Willard (1971 film)

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Willard
Willard film poster
Directed by	Daniel Mann
Produced by	Mort Briskin
Written by	Gilbert Ralston
Starring	Bruce Davison Elsa Lanchester Ernest Borgnine
Distributed by	Cinerama Releasing
Release date(s)	18 June 1971 (USA)
Running time	95 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Willard is a 1971 horror film starring Bruce Davison and Ernest Borgnine, directed by Daniel Mann. The movie is based on the novel Ratman's Notebooks by Gilbert Ralston (as Stephen Gilbert), and was nominated for an Edgar Award for best picture. The supporting cast included one of Elsa Lanchester's last performances, and one of Sondra Locke's first.

It depicts the social misfit Willard's affinity for rats. However, when one of them is killed at work by his boss, Willard uses his rats to attack those who have been cruel to him.

A sequel called Ben (after one of the rats in the original) was released in 1972.

A remake was released in 2003, with Crispin Glover playing Willard. Bruce Davison is also featured in the film as the portrait of Willard's father.