Watch The Collector

The Collector is a psychological thriller film from 1965 based on the book of the same name by John Fowles. The movie stars Terence Stamp as Frederick Clegg, a shy and introverted young man who becomes obsessed with a beautiful art student named Miranda Grey, played by Samantha Eggar. Clegg is a butterfly collector who buys a remote house in the countryside with the hope of capturing and keeping Miranda captive. He uses chloroform to knock her unconscious and takes her to his basement, where he keeps her in a small room to fulfill his twisted fantasy of owning her. Though she makes several attempts to escape, she is always caught and punished. Meanwhile, Clegg tries to build a connection with her by being nice to her and trying to understand her.

As the days turn into weeks and eventually months, Clegg believes his relationship with Miranda is growing stronger. But she is still held captive and knows she must do whatever she can to escape before she is trapped with him forever.

The movie explores the nature of obsession and the lengths people will go to fulfill their desires. Terence Stamp delivers a chilling performance as the disturbed and emotionally stunted Clegg, whose intentions are not initially clear. He is awkward and clumsy in his interactions with Miranda, yet his facade of civility and gentle demeanor hide a more insidious motive.

Samantha Eggar is equally impressive as Miranda. She manages to convey both fear and desperation as she tries to escape from her captor, while also showing the fierce intelligence and cunning necessary to stay alive.

The Collector is a haunting character study of two people brought together by a sinister plot. It is an intense and suspenseful thriller that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Mona Washbourne plays Aunt Annie, a key figure in Clegg's life who provides some insight into his past and adds another layer to his character.

Directed by William Wyler, the movie is a departure from his usual fare of big-budget epics like Ben-Hur, Funny Girl, and Roman Holiday. It is a smaller, more intimate movie that relies on the characters and the performances to drive the story. The cinematography and production design are also noteworthy, with some impressive and memorable shots of the beautiful butterflies that Clegg collects.

Despite its disturbing subject matter, The Collector was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Director for Wyler. Stamp and Eggar also received praise for their performances.

In conclusion, The Collector is a classic thriller that delves deep into the psyche of two damaged individuals. It features standout performances from its leads and a strong script that keeps viewers engaged from beginning to end. It's a movie that should not be missed by fans of the genre.

The Collector is a 1965 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.