- written March 2000
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Composer John Russell watches his wife and daughter get run over by a truck as it loses control on an icy road in NY. Now months later, he is off to Oregon to teach at a local college. But the house he rents is not an ordinary house. It seems to be haunted by the spirit of a dead boy. John thinks the noises and such are his imagination but soon he engages in everything he can to find the body and discover the secret. Oregon Senator Joe Charmichael has a connection to the house but he also seems to have a connection to the dead boy. The closer John gets to finding out how the boy really died in 1909, the closer he gets to the Senator and to the events surrounding the boy’s death. But even as the Senator wants to shut John up, the boy’s spirit is also protecting John. But how long will it protect him before it goes with vengeance on those responsible for his death?
Overall: I’ve decided to re-evaluate this film, because much of the “horror” community finds this film quite scary and creepy. Some argue this is one of the scariest films of all time. And yet, upon further review, I’d uphold the original review...it’s just not “all that.” It’s a fine ghost story. It’s trying to be scary and create a spooky atmosphere. But it’s a slow film with few actual scares and takes forever to get to the point. And despite its cast, George C Scott isn’t believable in the role. He’s an awesome actor but he isn’t a “pathetic old man who’s distraught.” I can’t buy him in the role nor as the film plods along with nothing more than old newspaper clips and bouncing balls. Some argue the film works because of the lack of gimmicks. It doesn’t throw in tons of blood or special effects. Fine, you don’t need to overwhelm the audience with such tactics to scare people, but being totally devoid of them, isn’t helping either. Some find that an absolute classic and masterpiece...I find it decent but nothing to drop everything you're holding to run and get it. Comparison: Poltergeist meets Patton |
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