The last film I saw about a blind woman in peril was the classic 'Wait Until Dark', and I figured that if Blind Terror could deliver just a fraction of the brilliance of Terence Young's masterpiece, it would be at least worth watching. Unfortunately, however, while this film certainly has its moments; I've got to rate it as a disappointment on the whole. As you would expect, good use of the lead character's affliction is made throughout; and Mia Farrow really does do an excellent job of convincing the audience that she is a blind woman, and her plain looks and frail persona help this immensely as she gives a warm lead performance that is always easy to empathise with. The plot follows Sarah (Mia Farrow) after she was blinded by being thrown off a horse. She goes to stay with her aunt and uncle on their farm in the British countryside. She returns home one day to find that somebody else has been there before her, and murdered all the members of the household. After fleeing the scene on horseback, the murderer is still on the loose and she may not be out of danger just yet.
The main problem with this film is that it's not very exciting, and this isn't very good considering that it's supposed to be a thriller. The first half hour is very slow and nothing much happens, other than the scene being set for what is to come. The film reaches its peak around the middle, as the scenes that see Sarah discover that everyone has been killed are genuinely harrowing and filled with suspense. After that, however, Blind Terror grinds back down; and while the fact that the lead is blind is always at the forefront of the tale, and her affliction does provide some interest; this film certainly could have been a lot better. The farmyard setting is good and seeing Mia Farrow get caked in mud nicely accents her desperate situation. This location also provides isolation for the characters, and this helps the film again when it comes to desperation as it's obvious that help isn't readily available. The climax to the murder mystery isn't very good, as any ideas about possible suspects you might have had are thrown out the window, as the murderer's identity is simply thrown into the plot. Overall, this isn't bad; and that is thanks mostly to Mia Farrow's performance. Blind Terror could easily have been a lot better, though.
The main problem with this film is that it's not very exciting, and this isn't very good considering that it's supposed to be a thriller. The first half hour is very slow and nothing much happens, other than the scene being set for what is to come. The film reaches its peak around the middle, as the scenes that see Sarah discover that everyone has been killed are genuinely harrowing and filled with suspense. After that, however, Blind Terror grinds back down; and while the fact that the lead is blind is always at the forefront of the tale, and her affliction does provide some interest; this film certainly could have been a lot better. The farmyard setting is good and seeing Mia Farrow get caked in mud nicely accents her desperate situation. This location also provides isolation for the characters, and this helps the film again when it comes to desperation as it's obvious that help isn't readily available. The climax to the murder mystery isn't very good, as any ideas about possible suspects you might have had are thrown out the window, as the murderer's identity is simply thrown into the plot. Overall, this isn't bad; and that is thanks mostly to Mia Farrow's performance. Blind Terror could easily have been a lot better, though.