PEEPING TOM (1960) d. Michael Powell (UK)

A provocative psychological thriller and a daring exploration of voyeurism, Michael Powell’s PEEPING TOM tells the story of Mark Lewis, a withdrawn cameraman filled with deep pain and dark secrets. Powell’s brilliant examination of the human urge to look—but not be seen looking—turns Mark’s camera into both weapon and mirror.

Peeping Tom is a film about watching, made in a medium built for being watched. Powell, fully aware of cinema’s voyeuristic nature, floods the narrative with images of seeing, watching, and being seen—even including a blind character who “sees” more than others. Most disturbingly, Powell offers a psychopathic killer as the protagonist, forcing audiences not just to sympathize, but to identify with him—even more brazenly than Hitchcock’s Psycho, released the same year to far greater acclaim and success.

Audiences in 1960 Britain were unprepared for such a confrontational and honest viewpoint, and the film was condemned, reviled, and effectively ended Powell’s career at home. For decades, Peeping Tom languished in obscurity, more referenced than seen firsthand. Today, 65 years later, it is rightfully recognized as a visionary masterpiece—an unflinching look at the dark heart of cinema itself.

👁️ From taboo-breaking storytelling to its lasting legacy in the genre, Peeping Tom is more than a film—it’s a lens into horror’s darkest instincts. Join AC and his awesome panel of guests (Christianne Benedict, Dave M Gray, Mackenzie Parker, Lee Price) as they celebrate 65 years of PEEPING TOM!

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CHRISTIANNE BENEDICT is a cartoonist, film writer, malcontent, and Bloginatrix at https://krelllabs.blogspot.com

DAVE “M” GRAY is currently a test subject in a subterranean mad science lab and allowed to send proofs of life to Raiders of the Podcast (raidersofthepodcast.blogspot.com or anywhere you podcast) and Twitch (twitch.tv/sh4ggyr4nd) weekly.

MACKENZIE PARKER is a filmmaker living in Los Angeles. He studied at Northern Illinois University and the Moscow Art Theater. He has worked on TV shows such as Sons of Anarchy and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and is currently working as a staff editor for Digital Alliance.

LEE PRICE has dedicated his career to celebrating our history and culture (including horror films!) through freelance writing and 25 years with the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts. He is a guest blogger at “Wonders in the Dark.”
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