Mystery,Horror,Thriller
United Kingdom
Taste of Fear is a British thriller film released in 1961. The film stars Susan Strasberg as a young woman named Penny Appleby who is confined to a wheelchair due to a riding accident that occurred when she was a child. After ten years, Penny returns to her father's estate on the French Riviera, where she reunites with her stepmother Jane (played by Ann Todd) and her father's chauffeur, Bob (played by Ronald Lewis).
However, Penny is surprised to learn that her father is away on business and won't return for several weeks. As she tries to settle into her new surroundings, strange things begin to happen around the estate. Penny keeps seeing her father's corpse in various locations, but everyone assures her that he is still alive and well.
As the days go by, Penny becomes increasingly convinced that her father has been murdered and that his body is being hidden somewhere on the estate. She begins to suspect everyone around her, including Jane and Bob, as well as her father's business associates, Dr. Gerrard (played by Christopher Lee) and Gordon (played by Peter Sallis).
As Penny tries to unravel the mystery, she finds herself in grave danger, and must use all of her wits and courage to survive. The film builds to a tense and dramatic climax, as the true identity of the murderer is finally revealed.
Taste of Fear is notable for its atmospheric cinematography and its clever plot twists, as well as its strong performances by Strasberg and the rest of the cast. The film was directed by Seth Holt, with a screenplay by Jimmy Sangster. It remains a classic example of British suspense filmmaking from the 1960s.
