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:

haunted house | woman wearing only a man's shirt | male underwear | 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:

The 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

Gross USA:

$86,432,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$86,432,000

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

Stars James Brolin and Margot Kidder visited the real Amityville house as part of a publicity junket.

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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 Adapting Amityville with Tommy Lee Wallace (2013)

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Soundtracks

Concerto No. 5 in F-Minor For Harpsichord and Strings
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Arranged and adapted by Lalo Schifrin

User Reviews

The Amityville Horror-1979

I went to HMV one day and decided to buy a horror movie. I had heard all about Amityville Horror. It was always on TV, but I never had the interest to watch it. So I bought the 2000 MGM DVD for $9.99. The movie is about a couple that moves into a new house, but little do they know, it is haunted. All of this was apparently a true story. Wonderful acting by Rod Stieger. This movie is not really a horror movie. It does not have the chills of a horror movie. The reason I never watched it was because I heard it was a bit of a bore. This movie is not what you may think it is. Don't go buying this if you think you will get a really scary movie. The DVD has a great picture. Probably a step up from the VHS version. If you are interested in the story of Amityville, then go out and get it. Do not expect a movie with blood and gore, because this movie is almost free of it. The 2000 DVD version is a bit of a disappointment in terms of features. Only the trailer is included. There are 8 sequels.

6/10