Ronald Harwood, born in 1934 in South Africa, established himself as a prominent writer in film and theater. His screenplay for Sudden Terror (1970) showcases his ability to weave tension and drama into the fabric of cult cinema, a departure from his more mainstream accolades. Known for his adept storytelling, Harwood's work often reflects a deep understanding of character and narrative, making his contributions to the genre significant. His literary prowess, honed on the British stage, found a unique outlet in the realm of exploitation films.
Sudden Terror
Living on the island of Malta, Ziggy (Mark Lester, Crossed Swords) is an 11-year-old boy with an overactive imagination and a habit of telling wild lies. But when he sees the brutal assassination of a visiting African president by two rogue policemen, nobody will believe his story. Can Ziggy convince anybody that he is telling the truth before the psychotic cops are able to hunt down and murder the only eyewitness? This is no ordinary boy-who-cried-wolf story. Legendary director John Hough (Twins of Evil, The Legend of Hell House) packs Sudden Terror with plenty of tense style, stunning locations and startling violence. Susan George (Straw Dogs), Lionel Jeffries (The Quatermass Xperiment), Jeremy Kemp (The Blue Max), Peter Vaughan (Game of Thrones), Peter Bowles (The Offence) and Tony Bonner (Quigley Down Under) co-star in this shocking and terrifying suspense-thriller featuring music by legendary British art-rock bands Fairfield Parlour and Van der Graaf Generator.
