The Collector (1965)
Freddie is an inept bank clerk with no future. His only hobby is collecting butterflies, which gives him a feeling of power and control that is otherwise totally missing from his life. He comes into a large sum of money and buys himself a country house. Still unable to make himself at ease socially, he starts to plan on acquiring a girlfriend - in the same manner as he collects butterflies. He prepares the cellar of the house to be a collecting jar and stalks his victim over several days.
Details
Budget
$0
Rating
7/10 (201 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Collector Company, Columbia Pictures
About The Collector
The 1965 thriller "The Collector" explores themes of obsession and control through the story of Freddie, a socially awkward bank clerk. After coming into a significant sum of money, Freddie acquires a secluded country house. His hobby of collecting butterflies, which provides him with a sense of authority, takes a disturbing turn as he decides to 'collect' a person.
The film delves into the psychological aspects of confinement and kidnapping. Freddie meticulously prepares his cellar to hold his victim, mirroring the way he would prepare a display for an insect. This narrative, centered on a man's desire to possess another person, positions "The Collector" as a study in psychological suspense.
Why you might be searching for The Collector
People are often searching for this film due to its unsettling premise involving a man who kidnaps a woman and holds her captive in his home, treating her like one of his collected specimens. The keyword searches indicate interest in the themes of confinement and the power dynamic between captor and captive, particularly the unique motivation stemming from the antagonist's butterfly collecting hobby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *The Collector* on Tubi or Netflix in some regions [netflix.com, tv.apple.com]. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home [justwatch.com].
*The Collector* (1965) is not based on a true story but is an adaptation of John Fowles' 1963 novel of the same name [en.wikipedia.org]. The novel tells the fictional story of a man who abducts an art student.
At the end of *The Collector*, Miranda attempts to escape by hitting Freddie with a shovel but is dragged back into the cellar, where she accidentally breaks the electric heater [en.wikipedia.org]. Freddie leaves her in the cold cellar to seek medical attention for himself; when he returns three days later, Miranda has died of pneumonia. Freddie buries her body and then begins stalking another woman, a young nurse, suggesting he plans to repeat his crime [en.wikipedia.org].
Reviews for *The Collector* are mixed but generally positive, with critics praising the performances of Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar and the film's suspenseful nature [rottentomatoes.com, en.wikipedia.org]. Some found it a gripping thriller, while others felt it lacked emotional engagement or became monotonous [rottentomatoes.com, en.wikipedia.org].