Willard (1971 film)

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Willard
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Daniel Mann
Screenplay by	Gilbert Ralston
Based on	Ratman's Notebooks by Stephen Gilbert
Produced by	Mort Briskin
Starring	Bruce Davison Elsa Lanchester Ernest Borgnine Sondra Locke
Cinematography	Robert B. Hauser
Edited by	Warren Low
Music by	Alex North
Production company	Bing Crosby Productions
Distributed by	Cinerama Releasing Corporation
Release date	February 26, 1971 (1971-02-26)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$14.5 million[1]

Willard is a 1971 American horror film directed by Daniel Mann and written by Gilbert Ralston, based on Stephen Gilbert's novel Ratman's Notebooks. Bruce Davison stars as social misfit Willard Stiles, who is squeezed out of the company started by his deceased father. His only friends are a couple of rats raised at home, including Ben and Socrates, and their increasing number of friends. When Socrates is killed by Willard's boss, he goes on a rampage using his rats to attack.

Willard was released on February 26, 1971 by Cinerama Releasing Corporation, opening to mixed reviews but it was successful at the box-office, making it the 11th highest-grossing release of the year.^[2] It was also nominated for an Edgar Award for Best Picture.

The film was followed by a 1972 sequel Ben, and a 2003 remake, also titled Willard, with Crispin Glover portraying Willard, and Davison making a cameo as Willard's father.