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:

For God's sake, get out!

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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, 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

Kidder was cast on the strength of her performance in Superman, a film in which her co-star Brolin auditioned for the title role. Christopher Reeve who played Superman, was considered for Brolin's role in this film.

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Goofs

(at around 3 mins) In the opening of the film, while the murders are being committed it is raining very heavily. When the police show up a short time later, there are leaves blowing and the ground is dry.

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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

Spoofed in The Kevin Bishop Show: Episode #2.3 (2009)

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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

OLD FASHIONED HORROR!

Excited about the remake I decided to go out and just but the original Amityville Horror. Being a huge horror buff, I just had to and besides I had only seen some of it's absurd sequels. hearing mixed reviews from friends and critics from terrifying to hilarious I turned it on with my boyfriend at the time and prepared myself for something scary. I must say that I was quite impressed. And although slightly disappointed in some of the films scenes ultimately I must say this is one old fashioned scary flick! I can hugely recognize the appeal it had in it's it's hey day. With the exception of Texas chainsaw Massacre, Evil Dead, the Omen and some others I rarely see what people did in their horror classics nowadays. Like The Exorcist, pretty damn boring and funny in my opinion. But getting back to this film. It builds a creeping mood filled with fright inducing suspense. The effects are simple but effective and the performances are somewhat over the top but necessarily wacky. The film's overall lasting appeal has little to do with the film's apparent campiness. it has more to do with the real terror inducing legend that inspired it. Like the Chainsaw remake the new ones looks to amp up the horror and intensity which would be greatly welcomed. Although a great horror classic Amityville's finale is somewhat anti climactic and after a long and impressively scary build-up it fails to deliver the end goods. But whoa some of the scenes from the imaginary friend Jody flying out the window, to the visitor at the door, to the voice in the house and just everything in the basement this film is all about delivering some authentic chills. 8/10