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The Returning

  • 19831983
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
3.8/10
82
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The Returning (1983)
  • Horror
  • Mystery
Two different men are possessed by spirits of Native Americans after they separately wander into a sacred burial ground. When John and Sybil come home with their son after a trip to the Moja... Read allTwo different men are possessed by spirits of Native Americans after they separately wander into a sacred burial ground. When John and Sybil come home with their son after a trip to the Mojave Desert, they bring an unusual stone back as a memento of the trip. The stone seems to c... Read allTwo different men are possessed by spirits of Native Americans after they separately wander into a sacred burial ground. When John and Sybil come home with their son after a trip to the Mojave Desert, they bring an unusual stone back as a memento of the trip. The stone seems to cause strange noises and other horrible inexplicable phenomena.
IMDb RATING
3.8/10
82
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Joel Bender
  • Writer
    • Patrick Nash(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Susan Strasberg
    • Gabriel Walsh
    • Victor Arnold
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joel Bender
  • Writer
    • Patrick Nash(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Susan Strasberg
    • Gabriel Walsh
    • Victor Arnold
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    The Returning (1983)
    The Returning (1983)
    The Returning (1983)
    The Returning (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Susan Strasberg
    Susan Strasberg
    • Sybil Ophiras Sybil Ophir
    Gabriel Walsh
    • John Ophiras John Ophir
    Victor Arnold
    Victor Arnold
    • Al Lyonsas Al Lyons
    Ruth Warrick
    Ruth Warrick
    • Graceas Grace
    Brian Poelman
    • Jason Ophiras Jason Ophir
    John Hansen
    John Hansen
    • Kevinas Kevin
    H.E.D. Redford
    • Mr. Rizeras Mr. Rizer
    Mostea Oshley
    • Medicine Manas Medicine Man
    Babetta Dick
    • Co-workeras Co-worker
    Terrell Dougan
    • Neighbor #1as Neighbor #1
    Beverly Rowland
    • Neighbor #2as Neighbor #2
    • (as Beverly Booth Rowland)
    Rick Barker
    Rick Barker
    • Spikeeas Spikee
    • (as Richard W. Barker)
    Logan Field
    • Jimmy the Bartenderas Jimmy the Bartender
    Victoria Lopez
    • Al's Girlfriendas Al's Girlfriend
    Ben Jones
    • Indian in Trading Postas Indian in Trading Post
    Fred Schwab
    • Cop with Corpseas Cop with Corpse
    Jay Bernard
    • Mr. Lyonsas Mr. Lyons
    Yvonne Robertson
    • Mrs. Lyonsas Mrs. Lyons
    • Director
      • Joel Bender
    • Writer
      • Patrick Nash(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final film of Babetta Dick.
    • Connections
      References The Exorcist (1973)

    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    One word. Peculiar.
    Where did this one come from?! The ingredients are there for something special, but what only occurs is an interestingly baffling curio. Mainly the bugs come from its big intentions, for such an ultra-limited production the execution comes off being creaky. Despite building mystic atmospherics and getting an eerie vibe, the ambitiously original concept (Native American spirituality) is not as well told or developed as it could have been. To tell the truth it's messy, but so unusual that it had me compelled. For long stretches not much would happen with it focusing either on trippy visuals (oh look at the pretty glowing colours) and moody performances that were led by a largely worded script. It could wallow on at times, but the low-temperament styling lent well to the melancholy and scarred nature of the story. How to explain without spoiling. Quite tough. A family is struck with grief when their young son is killed in a car accident. It hits the father hard, and something about some rocks that he son had collected on a camping trip begins to have an influence over him mentally. His wife is worried, as his state of mind baffles everyone around him. That'll do. Although the ending was a bit of a let down. The structure of the story was rather second-rate with lazy stabs of fading cutaways and hacked-up editing. However location photography was fluidly formatted with the breathtaking Utah backdrop and there were some creative tilt angle framing and light filtering. So there was an adventurous side and also add Harry Manfredini's oddly, uncanny smörgåsbord of a music score too. The effects are the low-rent side, but resourcefully used. Susan Strasberg, Gabriel Walsh, and Victor Arnold give fine performances. Strasberg especially so, and Ruth Warrick gives able support. It might not eventuate to much, but it has some appeal.
    helpful•7
    0
    • lost-in-limbo
    • Jun 27, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 25, 1983 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Witch Doctor
    • Filming locations
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
    • Production company
      • Willow Productions Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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