Poster art by Tom Chantrell
The Lifetaker is a 1975 British psychological horror film directed by Michael Papas and starring Terence Morgan, Lea Dregorn, and soon-to-be Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan.
Plot teaser:
A deceived husband (Terence Morgan) engages his wife (Lea Dregorn) and her young lover (Peter Duncan) in a series of deadly games…
The Lifetaker had its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it was both lauded and criticized for its controversial themes of sex and violence and the corruption of youth. According to Papas, the film was scheduled to be released across the UK, but the managing director of EMI distribution cancelled the release after viewing the completed film due to its controversial themes.
Peter Duncan joined Blue Peter in 1980, and shortly afterwards it was revealed in a tabloid newspaper that Duncan had appeared nude in the The Lifetaker. The BBC refuted that he was ever a porn star in The Times. Whilst he does appear naked, the film is certainly not porn.
Reviews:
A stylish and erotically charged tale of obsession…. not only the quintessence of the kind of film they don’t make anymore, but is also radically unlike the kind of film they made even then.” Julian Upton (editor), Offbeat: British Cinema’s Curiosities, Obscurities and Forgotten Gems (Buy at Amazon.co.uk, an essential read!)
“Excellent Roeg-esque UK thriller… this dark, exotic morality piece is stylishly mounted is capably acted and has a suitably unflinching finale.” Giallo Goblin
IMDb | Michael Papas website | Tom Chantrell poster artist
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