Frenzy 1972

In the dark streets of London, a serial killer is on the loose, targeting women with a cruel modus operandi of rape and strangulation using a necktie. The situation escalates when the last victim is discovered floating in the Thames. Enter Richard Blaney, portrayed by Jon Finch, a jaded former Royal Air Force officer who now works as a bartender. Recently fired for his drinking habits, he finds himself contemplating his next move while trying to salvage his relationship with his girlfriend, Babs Milligan, played by Anna Massey.

As Blaney roams the streets in search of employment, he makes his way to Covent Garden Market to catch up with his friend Bob Rusk, portrayed by Barry Foster. Rusk, a local fruit dealer, provides a sense of comic relief with his sarcasm amidst the grim undertones of the police investigation. The authorities appear to be at a dead end in their search for the killer.

After indulging in too much brandy one night, Blaney visits his ex-wife, Brenda Blaney, brought to life by Barbara Leigh-Hunt. Brenda runs a modest matrimonial agency, and during their dinner, she discreetly slips him money to support him, which he unexpectedly finds while staying the night at a local Salvation Army.

Tragedy strikes when Brenda becomes yet another victim of the necktie killer, leading the police to suspect Blaney himself. Consequently, a manhunt spearheaded by Chief Inspector Oxford, played by Alec McCowen, commences. Inspector Oxford is not only troubled by the case but also endures his own domestic struggles, as his wife experiments with gourmet recipes that often test his culinary patience.

As the tension mounts and Blaney is apprehended by the police, doubts begin to cloud Inspector Oxford’s judgment, leading him to reconsider who the real murderer might be. In this gripping tale of suspense and unexpected twists, the truth lingers just beyond reach, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.