‘The Amityville Horror’ doesn’t necessarily grow better with time
The Amityville Horror, the supposed true story of a Long Island haunted house, has been seen in several incarnations. From the original book and newspaper articles to the iconic 1970s cinematic adaptation to the more recent remake, the horror genre can’t get enough Amityville.
The first film in the series, directed by Stuart Rosenberg, is a streamlined look into the scary account of a family that was forced to flee a beautiful house along a picturesque property. They should have known something creepy would happen: The house was the site of a horrific murder scene and was apparently a tough sell on the local real estate market.
When George Lutz (James Brolin) and Kathy Lutz (Margot Kidder) move in with their children, the scares begin mildly enough. There’s some unusual sounds and a few pesky flies. But eventually a torrent of hatred is unleashed, and the Lutzes need to run for their lives. It seems as if the entire house is possessed, and this devilish spirit emanates from the basement or some place at the structure’s inner core. It demands its inhabitants to “get out!”
Throughout the film, there are some decent scares. However, The Amityville Horror has always been more about an eerie atmosphere than jump-out-of-your-seat moments. The terrifying nature of this horror story is only achieved after a slow progression. At first, the family doesn’t believe the signs of dread are worth running from. However, after one too many coincidences, they start to piece the puzzle together. Even the local parish priest is rebuffed by the spirits and sent packing.
The acting in the film is passable. Brolin, Kidder and Rod Steiger as Father Delaney are the real stars here, and they turn in admirable performances. The subject matter is rather basic, and the dialogue from Sandor Stern’s script is somewhat stilted. The fact that this trio is able to make something of the material says a lot about their acting ability.
In some ways, the best part of the movie is Rosenberg’s direction and the intricate camerawork. Watching this sprawling house unfurl itself can be quite interesting; there’s a dizzying quality to the presentation, much like Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. From the camera angles to the convincing sound effects, a lot of mileage is earned from some simple features.
The Amityville Horror has been christened a horror classic, but thats mostly because the legend of the real story continues to this day. The inevitable sequels came out. The inevitable remake occurred. The documentary (which was actually quite good) explored the reality behind the supposed fantasy. Because the conversation continues in 2014, the original source material, including Jay Anson’s controversial book and this movie, will continue to influence filmmakers and impress audience members.
However, this is no Exorcist. Looking too closely at The Amityville Horror can be a deflating exercise. It’s just an OK film with a trumped-up reputation. Still, when the spirit says “get out!” — I’m running for the car.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
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The Amityville Horror
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1979
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Directed by Stuart Rosenberg
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Written by Sandor Stern; based on the book by Jay Anson
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Starring Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger
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Running time: 120 minutes
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Rated R
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Rating:
