Watch Nightmare

Set in London during the 1960s, Nightmare follows the story of a young man named Jim who is haunted by a recurring nightmare. The eerie dream begins with him being chased by a mysterious figure in a black coat and hat, who eventually catches up to him and stabs him with a pair of scissors. After the nightmare, Jim wakes up in a panic, sweating and gasping for air.

Jim's girlfriend Janet and his friend Mike become increasingly concerned for his mental health as the nightmares persist and he becomes more and more obsessed with the possibility that the dream is somehow real. The physical evidence, however, suggests otherwise. Jim has no visible wounds, and the murder weapon is nowhere to be found.

As the story unfolds, Jim's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and his relationships with Janet and Mike begin to suffer. The plot thickens when a mysterious woman named Paula enters the scene, claiming to have had the same nightmare as Jim. The two begin to investigate the root of their shared nightmare, which leads them down an increasingly dangerous and terrifying path.

Throughout the film, director Freddie Francis expertly builds suspense through the use of unsettling visual and audio cues. The ominous figure in the black coat and hat is a constant presence, always lurking just out of sight. The film's soundtrack, composed by famous composer and conductor Bernard Herrmann, is equally haunting, featuring chilling strings and eerie chimes.

The performances in Nightmare are also noteworthy, particularly those of David Knight and Moira Redmond, who play Jim and Paula, respectively. Knight's portrayal of Jim is both sympathetic and unnerving, as he descends into madness and paranoia. Redmond's performance as the mysterious Paula is also excellent, as she exudes a sense of otherworldliness that keeps the audience guessing about her true intentions.

Overall, Nightmare is a masterful piece of psychological horror that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats. It is a truly classic film that pioneered many of the themes and techniques that are now staples of the horror genre. Even today, more than half a century after its release, Nightmare remains a must-see for any true horror fan.

Nightmare is a 1963 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.