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IMDbPro

The Watcher in the Woods

  • 19801980
  • PGPG
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
FamilyHorrorMystery
When a family moves to a country home, the young girls experience strange happenings that have a link to an occult event years past.When a family moves to a country home, the young girls experience strange happenings that have a link to an occult event years past.When a family moves to a country home, the young girls experience strange happenings that have a link to an occult event years past.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
6.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • John Hough
    • Vincent McEveety(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Brian Clemens(screenplay by)
    • Harry Spalding(screenplay by)
    • Rosemary Anne Sisson(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Bette Davis
    • Lynn-Holly Johnson
    • Kyle Richards
  • Directors
    • John Hough
    • Vincent McEveety(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Brian Clemens(screenplay by)
    • Harry Spalding(screenplay by)
    • Rosemary Anne Sisson(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Bette Davis
    • Lynn-Holly Johnson
    • Kyle Richards
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 106User reviews
    • 64Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 7
    Video 29:48
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 4 Episode 7

    Photos63

    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    Bette Davis in The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    Bette Davis in The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
    The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bette Davis
    Bette Davis
    • Mrs. Aylwood
    Lynn-Holly Johnson
    Lynn-Holly Johnson
    • Jan Curtis
    Kyle Richards
    Kyle Richards
    • Ellie Curtis
    Carroll Baker
    Carroll Baker
    • Helen Curtis
    David McCallum
    David McCallum
    • Paul Curtis
    Benedict Taylor
    Benedict Taylor
    • Mike Fleming
    Frances Cuka
    Frances Cuka
    • Mary Fleming
    Richard Pasco
    Richard Pasco
    • Tom Colley
    Ian Bannen
    Ian Bannen
    • John Keller
    Katharine Levy
    • Karen Aylwood
    Eleanor Summerfield
    • Mrs. Thayer
    Georgina Hale
    Georgina Hale
    • Young Mrs. Aylwood
    Ina Clare
    • Motorbike Race Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    Dominic Guard
    Dominic Guard
    • Young John Keller
    • (uncredited)
    Derek Lyons
    Derek Lyons
    • Motorbike Race Spectator
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • John Hough
      • Vincent McEveety(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Brian Clemens(screenplay by)
      • Harry Spalding(screenplay by)
      • Rosemary Anne Sisson(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Anchor Bay DVD release was originally going to be a two-disc set, with both the famous original 100 minute cut that test audiences saw (Anchor Bay found the footage that was thought destroyed, and was going to re-edit it as close as possible to the preview version) and the theatrical 84 minute cut. Unfortunately Disney did not allow Anchor Bay to have the original cut, and only let them use the two "alternate endings" which now appear on the DVD. This explains why director John Hough referring to the movie as being finally edited the way he intended (the commentary was recorded before Anchor Bay had to drop the two-disc idea), when it actually isn't. The alternate endings, however, do provide the majority of the missing footage from the 1981 preview, save some small scenes/changes. Hough explains that "his" ending is a combination of the two alternate endings and the film's current ending.
    • Goofs
      When seen in the mirror maze Karen is wearing white tights. When she returns to the chapel they are gone.
    • Quotes

      Mrs. Aylwood: [to unseen presence in the woods] She's going to stay here. Is that what you wanted?

    • Alternate versions
      Original version ran 100 minutes. Notorious for the numerous ending recuts, the film runs 84 minutes. However, you can see some deleted footage in Jan's flashback dream. You see a flashback at the carnival in which Mike says "We've got to hurry!".
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Halloween II, Priest of Love, Chanel Solitaire, The Watcher in the Woods (1981)

    User reviews106

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    The scariest Disney movie ever!
    This movie terrified me as a child. So I ran across it and had to buy it. I was expecting it to be horrible and cheesy as an adult, but I was wrong.

    This movie has some scary parts, even to adults, and I've watched hundreds of horror movies. This one still creates a few chills.

    The basic plot is that a family moves to a new house next to some spooky old lady. One of the daughters starts seeing weird things, like a blind-folded girl in the mirror. She also learns the spooky old-lady neighbor had a daughter that disappeared about 20 or 30 years ago. She investigates this mystery despite the scary things that happen.

    I promise this movie will at least give you a few chills. The creepy girl in the mirror still freaks me out. It's hard to believe this was a Disney film.
    helpful•50
    3
    • mrdewoody
    • Aug 20, 2005

    FAQ4

    • Disney usually makes movies aimed at families, so why did they have this brief times of making horror movies?
    • Is this movie based on a book?
    • What is the controversy surrounding the multiple alternative endings?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 9, 1981 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Watcher in the Woods
    • Filming locations
      • Ettington Park, Warwickshire, England, UK(chapel, manor: home of John Keller)
    • Production company
      • Walt Disney Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,000,000
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,000,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 24 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.75 : 1

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