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IMDbPro

The Amityville Horror

  • 19791979
  • RR
  • 1h 57m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
41K
YOUR RATING
James Brolin, Rod Steiger, and Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:30
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Horror
Newlyweds and their three children move into a large house where a mass murder was committed. They start to experience strange, inexplicable manifestations which have strong effects on every... Read allNewlyweds and their three children move into a large house where a mass murder was committed. They start to experience strange, inexplicable manifestations which have strong effects on everyone living in or visiting the house.Newlyweds and their three children move into a large house where a mass murder was committed. They start to experience strange, inexplicable manifestations which have strong effects on everyone living in or visiting the house.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
41K
YOUR RATING
    • Stuart Rosenberg
  • Writers
    • Sandor Stern(screenplay)
    • Jay Anson(based on the book by)
    • George Lutz(story)
  • Stars
    • James Brolin
    • Margot Kidder
    • Rod Steiger
    • Stuart Rosenberg
  • Writers
    • Sandor Stern(screenplay)
    • Jay Anson(based on the book by)
    • George Lutz(story)
  • Stars
    • James Brolin
    • Margot Kidder
    • Rod Steiger
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 335User reviews
    • 131Critic reviews
    • 28Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos2

    The Amityville Horror
    Trailer 2:30
    Watch The Amityville Horror
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 5
    Video 29:06
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 5

    Photos122

    James Brolin and Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    James Brolin in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    James Brolin and Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    James Brolin and Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    James Brolin and Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    Rod Steiger and Don Stroud in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    James Brolin in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    Murray Hamilton and John Larch in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    Rod Steiger in The Amityville Horror (1979)
    The Amityville Horror (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Brolin
    James Brolin
    • George Lutz
    Margot Kidder
    Margot Kidder
    • Kathy Lutz
    Rod Steiger
    Rod Steiger
    • Father Delaney
    Don Stroud
    Don Stroud
    • Father Bolen
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • Father Ryan
    John Larch
    John Larch
    • Father Nuncio
    Natasha Ryan
    Natasha Ryan
    • Amy
    K.C. Martel
    K.C. Martel
    • Greg
    Meeno Peluce
    Meeno Peluce
    • Matt
    Michael Sacks
    Michael Sacks
    • Jeff
    Helen Shaver
    Helen Shaver
    • Carolyn
    Amy Wright
    Amy Wright
    • Jackie
    Val Avery
    Val Avery
    • Sgt. Gionfriddo
    Irene Dailey
    Irene Dailey
    • Aunt Helena
    Marc Vahanian
    Marc Vahanian
    • Jimmy
    Elsa Raven
    Elsa Raven
    • Mrs. Townsend
    Ellen Saland
    • Bride
    Eddie Barth
    Eddie Barth
    • Agucci
      • Stuart Rosenberg
    • Writers
      • Sandor Stern(screenplay)
      • Jay Anson(based on the book by)
      • George Lutz(story) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Brolin's brother was actually used for the image of the bearded man seen appearing from the 'red room' in the cellar. The studio wanted someone who bore a close resemblance to Brolin and discovered he had a brother who shared a strong resemblance to the star. Brolin's brother was fitted with a fake beard for the part.
    • Goofs
      When the bartender acts shocked at the resemblance of George to Ronald DeFeo, (the young man who killed his family in the house), he tells him that George is seated on the bar stool that DeFeo was sitting on, when he was arrested. Ronald DeFeo wasn't arrested in the bar, he was arrested in the police station, after he had confessed to the killings, after hours of interrogation.
    • Quotes

      The House: GET OUT!

    • Crazy credits
      This motion picture is based on the book "The Amityville Horror." Certain characters and events have been changed to heighten dramatic effect.
    • Alternate versions
      Original German version was cut by ca. 17 minutes. The 2005 DVD release contains the complete film but with a new dubbing.
    • Connections
      Edited into In Search of...: The Amityville Horror (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Blue Moon
      (uncredited)

      Written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

    User reviews335

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    The Amityville Horror
    After a gruesome mass murder takes place in a big house in a nice neighbourhood, the house is sold for a very affordable price to the Lutzes, an average stepfamily of five. Soon after moving in, strange things start occurring: doors, windows and furniture move by themselves, strange sounds are heard and the family members start behaving oddly. Especially George (James Brolin), the stepfather, becomes sullen and brooding over a couple of weeks, upsetting his wife Kathy (Margot Kidder) and her kids. A local priest (Rod Steiger) also notices something gravely wrong about the house, but doesn't seem to be able to help the Lutzes despite his efforts. As the eerie incidents keep getting more and more distressing, how will the Lutzes cope with the situation?

    Based on Jay Anson's book about the experiences of the real-life Lutzes, the movie maintains a somewhat down-to-earth approach to the supposedly true story. It begins so slowly that I was already becoming quite disappointed with it, even though I'm generally supportive of creeping atmosphere in cinema. However, after a while it becomes obvious that it's actually better seen as a character study as opposed to horror: George's menacing change of nature can be seen as a reaction to the stressful life situation he's going through: raising a family, running a business, moving into a new house and getting the bills paid. The bearded James Brolin captures George's emotions very effectively, essentially carrying the whole film with his performance. Rod Steiger's character Father Delaney goes through an even more drastic phase of anxiety and Steiger plays the role with all the necessary intensity, especially during his desperate call for help in a degrading church. Margot Kidder's character receives less attention, but she does her job decently too.

    The film quickly leads thoughts to other religious horrors of the era, such as The Omen and The Exorcist, but also bears a resemblance to The Shining, even though the latter only came out after it. A theme of a family man slowly losing his mind and, more obviously, an axe-swinging finale are more fascinatingly handled in Kubrick's film, but The Amityville Horror reaches a decent amount of suspense at its best too. The music by Lalo Schifrin is perfectly in tune with the atmosphere and when it finally starts in the last minutes of the movie, the action looks OK as well. The very ending comes across as rather abrupt though, even though the last shot of the family's car from afar suits the mood well.

    In summary, I think The Amityville Horror is a watchable movie, but more so as a character study than a flat out horror. What the film loses in action and gore, it wins back in the actors' performances and music. When watched with this in mind, it may prove out to be an enjoyable experience, even if it's not ultimately quite as great as the horror classics mentioned in the previous paragraph.
    helpful•10
    2
    • random_avenger
    • Aug 13, 2010

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    FAQ19

    • What is 'The Amityville Horror' about?
    • Is "The Amityville Horror" based on a book?
    • Is "The Amityville Horror" a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 27, 1979 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • 18 Brooks Road, Toms River, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • American International Pictures (AIP)
      • Cinema 77
      • Professional Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 57 minutes
      • Color
      • Stereo
      • Dolby Digital

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