Don't Go to Sleep (1982) (TV)

Director:

Richard Lang

Writer:

Ned Wynn (writer)

Release Date:

10 December 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery

Plot:

A young girl begins seeing the ghost of her sister who died in an accident a year earlier. |

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Pizza Cutter | Doll | Mirror | Child Killing Child

Cast

Dennis Weaver	...	Phillip
Valerie Harper	...	Laura
Robin Ignico	...	Mary
Kristin Cumming	...	Jennifer
Oliver Robins	...	Kevin
Claudette Nevins	...	Dr. Robin Samuel
Ruth Gordon	...	Bernice
Robert Webber	...	Dr. Cole
Marilyn Coleman	...	Sarah
Tim Haldeman	...	Intern
Haven Earle Haley	...	Priest
Ned Wynn	...	Paramedic
Ross Porter	...	Radio Sportscaster (voice)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Aaron Spelling Productions

Quotes:

Bernice: [after seeing Mary's bed on fire] The kid shouldn't have been smoking in bed!

TRY to fall asleep after this ending!

Judging by the unspectacular synopsis and unremarkable VHS cover art, "Don't go to Sleep" looks like one of those random and unremarkable made-for-TV thriller/horror films of the early eighties, but it actually becomes a pleasantly surprising and rewarding experience when you finally decide to give it a viewing chance. This is a genuinely creepy, hugely atmospheric, convolutely scripted and originally themed thriller with astonishing acting performances from the entire cast (including the children) and a couple of jump moments you aren't likely to forget throughout your whole life. There isn't any gore or sleazy here, since it's a TV-movie, but the solid screenplay all the more proves that not a single drop of blood is required in order to saddle up the audience with nightmares. The movie begins with a family of four moving into grandmother's big house. Some time earlier, their oldest daughter Jennifer died in a horrible car accident and particularly the other daughter, Mary, had a rough time processing the loss. Already the first night, it seems as if the restless and furious spirit of Jennifer rudely attempts to get into contact with Mary through eerie noises and even by setting her bad on fire. Apparently Jennifer blames her entire family for her untimely death and seeks vengeance through her little sister. Or perhaps it's just Mary who still hasn't dealt with her death and requires urgent psychiatric help? With "Don't go to Sleep", director Richard Lang builds up slowly but surely towards a devastating and indescribably tense climax that literally left me speechless. Throughout the middle section there are a few loose ends and slightly incoherent sequences, but the last 15 to 20 minutes are sheer adrenalin rushing creepiness. Even the inevitable and necessary dose of melodrama – following the death of another young child – is extremely well handled and plausible. The movie owes a lot of its power and impact to the terrific performances of the entire cast, and particularly of the three child actors depicting the family's offspring. Usually, child characters in horror tend to be very annoying and even prevent the films from being shocking, but that definitely isn't the case here. Oliver Robbins (the kid from "Poltergeist") is more than decent as the sister-teasing brat son, and Robin Ignico and Kristin Cummings are both tremendous as the deadly girls' duo. Never knew little girls wearing traditional dresses could be this scary! If you're a real thriller/horror buff, don't sleep before you track down a copy of this marvelous film!