrick is a 2013 Australian supernatural horror film directed by Mark Hartley and a remake of the 1978 film of the same name. It had its world premiere on 27 July 2013 at the Melbourne International Film Festival and received a limited theatrical release on 14 March 2014, followed by a DVD release the following month. Its Canadian theatrical premiere was at the Lost Episode Festival Toronto on 5 July 2014.

<i>The Dreaming</i> (film) 1988 Australian film

The Dreaming is a 1988 Australian horror film directed by Mario Andreacchio and starring Arthur Dignam, Penny Cook, and Gary Sweet.

<i>Roadgames</i> 1981 Australian film

Roadgames is a 1981 Australian thriller film directed by Richard Franklin and starring Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film follows a truck driver travelling across Australia who, along with the help of a hitchhiker, seeks to track down a serial killer who is butchering women and dumping their dismembered bodies along desolate highways.

Kathy May Fritz is an American former professional tennis player. She reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals, once at the US Open in 1978 and twice at the French Open in 1977 and 1978. She won seven WTA singles titles during her career, and achieved a career-high ranking of world no. 10 in 1977.

<i>Roadgames: Original Soundtrack Recording</i> 1992 soundtrack album by Brian May

Roadgames: Original Soundtrack Recording is the soundtrack album from the 1981 Australian film of Roadgames.

References

  1. ↑ "PATRICK (X)". British Board of Film Classification . 28 December 1978. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Profit, praise for "Patrick"". The Australian Women's Weekly . National Library of Australia. 5 July 1978. p. 15. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Video Overview Patrick (1978) on ASO". Australian Screen Online . National Film and Sound Archive. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  4. ↑ An Interview with Everett de Roche, Spectacular Optical, 1 June 2012 accessed 19 October 2012
  5. ↑ Beilby, Peter and Scott Murray, 'Antony I. Ginnane', Cinema Papers, January/February 1979 p178-179
  6. ↑ "WHO'S DOING WHAT". Filmnews . Vol. 7, no. 3. New South Wales, Australia. 1 April 1977. p. 14. Retrieved 28 May 2016– via National Library of Australia.
  7. 1 2 David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p251-252
  8. 1 2 3 Interview with Richard Franklin, Mondo Stump, originally published in Eros Magazine Vol 3 No 1 (2003), Canberra accessed 15 October 2012
  9. ↑ McFarlane, Dean. "Patrick - Goblin". AllMusic . Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  10. ↑ Twells, John (30 October 2013). "A Beginner's Guide to Italian Horror Trailblazers Goblin". Fact . p. 6. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Patrick". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  12. ↑ "Like "Tetrasomy Two", Skeels was a true original".
  13. ↑ Scott Murray, "Richard Franklin: Director/Producer", Senses of Cinema, 12 July 2008 accessed 26 October 2012
  14. ↑ "Patrick vive ancora". IMDb. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
  15. ↑ "'Not Quite Hollywood' Director to Remake Aussie Thriller 'Patrick'". 21 February 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.