Night Watch

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Night Watch

PG,

1973,

1h 45m,

Mystery & Thriller/

Horror

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Watchlist

50%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

50+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Ellen Wheeler (Elizabeth Taylor) is an unhappy housewife who settles her fraying nerves with alcohol while staring out her window. When she witnesses what she thinks is a murder through a neighbor's window, she calls the police, who find nothing when they investigate. With her neglectful husband (Laurence Harvey) skeptical and unsupportive, Ellen turns to her friend Sarah (Billie Whitelaw), who is slightly more receptive as the pair attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Phillip McCarthy

The Age (Australia)

Mar 18, 2025

There is very little new about these stock murder mystery questions or even Hutton's treatment of the story as a whole. In fact, in parts it lacks of imagination makes it positively melodramatic.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

Lucille Fletcher's Night Watch isn't the first average stage play to be turned into a better than average film. Astute direction and an improved cast more than help.

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

May 9, 2005

3.5/5

Elizabeth Taylor, and about time, has got herself a good picture and a whodunit at that

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Michael Billington

Birmingham Post

Jun 14, 2022

This is a film that works because of the ingenuity of its plotting, the atmospheric traditionalism of its direction and the skill of its playing, especially by the artful Miss Taylor.

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Bernard Drew

Gannett News Service

Oct 2, 2019

Who could ask for anything less?

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Phil Hall

Film Threat

Mar 11, 2011

2/5

Less than satisfactory thriller.

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Abraham S

May 6, 2018

Slow moving, but at times stylish horror film about Elizabeth Taylor thinking she's losing her mind after witnessing a murder out her window and everyone telling her she's crazy and seeing things. The film was directed by Brian G. Hutton, who made some solid films, such as "Where Eagles Dare" and "Kelly's Heroes," and brings more style and flair to this film than I would have expected based upon his previous work. It's his surreal and dream-like touches that elevate this tired and played out story. Liz Taylor tries way too hard and comes off as over-the-top in not a good way (unless you're into campy performances, which I kind of am and can appreciate in a so-bad-it's-good sort of way). Laurence Harvey gives a competent though uninteresting performance as Taylor's husband. On the plus side, the film features a fine musical score by John Cameron, but overall this plot has already been done many times before and done much better. FUN FACT! This film was Taylor's only performance in a horror film.

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Theodore S

Sep 3, 2017

Kind of campy, overwrought and dated - yet also kind of good with a rather suspenseful ending. Liz Taylor is definitely in one of her more scene chewing modes, yet her performance is really effective through to the twisty ending. At just over 100 mins and if you've got time on your hands, worth a gander.

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Brian G. Hutton

Director

Elizabeth Taylor

Ellen Wheeler

Laurence Harvey

John Wheeler

Billie Whitelaw

Sarah Cooke

Robert Lang

Mr Appleby

Tony Britton

Tony

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Synopsis

Ellen Wheeler (Elizabeth Taylor) is an unhappy housewife who settles her fraying nerves with alcohol while staring out her window. When she witnesses what she thinks is a murder through a neighbor's window, she calls the police, who find nothing when they investigate. With her neglectful husband (Laurence Harvey) skeptical and unsupportive, Ellen turns to her friend Sarah (Billie Whitelaw), who is slightly more receptive as the pair attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Director: Brian G. Hutton
Producer: George W. George, Martin Poll, Barnard Straus
Screenwriter: Tony Williamson
Production Co: Brut Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2016
Runtime: 1h 45m

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