The Amityville Horror (1979)

Newlyweds move into a large house where a mass murder was committed, and experience strange manifestations which drive them away.

Director:

Stuart Rosenberg

Writers:

Sandor Stern (screenplay), Jay Anson (based on the book by)

Stars:

James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Brolin	...	George Lutz
Margot Kidder	...	Kathy Lutz
Rod Steiger	...	Father Delaney
Don Stroud	...	Father Bolen
Murray Hamilton	...	Father Ryan
John Larch	...	Father Nuncio
Natasha Ryan	...	Amy
K.C. Martel	...	Greg
Meeno Peluce	...	Matt
Michael Sacks	...	Jeff
Helen Shaver	...	Carolyn
Amy Wright	...	Jackie
Val Avery	...	Sgt. Gionfriddo
Irene Dailey	...	Aunt Helena
Marc Vahanian	...	Jimmy

Storyline

Based on a true story that was claimed by writer Jay Anson, The Amityville Horror is about a large house on the coast of Long Island where newlyweds George and Kathy Lutz and their three children move into the house that they hope will be their dream house which ends up in terror. Despite full disclosure by the real estate agent of the house's history, George and Kathy buy the house. George says, "Houses don't have memories," but they turn to their family priest Father Delaney who believes the house is haunted and performs an exorcism on the house. But satanic forces in the house causes him to become blind and makes him very sick. With the help of another priest Father Bolen and a police detective, George and Kathy face the fears of the house, but not knowing the forces are planning to possess George and then the children.

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural horror | woman wearing only a man's shirt | haunted house | priest | fear | 

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Taglines:

The best-selling novel about a haunted house... has become real!

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Genres:

Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 July 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amityville Horror

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,843,467, 29 July 1979, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$86,432,520

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP),Cinema 77,Professional Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, Lalo Schifrin's score for this film was not the legendary rejected score composed for The Exorcist (1973). The rejected "Exorcist" score has subsequently been released on CD and is completely different in every respect.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 50 mins) Lightning smashes through one of the attic windows (during the axe attack), but subsequent exterior shots (the escape) show both windows still intact.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Cop at the House: Jesus Christ, it gets worse all the time.

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Crazy Credits

This motion picture is based on the book "The Amityville Horror." Certain characters and events have been changed to heighten dramatic effect.

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Alternate Versions

Original German version was cut by ca. 17 minutes. The 2005 DVD release contains the complete film but with a new dubbing.

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Connections

Referenced in Kvarteret Skatan: Par i husvisning (2006)

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Soundtracks

Blue Moon
(uncredited)
Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

User Reviews

Dated but great!

True, the special effects aren't so special these days. True, the girl with the braces brings tears of laughter rather than terror. But nonetheless, this movie remains a creepy gem from my young days... Everyone misses the point that the real 'star' of the movie is the house! The building is both attractive and sinister - truly gothic in the importance of the setting. Whether the story is true or not, if you want a movie to snuggle on the couch in the dark, eating popcorn, feeling the thrill of a ghost story scare, this is one for you...