The twin themes of the film are paedophilia and child sexual abuse, and the way in which those with sufficient pull can corrupt and manipulate the legal system to evade responsibility for their actions.

The accused man, Clarence Olderberry Sr., is the doyen of the wealthiest, most highly regarded and influential family in town, and feelings turn against the Carters as the townspeople close ranks against the newcomers.

As threatened, the defence counsel proceeds to question Jean in a harrowing, bullying manner which leaves her confused, frightened and giving the impression of being an unreliable witness.

Suspecting foul play, the police search the woods for the missing girls, with Peter and Olderberry Jr. accompanying them.

The SAR dogs lead the police to a cabin, where Lucille is lying dead on the floor, and Olderberry Sr. is there, behaving strangely, his clothes disarrayed and with an insane expression on his face.

Peter tells Sally that Jean managed to get away unharmed from Olderberry Sr. and was found wandering in the wood on the other side of the lake.

Despite its nominal Canadian setting, exterior filming for Never Take Sweets from a Stranger took place in Burnham and Black Park in Wexham, Buckinghamshire.

In the U.S. prints (and the 2010 Icons of Suspense DVD), the word "swine" is used instead on the audio, also recorded by Allen, but the picture remains the same, and he can clearly still be seen to say "bastard".

Some of the publicity chosen for the film (such as a promotional poster with an image of armed police with tracker dogs, and the tagline "A nightmare manhunt for maniac prowler!

More noticeably, the film's seriousness is dissipated in an unnecessarily horrible climax in which the old man chases the young girls through a wood.

Lingering shots of Felix Aylmer shuffling through pine glades may make for good suspense, but they jar with the tone of the rest of the film.

"[4] Also on the film's release, Variety said: "Gwen Watford and Patrick Allen, as the distraught parents, and Alison Leggatt, as a wise, understanding grandmother, lead a cast which is directed with complete sensitivity by Cyril Frankel.

Aylmer, who doesn't utter a word throughout the film, gives a terrifying acute study of crumbling evil.