The Anniversary (1968)

The Anniversary (1968) Summary
"The Anniversary" is a dark comedy film directed by Roy Ward Baker and released in 1968. It was adjusted from Bill Macilwraith's play of the very same name and includes the renowned Bette Davis portraying the central character, Mrs. Taggart, a fanatically domineering mother.

Intro
The movie tells the story of a family, particularly focusing on Mrs. Taggart, a domineering and manipulative mom who will commemorate her wedding anniversary. Regardless of her hubby's death several years back, Mrs. Taggart demands marking this event every year with her adult boys: Henry, Terry, and Tom.

Mrs. Taggart and Her Sons
Henry, Mrs. Taggart's eldest child is a cross-dresser, depicted by James Cossins. Terry, played by Jack Hedley, is a successful businessman with faltering personal relationships due to his mother's meddling. Finally, Tom, the youngest boy, represented by Timothy Bateson, is a timid male under the tight grip of his authoritarian mother.

The Anniversary Celebration
On the day of the anniversary, Mrs. Taggart manipulates each of her 3 children to ensure their participation at the celebration. Over the course of the day, each kid goes through his own set of adversities and challenges, all seemingly orchestrated by their manipulative mother. Mrs. Taggart does not spare anybody from her mind video games, strains relationships, and disrupts her sons' love lives, all under the guise of keeping tradition.

Unfolding Tensions and Secrets
Throughout the celebration, secrets are exposed, consisting of Henry's cross-dressing, Terry's stopping working marital relationship, and Tom's dissatisfaction with his life and mom's dominance. Mrs. Taggart enjoys heightening the drama and volatility. Bette Davis, with her spellbinding performance, takes spotlight throughout the film, keeping the audience prone to the mother's calculated power characteristics.

Conclusion
By the end of the film, Mrs. Taggart's contentious nature is unmatched. She has forced each boy to a point where they're unhappy, stifled, and desperate, with little space for relief from her manipulative methods. In spite of the friction and control, the sons do not rebel versus their mom, leaving the audience with a sense of discomforting circularity.

General Assessment
In all, the black humor in 'The Anniversary' is soaked in a mental tussle, manipulative games, and interpersonal familial drama. It is a darkly amusing film about power has a hard time within families and the taxing binds of familial task and responsibility. Bette Davis' compelling performance as the omnipresent authoritarian mother is the defining highlight of the motion picture, making it a standout in its category. The film leaves its audience with a lingering thought about the oppressive nature of familial ties and moral obligations, covered in a cape of dark humor and satire.

Top Cast