The Hypnotist (1957)
A chilling British thriller where a corrupt psychiatrist turns the healing power of hypnosis into a weapon of murder.
The Hypnotist - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Hypnotist
- Release Year: 1957
- Directed by: Montgomery Tully
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 29, 1957 (United Kingdom)
- Alternative Titles: Scotland Yard Dragnet (US)
- Production Companies: Merton Park Studios
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
The Hypnotist - Plot
Culver is a psychiatrist who uses hypnotism to treat his patients. When Carpenter, a test pilot, comes to see him complaining of blackouts that make his job difficult, Culver tries to mesmerise him into killing his wife.
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The Hypnotist - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Montgomery Tully
Main Cast
- Paul Carpenter
- Patricia Roc
- Roland Culver
- William Hartnell
- Gordon Boyd
- Edgar Driver
- Tom Tann
- Ellen Pollock
- Robert Sansom
- Martin Wyldeck
Writers
- Montgomery Tully
Producers
- Alec C. Snowden
The Hypnotist - FAQs
What is The Hypnotist about?
The Hypnotist follows Dr. Francis Pelham, a psychiatrist who weaponizes hypnosis against his own patients. When test pilot Val Neal seeks help for dangerous blackouts, Pelham seizes the opportunity and attempts to mesmerize him into murdering his wife — a chilling tale of manipulation and psychological control.
Who are the main actors in The Hypnotist?
The cast features Paul Carpenter as Val Neal, Patricia Roc as Mary Foster, and Roland Culver as the menacing Dr. Francis Pelham. William Hartnell — best known later as the first Doctor Who — also appears as Inspector Ross, adding real authority to the film's investigative thread.
Who directed The Hypnotist?
Montgomery Tully directed The Hypnotist. Tully was a prolific British filmmaker of the 1940s and 1950s, known for tight, economical crime and thriller pictures. He also wrote the screenplay, giving the film a unified, focused vision from script to screen.
When was The Hypnotist released?
The Hypnotist was released on July 29, 1957, in the United Kingdom. It was also distributed in the United States under the alternative title Scotland Yard Dragnet, reflecting the film's crime and investigative elements that appealed to American audiences of the era.
Is The Hypnotist based on a true story?
No, The Hypnotist is not based on a true story. It is an original fictional thriller written by director Montgomery Tully. The film draws on mid-century fascination with psychiatry and hypnosis as dramatic tools, reflecting broader cultural anxieties about mind control that were popular in postwar British cinema.
What is the significance of hypnosis in the film?
Hypnosis is the film's central conceit and its most unsettling element. Rather than a healing tool, it becomes a weapon of coercion in the hands of a corrupt psychiatrist. The film taps into 1950s anxieties about the power of the mind and the vulnerability of individuals to psychological manipulation.
What are similar movies to The Hypnotist?
If The Hypnotist appeals to you, try Trance (2013) for a modern hypnosis thriller, The Woman in Green (1945) for classic noir mind-control intrigue, or Cure (1997) for a deeply unsettling psychological crime film. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) and Raising Cain (1992) also make excellent companion pieces.
How long is The Hypnotist?
The Hypnotist runs for 89 minutes — just under an hour and a half. It's a lean, efficiently paced British B-thriller that wastes no time establishing its sinister premise and building tension through its compact, focused runtime.
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