Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?

This is a film now streaming for free on Amazon Prime, and I would highly recommend it to those (like me) who like a good scary story, but with minimal gore. Shelley Winters is scary, but with some complexity, because there is a deeper story behind her outer appearance/actions. Her facial expressions at times are "over the top," and the camera catches them well.It is filmed in 1970s' glorious color, and the music, for me, added to the experience of the story. If you like films like "Whatever happened to Baby Jane," then you will probably like this! It's not a "great" film in a conventional sense, but it is an engaging story and well-done for this genre.

I came to this late example of Grande Dame Guignol with low expectations, although "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" is a great favorite. First, the cast is amazing, with Shelley Winters, Sir Ralph Richardson, Lionel Jeffries, Hugh Griffith and Mark "Oliver" Lester all doing exciting work that more than carries the uneven script. Winters plays a daffy widow who ay or may not be planning to eat two orphans, a boy and girl who've read "Hansel and Gretel" and consequently wonder if Winters is a witch. The Brit settings are picturesque, and many of the supporting performances are gems. The director, Curtis Harrington, an early pioneer in queer cinema and underrated auteur, and his autobiography, which I read as a result of seeing this film, is a gem.

If you know the classic fairy-tale that we all read from our Golden Books back in the day..? Or the story of "Hansel + Gretel".. it was about a German pair of siblings from the era of 1812..written by the Brother's Grimm. (Jacob Grimm and Wilhem Grimm). There have been many movies since this one that have came out ..about this tale.. A film from 2020,2013... and then there are two from 1917 and 1954. Actress Shelley Winters who had won two Academy awards.. stars in this British version..this movie has a bit of a taste of a movie she did with Robert Mitchum in 1955 called "The Night of The Hunter"..but this time she is the predator.. I love the estate that this movie is filmed in. The little brother is played by former child actor Mark Lester ..who is now an Osteopath..Divorced and remarried with 4 children. He was also a close friend to Micheal Jackson and a God-father to his three kids. Chloe Franks played his little sister who loves that darn Teddy bear....she was a renowned child actress in the 1970's. Over all I like the movie ... No blood or gore... Except the last coffin scene.. The moral of the story.." Don't trust stranger's".. "Or be careful what you wish for.."..I don't want to spoil it for you..By the way actress Shelley Winters began putting on weight in the late 1960's.. In her youth in the 1950's..she was beautiful...

i didnt think so. lots of good adjectives used on other reviews to describe this movie. most are true. it's more psycho than hansel and gretel. some suspense and twists. it reminds me of those weird 70s movies that are hard to describe. maybe because it is. part love story and tragedy. i dont think this is a 5 star movie, but i didnt hate it. i am gonna give it 5 stars anyway, since it looks good (prime stream) and it does have entertainment value.

Definitely a classic. I remember going to the theatre and watching this as a kid with my mom. For weeks we'd ask each other, "Whoever slew Auntie Roo?" And respond, "Only the teddy bear knew!" Shelly at her best psycho self. Loved her.

Hilarious dark humor, early 1970s style. I wanted to see this movie when it was new, as my friends and I saw it written up in Fangora magazine, but the three of us were ten at the time and you had to be 13 to get in.

You can tell Shelley Winters loved playing every minute of this character! A complete nutter that you pity one minute and can't stand the next. The children are perfect and the style of the movie (the mansion, wardrobe, etc.) is incredible. A great spooky/suspenseful Holiday movie!

Don't waste your time on this loser!

Great film and service

So happy I found this movie! Classic!