Watch Private Property
- NR
- 1960
- 1 hr 20 min
-
6.7 (1,276)
Private Property is a psychological thriller movie that was released in 1960. Directed by Leslie Stevens, the movie stars Warren Oates as Duke, Corey Allen as Boots, and Kate Manx as Annabel. The movie blends elements of film noir and psychological drama to create a suspenseful tale. The movie starts with Duke and Boots, two drifters, wandering around Los Angeles in search of a good time. They stumble upon Annabel, an attractive suburban housewife who lives with her husband in a large mansion in the hills. Duke and Boots are immediately drawn to Annabel and decide to scheme their way into her home. They tell her that their car has broken down and they need a place to stay for the night. Annabel, out of sympathy, allows them to stay in her guest house.
As the days pass, Duke and Boots become more and more obsessed with Annabel. They start to spy on her and carefully plan their next moves. Duke is the more aggressive one of the two, while Boots undermines him by planting seeds of doubt in Annabel's mind. Annabel, who is initially naive, starts to sense that something is wrong with the two men. But she continues to ignore her instincts.
The tension between the three characters reaches its peak when Annabel's husband goes out of town for the weekend. Duke and Boots exploit their newfound freedom and launch a series of attacks on Annabel's psychological well-being. They isolate her from the outside world and push her to her limits. Annabel fights back, but she soon realizes that she cannot escape the clutches of her two tormentors.
Private Property is a character-driven movie that relies heavily on the acting skills of the main cast. Warren Oates, Corey Allen, and Kate Manx all deliver powerful performances that capture the essence of their respective characters. Oates, in particular, is exceptional as Duke - a charismatic, but dangerous, drifter who craves power and control. Allen, on the other hand, brings nuance to Boots' character with his subtle manipulation of Annabel. Kate Manx's portrayal of Annabel is both vulnerable and strong, as she attempts to stand up to Duke and Boots' cruelty.
The movie's noirish cinematography and haunting score add to the overall experience. There are several standout scenes, such as a tense confrontation between Duke and Annabel at a pool party, and a disturbing sequence in which Duke maneuvers Annabel into a compromising position. The movie's ending is both shocking and inevitable, as the characters face the consequences of their actions.
Despite its low budget and somewhat dated portrayal of gender roles, Private Property is a haunting and psychologically complex movie that explores the darker side of human nature. The movie has been praised for its unique perspective on the classic film noir genre and for its unflinching portrayal of the characters' motives.
In conclusion, Private Property is a movie that manages to stay relevant more than half a century after its release. Leslie Stevens' direction, combined with the strong performances of the main cast, make for a gripping and intense viewing experience. Fans of film noir and psychological thrillers will find plenty to admire in this overlooked gem of a movie.
Private Property is a 1960 art house & international movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 80.