There was some good stuff made for television during the seventies, and while Crowhaven Farm doesn't stand tall as one of the best horror films ever made, it's a very decent one that is certainly worth seeing. The plot doesn't really offer anything new, and simply follows the idea of a coven of witches, centred around the sinister Crowhaven Farm. The plot focuses on Ben and Maggie Porter, a couple that inherit the farm after the death of her father. Their marriage is tainted by the fact that Maggie cannot bear children, and the couple move to the farm in the hope that the change of scenery will help to pick up their relationship. Under the direction of experienced TV director Walter Grauman, a good cast gives way to a thoroughly interesting tale of witchcraft. Grauman does well with the atmosphere, and while most of the film is build up for the ending; things such as the haunting music score and numerous plot revelations ensure that the film never dries up. Of course, all this build up needs a good climax, and the film gets just that with an ending that definitely justifies getting there. Overall, this is obviously a little thin and it won't be winning any 'greatest horror film ever' awards...but it's good stuff and comes recommended.
49 Reviews
A great, creepy classic from the seventies
bob wolf12 April 2001
Early on in Crowhaven Farm, Maggie Porter is awakened from a deep sleep by the sounds of a little girl crying. The eerie sounds are coming from off in the forest somewhere. Concerned that someone, namely a child, might be hurt, Maggie makes her way out into the night in the direction of the sound. As she treks into the dark forest, the crying suddenly turns into a demonic cackle. The haunting laughter engulfs Maggie and she collapses in fright.
Working with a limited budget and the content-expurgate restrictions placed on made-for-television fare, director Walter Grauman is still able to construct a frightening movie in Crowhaven Farm. He does it by simply letting the viewers imagination fill in the blanks. The strange noises in the forest, the blurred images of pilgrims torturing a mother-to-be off in a nearby clearing. What do they mean? Grauman shows the audience something, fleetingly, and then forces them to use their own imagination to fill in what is missing. That is where the true horror lies within Crowhaven Farm.
When the original inheritor dies in a strange car accident, a young couple, Maggie(Lange) and Ben(Burke) inherit a large farm and hundreds of acres of forest land. Dogged by marital problems the couple are determined to make a fresh start in the new setting. Maggie senses something odd early on and her first inclination is to leave but Ben talks her out of it. The inclination turns out to be correct as Maggie begins hearing strange noises and seeing odd visions of people dressed in Seventeenth-century garb. When a young girl(Eilbacher) drifts into their life things quickly move from bizarre to down right terrifying. Maggie soon discovers a parallel between her problem and a two-hundred year old coven of witches who may have committed sacrifices on the very farm land she inhabits.
Crowhaven Farm elicits some great performances from its cast. Hope Lange is especially great. She offers a performance very reminiscent of Mia Farrow's panicky turn in Rosemary's Baby, as the woman who discovers all is not what it may seem. Cindy Eilbacher, Paul Burke and TV-movie regular Loyd Bochner are also very good in their roles. I particularly enjoyed John Carradine as the handyman.
Crowhaven Farm has the distinction of being one of those made-for-television films that stay with you long after you've seen it. Like Duel and Dark Night Of The Scarecrow, Farm represents what can be achieved with a little budget and a whole lot of imagination. I highly recommend this film, if you can find it. As of yet, the film has never been released to video.
Working with a limited budget and the content-expurgate restrictions placed on made-for-television fare, director Walter Grauman is still able to construct a frightening movie in Crowhaven Farm. He does it by simply letting the viewers imagination fill in the blanks. The strange noises in the forest, the blurred images of pilgrims torturing a mother-to-be off in a nearby clearing. What do they mean? Grauman shows the audience something, fleetingly, and then forces them to use their own imagination to fill in what is missing. That is where the true horror lies within Crowhaven Farm.
When the original inheritor dies in a strange car accident, a young couple, Maggie(Lange) and Ben(Burke) inherit a large farm and hundreds of acres of forest land. Dogged by marital problems the couple are determined to make a fresh start in the new setting. Maggie senses something odd early on and her first inclination is to leave but Ben talks her out of it. The inclination turns out to be correct as Maggie begins hearing strange noises and seeing odd visions of people dressed in Seventeenth-century garb. When a young girl(Eilbacher) drifts into their life things quickly move from bizarre to down right terrifying. Maggie soon discovers a parallel between her problem and a two-hundred year old coven of witches who may have committed sacrifices on the very farm land she inhabits.
Crowhaven Farm elicits some great performances from its cast. Hope Lange is especially great. She offers a performance very reminiscent of Mia Farrow's panicky turn in Rosemary's Baby, as the woman who discovers all is not what it may seem. Cindy Eilbacher, Paul Burke and TV-movie regular Loyd Bochner are also very good in their roles. I particularly enjoyed John Carradine as the handyman.
Crowhaven Farm has the distinction of being one of those made-for-television films that stay with you long after you've seen it. Like Duel and Dark Night Of The Scarecrow, Farm represents what can be achieved with a little budget and a whole lot of imagination. I highly recommend this film, if you can find it. As of yet, the film has never been released to video.
Effectively creepy
bwaynef4 December 2003
Someday, someone should write a book examining why TV movies of the late 60s and early 70s were often preoccupied with witchcraft and horror at a time when the cinema shied away from the subjects, except for B movies and the rare blockbuster ala "Rosemary's Baby." Even some of the sillier ones ("Satan's School for Girls" anyone?) worked up some genuine chills. But "Crowhaven Farm" has to be the best. From the opening scenes right through the surprising (and terrifying) climax, this little thriller puts "The Exorcist" and other, later, big-budget chillers to shame. It may have been the TV movie's lack of pretentiousness that worked to its advantage. Made quickly and economically, "Crowhaven Farm" had no time for high-fallutin' symbolic nonsense. It did what it set out to do - inspire nightmares - and did it very well.
They Sure Don't Make 'em Like This Anymore!
atomic_age572 May 2007
While Crowhaven Farm was not the BEST made-for-TV chiller of its era, it does rank up there with the dozen or so that tend to stand out in the minds of baby boomers raised during TV's golden age. Forget the special effects that seem so essential to the success of today's horror movies; this one forces you to rely strictly on your imagination (remember that thing in your head???) to understand its premise. This movie was made in 1970, during the final season of "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", and, like several typecast actresses of the period, Hope Lange attempted to "break away" from her sitcom character much like Elizabeth Montgomery did in "The Victim" (remember THAT one???) and did it quite effectively. Crowhaven Farm is simply chilling, with the grainy film grade and squealing violins in the soundtrack adding to the unsettling feel of the film. This genre of film will probably never see a comeback, due to the all the computer-technology wars in horror films made today, but at least we'll always have them to look back on. EIGHT STARS.
"Do you believe people can live more than one life?"
moonspinner5527 February 2001
Warning: Spoilers
Hope Lange and Paul Burke portray a couple from the east village who inherit a rural manor from a relative on Lange's side; she's immediately disturbed by the place and wants to get away. There's such cruel trickery at work when Hope decides to escape Crowhaven Farm once and for all and gets her best friend to help her out. Up to this point, her friend has been the kind of movie buddy we all love, but soon poor Hope realizes they are driving in the wrong direction. Sitting in the passenger seat, she turns to look at her friend behind the wheel and--BOOM! The woman is really one of them...a 17th century witch, one of several seeking revenge against Lange for committing a betrayal in a past life. Silly and scary TV-movie with effective passages, but with a limited budget resulting in a visually dull production. The narrative is rushed along for the sake of time, and is burdened by heavy echoes of "Rosemary's Baby" besides. Pretty gripping nevertheless, and the cast is very fine.
Extremely scary TV movie
tamstrat14 April 2005
As with several other people here, I watched this movie as a child, and it stuck with me all these years. Very scary scenes of witchcraft, torture, crying in the woods, etc. Hope Lange was a very pretty, effective actress and the story of this movie was very original. I was able to get a copy of this off of Ebay, I hadn't seen it in literally 30 years, and was still scared when it was over. The ending was a total shocker too. I wish that they made movies for TV like this now, unfortunately all we have on TV anymore are reality shows, who needs reality when we could have fun movies like this? I think that whoever wrote this movie really had the pulse for what scared little kids in the late 60's and early 70's. Lots of fun and if you can get a copy of it on Ebay I highly recommend it.
As a child, this movie scared the pants off me; seen today it's still good but far from scary
planktonrules22 February 2009
This is a made for TV movie that had the distinction of traumatizing me as a child when I saw it. For years I wanted to see it again in order to see just how scary it really was. Was I a wuss or was it truly a frightening film? Some time back, I mentioned this movie to my wife and it turns out she, too, had gobs of nightmares after she saw it! So one day on a lark I went searching the internet for a copy and found one. What I think now about the film is sure a lot different now--but it turns out it was still a dandy film.
A couple inherit a farm in rural Massachusetts through some very odd circumstances. Oddly, after arriving, the wife (Hope Lange) begins having recollection of this farm even though she'd never been there before. She assumes there must be something to reincarnation and perhaps she's lived her in another live. Considering that she begins having dreams about witch trials during the Puritan days, she does NOT want to stay there but her husband insists. He seems like a really nice guy but he's just not aware of the evil presence of a coven of angry witches--determined to get revenge on Lange for the wrongs she did 300 years ago!
This film was produced by Aaron Spelling--a name synonymous with crap television such as "The Love Boat", "Life with Lucy", "T.J. Hooker" and "Charlie's Angels". Despite this less than stellar pedigree, the film had an excellent script, spooky music and a nice scary atmosphere. Looking at CROWHAVEN FARM now as an adult, I realize that these TV series I just mentioned are far more terrifying than this excellent horror film--though I still can see how CROWHAVEN FARM would scare kids. For an adult audience, it's not particularly frightening, just a good film--similar to ones made starring Christopher Lee in the 1960s and 70s.
While this film is not nearly as terrifying or brilliant as ROSEMARY'S BABY, it does show that once upon a time they really did make some excellent made for TV movies. Too bad that era is behind us AND too bad many of these old movies aren't available (such as Barbara Eden's THE STRANGER WITHIN and Kim Darby's DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK).
UPDATE: The movies I mentioned above are now available! Yippee!
A couple inherit a farm in rural Massachusetts through some very odd circumstances. Oddly, after arriving, the wife (Hope Lange) begins having recollection of this farm even though she'd never been there before. She assumes there must be something to reincarnation and perhaps she's lived her in another live. Considering that she begins having dreams about witch trials during the Puritan days, she does NOT want to stay there but her husband insists. He seems like a really nice guy but he's just not aware of the evil presence of a coven of angry witches--determined to get revenge on Lange for the wrongs she did 300 years ago!
This film was produced by Aaron Spelling--a name synonymous with crap television such as "The Love Boat", "Life with Lucy", "T.J. Hooker" and "Charlie's Angels". Despite this less than stellar pedigree, the film had an excellent script, spooky music and a nice scary atmosphere. Looking at CROWHAVEN FARM now as an adult, I realize that these TV series I just mentioned are far more terrifying than this excellent horror film--though I still can see how CROWHAVEN FARM would scare kids. For an adult audience, it's not particularly frightening, just a good film--similar to ones made starring Christopher Lee in the 1960s and 70s.
While this film is not nearly as terrifying or brilliant as ROSEMARY'S BABY, it does show that once upon a time they really did make some excellent made for TV movies. Too bad that era is behind us AND too bad many of these old movies aren't available (such as Barbara Eden's THE STRANGER WITHIN and Kim Darby's DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK).
UPDATE: The movies I mentioned above are now available! Yippee!
WOW i thought i was the only one!
catmacabre13 August 2001
I saw this movie as a child...i have always had a thing for witches..and there were many witchcraft related movies in the late 1960s /early 70s...i can not BELIEVE there are others who remember/ love this movie as i do! What i wouldnt do..for a VHS copy of the movie. That little girl was so beautiful and EERIE! Her eyes had that fairie-ish pale blue color...she was like a living (but evil) doll!I love that scene where "Maggie" runs into the night to hear voices on the wind...you can truly feel the spirit of ancient folk magic...in this dark and highly atmospheric movie! Anyone got a copy?
When will this movie be released on DVD?
christiconley7 January 2006
I too saw this movie when I was very very young. I remember it scared the heck out of me! The most memorable thing for me was the door being placed on her and the stones on top of that door. I would love to see it released on DVD. Or even on TV again. I remember feeling the terror Hope Lange's character felt trying to get people to listen to her. Lets face it John Carradine is a classic classic actor. Right up there with Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Vincent Price. Would love to see this movie released on DVD or shown on TV as they show some of the old HAMMER movies. (Frankenstein/Dracula Movies)These movies they make now may have great special effects and graphics but some of them are so gruesome it makes me ill. I prefer the older movies from when I was younger where your imagination works harder just seems more frightening that way. Does anyone else agree? I guess you would have to be closer to my age to understand what I am trying to say.
Stayed with me for years
aguablancaranch3 April 2008
I saw this movie when I was a kid and I never forgot about it! I have looked for it for years in stores, online, etc. I have never even met anyone who had heard of it until I got here and had a brainstorm. This movie was so well done, no special effects really, but like the other comments, the scene with the door and the rocks and that evil, evil teenage girl stayed with me for 30 years! This movie is a classic.
I also remember vividly, the policeman in the park at the end of the movie who looked like Hope's husband. I think back now and I realize it was a perfect set up for a sequel-in the days when there were no sequels!
I'm so glad other people have good memories of the horror films of the 60's, 70's. I sure enjoyed them
I also remember vividly, the policeman in the park at the end of the movie who looked like Hope's husband. I think back now and I realize it was a perfect set up for a sequel-in the days when there were no sequels!
I'm so glad other people have good memories of the horror films of the 60's, 70's. I sure enjoyed them
Stay away from the farm
AAdaSC19 February 2017
Hope Lange (Maggie) and her husband Paul Burke (Ben) inherit a farm and whilst Paul loves it, Hope doesn't get the same vibe. In fact, the place terrifies her and she seems to have flashbacks to a past life. What happened in the farm in 1692 – this seems to be the key. It's a spooky film and pre-teen Cindy Eilbacher (Jennifer) really isn't the sweet child that you want around your house.
It's a supernatural tale that is a bit complicated – not sure it makes sense. I had questions at the end. The ending keeps things going but I'm not quite sure what it means. Unfortunately, the picture quality isn't good. However, the cast are all fine and there were parts of the film that I didn't second guess. Patricia Barry (Felicia) plays the friend of Hope who believes in past lives.
It's a supernatural tale that is a bit complicated – not sure it makes sense. I had questions at the end. The ending keeps things going but I'm not quite sure what it means. Unfortunately, the picture quality isn't good. However, the cast are all fine and there were parts of the film that I didn't second guess. Patricia Barry (Felicia) plays the friend of Hope who believes in past lives.
it will scare you to the bone...
mark6624 April 1999
this is definitely one of the most intriguing movies i've ever seen so far..a low budget masterpiece i would like to see on vhs someday..forget the various amityville horrors or trash like that..this movie along with ''Trilogy of terror''is absolutely the top notch production of the '70's...not recommended to children...Director Walter Grauman is a man that really knows his stuff...As i said before..i hope somebody will release this movie on VHS someday..
Scary!
song_dance9915 May 2000
I saw this movie when I was about 9 or 10 years old. I honestly don't remember much about it except that it scared me so badly that I had nightmares about it for years!!! I would love to see it again. I wonder if it is really as frightening as I remember.
Early 70's TV-horror craftsmanship
Coventry31 January 2010
Maggie Porter inherits Crowhaven Farm and instantly feels that something isn't quite right with the place. We, the viewers, know for a fact there's something wrong, because her uncle who initially inherited the place blew up in a mysterious car accident on his way up there; like it was the farm's way of telling that they want Maggie. She feels as if she's been to Crowhaven Farm before, like she lived a previous life there and quickly begins to suffer from visions of tableaux occurring in the 17th Century. Stories told by an elderly neighbor, about the farm's history as the gathering place where a witch coven committed some macabre executions, confirm Maggie's anxiety. Maggie and her husband Ben then adopt the cherubic Jennifer and everything seems to go a little better from then onwards. Ben sells a couple of his painting and Maggie suddenly becomes pregnant, even though they weren't able to conceive a child before. But there's more to Jennifer than meets the eye, as she carries on her shoulder the mark of the devil. "Crowhaven Farm" is a fairly atmospheric early 70's TV-thriller, with slow-brooding suspense and a lot of emphasis on character development instead of action. The mood and plot are somewhat similar to "Rosemary's Baby", but the setting is suitably replaced towards Massachusetts with also some clear references to the morbid New England history pages like Salem. The sets are costumes are convincing enough and in the cast we have genre veteran John Carradine who walks around half of the film carrying a rotten door with him. There are a couple of strange and implausible twists near the finale and the ending is somewhat disappointing (at least to me personally it was), but nevertheless this is a fine example of early 70's TV-horror craftsmanship
Great TV movie
BandSAboutMovies1 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The ABC Movie of the Week for November 24, 1970, Crowhaven Farm embraces two trends of the 70s. One, the feeling that the hippy movement was over and a return to some small town normlacy was the only way to heal after the last few tumultuous years - indeed, it seems like several decades pass between 1963 and 1969, with tentpole events like the Tate-LaBianca murders and Woodstock occurring a week apart. And the second, and for our purposes most critical piece of the 70s was that the occult was no longer saying mantras and lighting candles and enjoying white witch magic. The true black arts were here, they wanted your soul and they would crush you using your elders. Remember that ironic pin you wore, "Don't trust anyone under thirty?" Now you're living it.
Maggie and Ben Porter (Hope Lange, who had an Oscar for Peyton Place and years of TV fame on a much friendly visit into the world of the supernatural, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir; Paul Burke, the lead on ABC's 12 O'Clock High and Naked City, as well as Lyon Burke in Valley of the Dolls, later found innocent of a racketeering scheme with Harry Connick Jr.'s dad and after that the grandfather of Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat) inherit a farm in New England, a place that another family member wants so badly that he heads up before them, nearly hits a ghost girl with his car and dies in a fireball.
Aren't the young meant for the city? Well, Ben's been trying to get his art career off the ground. Crowhaven Farm just seems to inspire him. But Maggie can't stop seeing the past of that town and the 15th century seems even more restrictive and oppressive than the white picket fence Eisenhower America that the Love Generation was running from and now to.
The last remnants of that Love Generation, the weekenders as they call themselves, come to town and use it for a place to swing, baby. And while it seems like Maggie is barren, taking care of a girl named Jennifer (Cindy Eilbacher, who is in Shanks, but also between this movie, Bad Ronald, The Death of Richie, The Force of Evil, City in Fear and The Ghost of Cypress Swamp can lay claim to some degree of made for TV movie royalty) seems to make up for their lack of family.
But ah, Crowhaven Farm is an odd place. And as soon as Old Hollywood shows up, much less John Carradine as an eerie handyman, you know that Maggie is doomed. So while Jennifer attempts to become more than just a daddy's girl and really daddy's girl, she's haunted by the spirits of Satan loving Puritans that she sold out for a child centuries ago, which makes her willing to release herself of her marriage and rush back to the city with the child she wants and without the husband too quick to believe that one of those swingers knocked her up or that she's been giving it up to her boss.
All this plus a blink and you'll miss it cameo by Willaim Smith as a policeman!
Director Walter Grauman filmed quite a few TV movies in the 70s, including Daughter of the Mind, The Old Man Who Cried Wolf and Are You In the House Alone? Writer John McGreevey's career started back in 1951, writing two episodes of Lights Out and included movies like Hot Rod Girl and TV like eighteen episodes of The Waltons (my own personal hellscape), Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story, Night Crossing and The New Adventures of Heidi.
This is the perfect example of what a TV movie can do, providing sinister feelings and true fright within a tight, taunt under two hour runtime.
Maggie and Ben Porter (Hope Lange, who had an Oscar for Peyton Place and years of TV fame on a much friendly visit into the world of the supernatural, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir; Paul Burke, the lead on ABC's 12 O'Clock High and Naked City, as well as Lyon Burke in Valley of the Dolls, later found innocent of a racketeering scheme with Harry Connick Jr.'s dad and after that the grandfather of Arrested Development's Alia Shawkat) inherit a farm in New England, a place that another family member wants so badly that he heads up before them, nearly hits a ghost girl with his car and dies in a fireball.
Aren't the young meant for the city? Well, Ben's been trying to get his art career off the ground. Crowhaven Farm just seems to inspire him. But Maggie can't stop seeing the past of that town and the 15th century seems even more restrictive and oppressive than the white picket fence Eisenhower America that the Love Generation was running from and now to.
The last remnants of that Love Generation, the weekenders as they call themselves, come to town and use it for a place to swing, baby. And while it seems like Maggie is barren, taking care of a girl named Jennifer (Cindy Eilbacher, who is in Shanks, but also between this movie, Bad Ronald, The Death of Richie, The Force of Evil, City in Fear and The Ghost of Cypress Swamp can lay claim to some degree of made for TV movie royalty) seems to make up for their lack of family.
But ah, Crowhaven Farm is an odd place. And as soon as Old Hollywood shows up, much less John Carradine as an eerie handyman, you know that Maggie is doomed. So while Jennifer attempts to become more than just a daddy's girl and really daddy's girl, she's haunted by the spirits of Satan loving Puritans that she sold out for a child centuries ago, which makes her willing to release herself of her marriage and rush back to the city with the child she wants and without the husband too quick to believe that one of those swingers knocked her up or that she's been giving it up to her boss.
All this plus a blink and you'll miss it cameo by Willaim Smith as a policeman!
Director Walter Grauman filmed quite a few TV movies in the 70s, including Daughter of the Mind, The Old Man Who Cried Wolf and Are You In the House Alone? Writer John McGreevey's career started back in 1951, writing two episodes of Lights Out and included movies like Hot Rod Girl and TV like eighteen episodes of The Waltons (my own personal hellscape), Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story, Night Crossing and The New Adventures of Heidi.
This is the perfect example of what a TV movie can do, providing sinister feelings and true fright within a tight, taunt under two hour runtime.
Cindy Eilbacher and John Carradine
kevinolzak19 July 2017
1970's "Crowhaven Farm" was among the earliest TV movies that left its mark on impressionable viewers of those many decades ago. The prolific Aaron Spelling never lost his knack for producing entertaining television, and with the small screen unable to serve up much in the way of blood or violence, subtlety was the way they had to go. A tale of witchcraft in Massachusetts seems like old hat today, but in the wake of Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" it wasn't as overexposed as it is 50 years later. Hope Lange was clearly cast against type as Maggie Carey Porter, whose presence at rural Crowhaven Farm incites memories long suppressed from a past life, sparking great success for her artist husband Ben (Paul Burke) but dire consequences for herself. The two stars are easily overshadowed by the supporting cast, in particular 12 year old Cindy Eilbacher, alternately angelic yet strangely knowing, even alluring little girl taking more than a liking to the oblivious Ben. Cindy's career was just as busy as elder sister Lisa, both of whom appeared in another TV movie of great creepy repute, 1974's "Bad Ronald." Also on hand, all too briefly unfortunately, is veteran scene stealer John Carradine, in typical form playing handyman Nate Cheever, like the girl a not so innocent presence going about his daily duties with some fiendish purpose in mind (Aaron Spelling had first used the actor on his 1959 Western series JOHNNY RINGO). It may be more effective for those nostalgically inclined, but still holds up as one of the better examples of TV terror from its first and greatest decade.
A Nice Little Supernatural Thriller
bayardhiler23 November 2012
1970's "Crowhaven Farm" is one of those little TV gems that doesn't rely on spectacular special effects or gallons of blood to tell a story. Rather, it uses good writing, acting, and simple effects to get its story across. The film follows Maggie and Ben Porter, who have just inherited Crowhaven Farm as a result of the mysterious car crash of Maggie's cousin. The couple are excited but it soon becomes apparent that all is not right with the place as Maggie begins to experience strange, horrific visions involving a young woman being tortured. She soon sees that the woman has a remarkable resemblance to her but that can't be because this woman is from the Puritan era. Is Maggie witnessing some past life involving the farm's history of witchcraft? The filmmakers are able to create a creepy atmosphere using simple techniques like allowing the viewer to see through the eyes of the characters (used very effectively from the point of view of the woman being tortured) and also by using the dead of night as its own character in the film. All of this, plus the acting of Hope Lange and Virgina Gregg make this a worthwhile viewing experience that one can see through you tube.
Saw this as a child, scared the hell out of me! Loved it!
melaniebazzell6 November 2009
I remember seeing this movie in the 70's as a child. It scared the hell out of me! I cant believe so many people commented on this film! Yay! The movie that kept me hiding under the covers for years at night as a kid! It was on a few years in a row and I always watched it. Loved it! Kept me awake at night for years! I watched The Exercism of Emily Rose last year and remembered Crowhaven Farm. I was surprised to find others who remembered it. Both movies were great and super scary! Would love to see Crowhaven as an adult and see if it is as scary as I remembered. So many witchcraft films were made in the 70's and 80's. Some scary but most not. Crowhaven Farm was scary!!!!!!
"Crowhaven Farm" Sometimes words are worth a thousand pictures.
d12245818 September 2005
I saw this made-for-TV movie when it first aired back in the early 70's. I thought it was a very effective supernatural flick at the time. I had the opportunity to hear this movie a couple of years later on the radio while working at a dude ranch in the mountains of Colorado between Durango and Silverton. The radio selections were slim at 8500 feet, but one station carried the audio's of television movies, usually creepy or scary ones. Even though I had seen this film already, I can tell you the hair on my arms and at the back of my neck stood straight up while listening to the dialog and creepy background music. I can definitively say it was scarier than watching it. If anyone gets a chance to watch this one, or better yet, listen to it from the next room, you won't be disappointed.
Something creepy is happening down at Crowhaven Farm
Woodyanders6 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Maggie (a fine and sympathetic portrayal by Hope Lange) and her artist husband Ben (a solid performance by Paul Burke) inherit an old farmhouse in the country that turns out to have a dark past. Pretty soon Maggie is experiencing scary flashbacks involving a coven of witches.
Director Walter Grauman relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, presents a strong rural atmosphere, and ably crafts a supremely spooky mood. John McGreevey's compact script offers a few neat twists and concludes on a subtly chilling note. The sound acting from the capable cast rates as another substantial asset: Lloyd Bochner as the suave Kevin Pierce, John Carradine as sinister handyman Nate Cheever, Cyril Delevanti as kindly old occult expert Harold Dane, Milton Seltzer as the friendly Dr. Terminer, and Patricia Barry as perky gal pal Felicia. However, Cindy Eilbacher easily steals the show with her sharp turn as sly and devious little girl Jennifer. William Smith pops up in nice bit as a policeman on horseback at the very end. Robert Drasnin's shivery score hits the shuddery spot. An excellent 70's made-for-TV chiller.
Director Walter Grauman relates the absorbing story at a steady pace, presents a strong rural atmosphere, and ably crafts a supremely spooky mood. John McGreevey's compact script offers a few neat twists and concludes on a subtly chilling note. The sound acting from the capable cast rates as another substantial asset: Lloyd Bochner as the suave Kevin Pierce, John Carradine as sinister handyman Nate Cheever, Cyril Delevanti as kindly old occult expert Harold Dane, Milton Seltzer as the friendly Dr. Terminer, and Patricia Barry as perky gal pal Felicia. However, Cindy Eilbacher easily steals the show with her sharp turn as sly and devious little girl Jennifer. William Smith pops up in nice bit as a policeman on horseback at the very end. Robert Drasnin's shivery score hits the shuddery spot. An excellent 70's made-for-TV chiller.
great television movie - anyone have it on tape?
hepplewhite212-dm0217 March 2004
I agree with everyone below who remembers this movie from their childhood as being very scary. There are a couple of vivid images - and story lines - that have stayed with me these 30-odd years. I've sometimes wondered if this is where Sting got the idea for the darker connotations of the song title "I'll Be Watching You"! Whew. The whole Salem thing; the whole story line in Salem; and the whole story line in the present, and how they inter-link. The resolution still chills me, even as I write this. Hope Lange of course is great in it; her husband and the girl on the road. Chilling performances. DOES ANYONE HAVE THIS ON TAPE / KNOW HOW TO GET IT ON TAPE?
One of the greatest witch movies ever made.
Phill-131 April 2001
Crowhaven Farm is one of the greatest witch movies ever made. It's up there with "Horror Hotel" (1960) (original British title "The City Of The Dead"). Both films explore the possibility that executed witches come back in contemporary times to wreak vengeance upon the descendants of those who executed them in 1692. Hope Lange is great as the reincarnated Meg Carey, trying desperately to escape the witches wrath as she and her husband (magnificently played by Paul Burke) try to have a baby. After she spends a night at the apartment of a friend (played by the usually devious Lloyd Bochner) she does, indeed, become pregnant. Burke, suspecting infidelity, (which did not happen, by the way) goes after Bochner with the usual jealous intent, all against a backdrop of witchcraft. What does young Jennifer Lewis, a spoiled, bratty, ten-year-old (played to the hilt by Cindy Eilbacher) and her aunt, Mercy Lewis (played by Virginia Gregg, a severely underrated actress of immense talent), and Felicia, played by the great Patricia Barry, all have to do with the witches? Viewers will be sitting on the edge of their seats right up to the exciting climax to find out.
A Wild and Witchy 1970's True Fright Night!
McL-Cassandra5 October 2017
Along with most of the reviewers here I watched this film back in the '70's and it scared the brightly colored bell-bottom pants right off me! I've read the lament that this flick is NOT out on DVD so I really just wanted to give everyone some renewed hope by providing a high quality version of the complete movie Crowhaven Farm (1970) that I found on YouTube! Enjoy! Here is the link (just highlight it, right click it, and then choose "Open Link in New Tab") : https://youtu.be/u_1MAsVOPqE
"Doctor, I'll Give Anything To Have A Child! Anything!"...
azathothpwiggins18 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
After a mysterious "accident" takes the life of the owner of CROWHAVEN FARM, it is bequeathed to Maggie Carrie Porter (Hope Lange). So, loading up the car, Maggie and her husband Ben head for their new home. Maggie is edgy, feeling as though she's been there before. Almost immediately, she starts seeing visions of something terrifying from long ago.
Maggie soon learns about the area's past, including witchcraft, making her all the more anxious. Several "coincidences" occur, causing tension in her marriage. The foreboding weirdness continues, right up until young Jennifer (Cindy Eilbacher) arrives.
Maggie agrees to let Jennifer stay with them while her Aunt is on a trip. At first, the ten year old is sweet and innocent. Of course, the viewer has already seen Jennifer do something quite... naughty.
From here, Jennifer gets stranger, another "accident" takes place, and the Porters' lives hurtle into the unknown. However, this isn't just another "eeevil child" movie, and Maggie is about to discover the terrible truth!
Easily one of the best made-for TV horror movies of the 1970's, today, CROWHAVEN FARM still packs a wicked, paranormal punch! Ms. Lange is perfect, as is Ms. Eilbacher. Highly recommended for the fear fanatic, especially if devilishly paranoid movies like ROSEMARY'S BABY or THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER float your boat!
Co-stars the wonderful John Carradine as the creepy caretaker...
Maggie soon learns about the area's past, including witchcraft, making her all the more anxious. Several "coincidences" occur, causing tension in her marriage. The foreboding weirdness continues, right up until young Jennifer (Cindy Eilbacher) arrives.
Maggie agrees to let Jennifer stay with them while her Aunt is on a trip. At first, the ten year old is sweet and innocent. Of course, the viewer has already seen Jennifer do something quite... naughty.
From here, Jennifer gets stranger, another "accident" takes place, and the Porters' lives hurtle into the unknown. However, this isn't just another "eeevil child" movie, and Maggie is about to discover the terrible truth!
Easily one of the best made-for TV horror movies of the 1970's, today, CROWHAVEN FARM still packs a wicked, paranormal punch! Ms. Lange is perfect, as is Ms. Eilbacher. Highly recommended for the fear fanatic, especially if devilishly paranoid movies like ROSEMARY'S BABY or THE DEVIL'S DAUGHTER float your boat!
Co-stars the wonderful John Carradine as the creepy caretaker...
Not What I Expected, but still entertaining
ArmyofGoats14 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Maggie Porter (Hope Lange) inherits some property from distant relatives, causing her and her Husband, Ben, to pack up their lives and move into the isolated farm. Immediately upon arrival, Maggie can't shake the feeling that she's been there before. She knows where the secret doors are hidden and even begins recalling past-life memories. Turns out.. Not only is the land haunted, but a coven of witches have something planned for one of them. If that wasn't bad enough
Add a creepy little orphan, pacts with the devil, And John Carradine.. being creepy as usual
And you got yourselves a story for a creepy, unknown, made-for-TV movie.
The acting was surprisingly well-done Especially for a made-for-TV movie. I can't really vouch for Carradine's performance, because EVERY SINGLE FILM I've seen him in He plays the same creepy man. I consider Hope Lange and Paul Burke performances to be slightly above average But in all honesty.. They could have been Oscar-Worthy and nobody would have known. Just about everyone was out-shined by Cindy Eilbacher, who played the Creepy-As-Hell Bipolar Orphan Girl.
At first I was kind of disappointed that this was not the typical haunted house flick. I was in the mood for some atmospheric horror film that didn't rely on CGI or jump scares. Most of the 'scares' are off screen. If you don't have much imagination Or hate pacing that wasn't developed for the ADHD Generation You will be disappointed. And for God sakes When will people learn to NEVER BUY A HOUSE IF JOHN CARRADINE IS INVOLVED!
The acting was surprisingly well-done Especially for a made-for-TV movie. I can't really vouch for Carradine's performance, because EVERY SINGLE FILM I've seen him in He plays the same creepy man. I consider Hope Lange and Paul Burke performances to be slightly above average But in all honesty.. They could have been Oscar-Worthy and nobody would have known. Just about everyone was out-shined by Cindy Eilbacher, who played the Creepy-As-Hell Bipolar Orphan Girl.
At first I was kind of disappointed that this was not the typical haunted house flick. I was in the mood for some atmospheric horror film that didn't rely on CGI or jump scares. Most of the 'scares' are off screen. If you don't have much imagination Or hate pacing that wasn't developed for the ADHD Generation You will be disappointed. And for God sakes When will people learn to NEVER BUY A HOUSE IF JOHN CARRADINE IS INVOLVED!
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