Willard
A social misfit, Willard is made fun of by his co-workers, and squeezed out of the company started by his deceased father by his boss. His only friends are a couple of rats he raised at home, Ben and Socrates. However, when one of them is killed at work, he goes on a rampage using his rats to attack those who have been tormenting him.
Critics Sentiment
Al Martin discovers and kills Socrates with club
Willard attempts to kill all rats in backyard pit
The film peaks emotionally when Al kills Socrates, then drops significantly during Willard's attempt to eliminate the remaining rats.
Willard builds effectively as a character study of a social misfit, with reviewers consistently praising the performances and the touching human-animal relationships. The film peaks during the emotional devastation of Socrates' death and Al's subsequent murder, but loses momentum in the final act as it rushes toward its conclusion. Critics appreciated the film's camp appeal and solid acting despite primitive effects and uneven pacing.
Full cast
Bruce Davison
Willard Stiles
Ernest Borgnine
Al Martin
Sondra Locke
Joan Simms
Elsa Lanchester
Henrietta Stiles
Michael Dante
Brandt
Jody Gilbert
Charlotte Stassen
William Hansen
Barskin
John Myhers
Carlson
J. Pat O'Malley
Jonathan Farley
Joan Shawlee
Alice Rickles
Almira Sessions
Carrie Smith
Pauline Drake
Ida Stassen
Ed Haskett
Guest (uncredited)
Alan Baxter
Walter T. Spencer
Crew
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