Watch The House in the Woods

The House in the Woods is a British mystery-thriller film from 1957, directed by Maxwell Munden and starring Ronald Howard, Patricia Roc, and Michael Gough. The storyline revolves around a group of eight friends who decide to spend a weekend together in a remote woodland cottage, located in the countryside of Surrey. But, as things unfold, it becomes clear that the holiday is going to be anything but a peaceful one.

The guests arrive at the cottage, where they are met by longtime friends Marie and Alex Sinclair, the owners of the property. The group includes British and American socialites, several of whom are from the Sinclair's social circle. The weekend appears to start off on a light note, with everyone settling in and enjoying the country air, delicious meals, and freshly brewed tea. However, things quickly take a dark turn, with a range of strange and unsettling occurrences happening both inside and outside the cottage.

As the guests begin to settle in on the first evening, they hear a loud, unexplained noise coming from outside. Alex Sinclair sets off to investigate it and is injured in the process. This causes tension and fear to mount among the group, as they realize there could be someone dangerous lurking in the woods around the cottage - a thought that is confirmed when they find evidence suggesting that someone has been breaking into the property.

As the weekend progresses, the guests begin to mistrust each other, and tensions rise higher and higher. It becomes clear that there is more going on than just a simple break-in, as several of the guests' backgrounds and motivations are revealed to be shrouded in secrets and suspicious behavior. Everyone is on edge, and it's unclear who can be trusted.

The thriller elements of this film are well-crafted, with twists and turns that will keep the viewer guessing. The director keeps the suspense and fear of the unknown at a high level throughout the film, using various techniques to build tension and unease. For example, the use of shadows and night-time scenes - when the guests are unable to see what might be lurking in the dark of the woods - really contributes to the eerie atmosphere of the film.

However, The House in the Woods is not just a thriller, but also a fascinating exploration of human relationships and psychology. The group of guests are all complex and interesting characters, and the script does an excellent job of examining how people act under extreme circumstances, and how our reactions and motivations can be influenced by our past experiences and relationships.

Patricia Roc gives a standout performance as Marie Sinclair, the matriarch of the group, who is both shrewd and warm-hearted, but clearly has some dark secrets of her own. Ronald Howard is also excellent as Richard Cooper, a war hero who is hiding a painful past he cannot escape from. Michael Gough is another highlight, adding depth and complexity to his take on the sinister figure of Hugo, a longtime friend of the Sinclairs.

Overall, The House in the Woods is a gripping mystery-thriller that still holds up exceptionally well today. With its rich characters and themes, it also has a broader appeal beyond just fans of the genre. So, if you're in the mood for a good old-fashioned British chiller, or simply looking for an absorbing and well-acted film that explores the darker side of human nature, this movie is well worth seeking out.

The House in the Woods is a 1957 drama with a runtime of 59 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.