The Shout (1978)

In the hushed tranquility of a remote corner of Devon, a compelling tale of sorcery and psychological tension unfolds. In the midst of a languid cricket match at a psychiatric hospital, an enigmatic man named Crossley, weary of the mundane game, recounts an entrancing story to a visitor, Graves. He paints an unsettling picture of an uninvited stranger, who shares his name, intruding upon the serene world of a local musician and his wife. This foreigner, Crossley, is no ordinary wanderer. He professes knowledge of authentic, aboriginal magic, a potent force he ruthlessly employs to displace his unsuspecting host and assert dominance over his wife. As the musician grapples with the reality of his disintegrating life, he embarks on a desperate quest to defy Crossley and his seemingly invincible powers. The story, however, is not without its doubters. Graves, initially entranced by the tale, begins to question its authenticity, suspecting that the storyteller Crossley might be more than just a casual observer - perhaps one of the hospital's own patients. "The Shout" is a chilling exploration of the profound power of words, the fragility of sanity, and the unsettling shadows that lurk within the human mind. It invites viewers to question what is real and what is merely the product of an intricate illusion.

The Shout is a drama movie featuring Alan Bates and directed by Jerzy Skolimowski.

The Shout is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Plex, Plex Player, Shout! Factory TV and Tubi TV and it's also available on AMC+ Amazon Channel and Criterion Channel.