The film, directed by Stuart Rosenberg, was based on the 1977 novel, The Amityville Horror, by Jay Anson. It told the story of paranormal experiences endured by George and Kathy Lutz and their three children, who lived for twenty-eight days in a house in Amityville, New York, where a notorious mass murder had occurred a few years before. The Lutz's claimed they were forced to flee in terror from the house, although there has been a lot of skepticism over the years regarding those claims. The book was a best seller.
I haven't read the novel, so I don't know what changes were made in Sandor Stern's screenplay. James Brolin and Margo Kidder portray George and Kathy Lutz, along with Rod Steiger, Don Stroud, Helen Shaver, Michael Sacks, Amy Wright, John Larch, Murray Hamilton and Irene Daley.
Although I'd rewatched this film a few times on cable back in the 1980's and 90's, and knew everything that was going to happen, it was always an enjoyable watch. The film is practically free of violence, a big plus for me, and quite surprising, considering the subject matter and the era in which it was made. And Brolin and Kidder are both talented, likeable actors. So, when I recently found a used DVD copy at a flea market for two bucks, I gladly picked it up.
Chalk it up to the cynicism that comes with advanced age, or over saturation with the horror genre, but watching the film this time around proved to be more of a laugh fest than anything else. It started with Lalo Schifrin's theme music. The voices of children singing "La-la" were combined with discordant, unsettling music and replayed incessantly throughout the movie. This gimmick may have been considered creepy at the time, but now comes off as a cliche or even a parody. The film also seemed to move along too fast with its possession theme. Almost as soon as the family has moved into the accursed abode, Dad begins to take on the appearance and personality of Charlie Manson on a really bad day. And Mom is waking up in the middle of the night screaming: "He shot her in the HEAD!!!" Not to mention the youngest daughter taking up with a demonic imaginary (?) friend who obviously doesn't have the family's best interests at heart.
Acclaimed actor Rod Steiger does his Method actor best as a priest, also Kidder's uncle, who comes over to bless the house and is beset by a satanic swarm of flies. Watching this sequence after so many years, I wondered why I didn't see how ridiculous it was. But the movie and its evil entities aren't yet finished with Steiger. As the enterprising Amityville demons have apparently taken control of the telephone lines, the concerned priest is unable to call Kidder to warn her about the flies, and presumably other possible problems. So, he goes into his church to offer prayers at the altar, only to have the aforementioned demonic forces use their far-reaching powers shake up the place, literally, and cause a piece of falling plaster from an overhead angel to blind him. When we last see Father Steiger, he's sitting on a park bench looking bewildered and defeated. It's not clear if he's acting or just exhausted from making this movie.
Since Kidder's character is a Catholic, some boneheaded wardrobe mistress thought it would be a good idea to show this married mother of three children dressed in what appears to be a typical Catholic schoolgirl's uniform of the era, in a scene where she's just come home with a load of groceries. I remember this rather bizarre clothing choice being mentioned by at least one critic when the film was first released. But the biggest laugh of all is when Helen Shaver visits the house of horror for the first time. Shaver's character, apparently gifted with more psychic abilities than all the witches in the history of Salem Massachusetts, wanders through the house in a wide-eyed daze. Her paranormal powers lead her into the basement. Pointing to a wall, she announces excitedly that she's located the spot where the spirits enter the house. Then, like any considerate houseguest would do, she grabs an ax and starts tearing into the wall. Miss Shaver, no doubt trying hard for a Best Supporting Actress nomination, gives that wall everything she's got.
The film does have many well-conceived and very horrific moments. The early scenes that depict the murders of the family are very frightening and remain some of the most memorable images. One of the most effective scenes is when Amy Wright, playing a babysitter left with the youngest daughter, gets locked in a closet by the evil imaginary friend while the little girl sits motionless and allows it to happen. The feeling of claustrophobia and terror is palpable, and Wright plays her role perfectly. And I have to admit the onslaught of special effects during the climax are impressive and exciting.
In spite of my newly acquired cynicism, I continue to like this very popular movie and will no doubt want to pop some popcorn and watch it again. After a few Bacardi & Cokes, I may find myself singing the La-la theme along with the kiddies and having a great time.
