Willard (1971 film)
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| Willard | |
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 Promotional poster for Willard |
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| Directed by | Daniel Mann |
| Produced by | Charles A. Pratt, Mort Briskin, Bing Crosby |
| Written by | Gilbert Ralston |
| Starring | Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester, Ernest Borgnine |
| Music by | Alex North |
| Cinematography | Robert B. Hauser |
| Editing by | Warren Low |
| Distributed by | Cinerama Releasing Corporation (USA, theatrical, 1971) |
| Release date(s) | 18 June 1971 (USA) |
| Running time | 95 min |
| Country |  USA |
| Language | English |
| Followed by | Ben |
Willard is a1971 horror film starring Bruce Davison and Ernest Borgnine, directed by Daniel Mann. The movie is based on the novel Ratman's Notebooks by Stephen Gilbert, and was nominated for an Edgar Award for best picture. The supporting cast included one of Elsa Lanchester's last performances, and one of Sondra Locke's first.
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[edit] Synopsis
Willard is a social misfit with a strange affinity for rats. He lives in a large mansion, accompanied only by his cranky and decrepit mother. His best companion is a white rat he finds and later names Socrates for his wisdom; numerous other rats come to him, one of which is a giant specimen he names Ben. Willard's talking to his rats, however, leads to his mother's death and further pressure from the banks to give up the house. When his boss bludgeons Socrates to death, he trains his rats to follow his commands and kills the man. Ben, however, jealous of his favoritism towards Socrates, eventually turns on Willard.
[edit] Awards
- Willard was nominated for the Eddie award in Best Edited Feature Film at the 1972 American Cinema Editors Awards.
- Willard was also nominated for the Edgar award in Best Motion Picture at the 1972 Edgar Awards.
[edit] Legacy
- A seven page satire by Mort Drucker and Dick DeBartolo titled "WILLIES" appeared in Mad (magazine) #149, dated March 1972. The cover of the magazine announced "IN THIS ISSUE WE TEAR APART WILLARD" and featured artwork by Jack Rickard. The cover art portrays Alfred E. Neuman as Willard siccing an army of rodents (all dressed in Mickey Mouse pants and shoes with Mouseketeer Ears) on a hapless Ernest Borgnine.
- A sequel called Ben (after one of the rats in the original) was released in 1972
- Willard serves as the opening anecdote to a chapter, "Becoming-Intense, Becoming-Animal, Becoming-Imperceptible..." in Giles Delueze and Felix Guatarri's A Thousand Plateaus.
- A remake was released in 2003, with Crispin Glover playing Willard. Bruce Davison is also featured in the film as Willard's father, appearing in a portrait.
[edit] External links
- Willard at the Internet Movie Database
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