The Amityville Horror
The Amityville Horror, based on the best-selling book and supposed true story, we follow the Lutz family, and the 28 days of hell they endure.
We open on the DeFeo murders, one of the most controversial cases of the time that put Amityville, New York on the map. Time passes, and here comes the Lutz family, George (James Brolin), and Kathy (Margot Kidder). Unlike many haunted house films, they knew the history of the house, I mean, how could you not? To them it was someplace to settle down with their children. The couple ask Father Delaney (Rod Steiger) to bless the house. When he visits and knocks on the door and hears no response, he does what any good priest would do in the same situation. He walks into the house anyway. After a chilling scene in which the house speaks to him, and summons flies that cover his face, he runs away, now determined to help the family ward off the evil that inhabits their home. The family dynamic starts to shift gears, tensions rise, anger escalates, and George Lutz becomes increasingly ill as the days pass. He goes into bouts of rage, which all comes to a head in one final meltdown in which they all must escape.
I have to admit there are creepy and iconic moments in this film, but they are far and few between and rather dated. The ‘freeze frame’ flashbacks of the DeFeo murders that we saw literally minutes before do nothing but assault the audience’s senses.
The fly scene, although creepy, just isn’t what gets audience’s blood pumping these days. There are some great build ups for scares, but they almost all end up falling flat. The house as the antagonist just doesn’t feel threatening. Locking babysitters in closets, opening windows and doors is more of an inconvenience than menacing.
The acting is rather forced, but such are many of the films in during this time. Margot Kidder and James Brolin don’t really have chemistry on screen. They both seem to be doing their own things, which they freely admit to not getting along on the documentary included in the special features. James Brolin takes a 180 degree turn throughout the film though, starting off with a mediocre performance, then becoming genuinely creepy toward the end.
Where the film is successful is the exploration of the psychological and delving deeper and deeper into that kind of horror. When George starts to go insane is what really makes this movie stand on its own. With a magnificent score, that was actually nominated for an Academy Award, and some great cinematography, we are forced to take this descent into madness with George. Unfortunately, this takes place toward the end of the film, and they aren’t able to transition between the horror and the psychological horror as well as, for example, The Shining, which came out a few years later.
Video
The Blu-Ray edition features a 1080p 1.85:1 transfer. There are consistent specks throughout the film, but given the low budget and age of this film this is to be expected. Despite that, the quality of the film isn’t that bad. For the most part, the video is clear, especially many of the extreme close-ups that show vivid detail, including the obviously fake flies on the window.
Audio
Amityville Horror features both Lossless DTS Master Audio 5.1 and DTS Master Audio Mono tracks. With the 5.1 mix, you’ll be getting most of your sound out of the center channel, obviously. However, it does utilize the other channels quite effectively, often when you least expect it, making it much more creepy.
Extras
For God’s Sake, Get Out! – Documentary with James Brolin and Margot Kidder.
This Behind the Scenes Documentary interviews James Brolin and Margot Kidder. Both talk about the roads that led them to this film, and their experience working on it.
Haunted Melodies with Lalo Schifrin: A Journey Inside the Music that Makes Horror Come Alive.
A very interesting look on how the composer of the film, Lalo Schifrin, wrote the iconic score for the film, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Original Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot
Original Amityville Horror Radio Spots
Still Gallery
Audio Commentary by Dr. Hans Holzer, Ph.D. in Parapsychology
This commentary gives some very interesting insights on the true story behind the film. Although he gives a lot of information about the story, I found that there was little connection with what he was saying and what was happening on screen. It’s an interesting listen, but I believe would work better as a separate documentary.
Overall
The Amityville Horror just falls short of becoming a cult classic the likes of Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, and of course, The Exorcist. It doesn’t have the scares, or the campiness to make it a movie to enjoy over and over again. If you’re a fan of this film, this is a must own on Blu-ray. The transfer, extras, and DTS track make this worth checking out.
Amityville II: The Posession
In the ‘prequel’ to The Amityville Horror we are introduced to the Montelli family who have just moved into the house on 112 Ocean Avenue. The father, Anthony (Burt Young) is one of the most detestable characters I’ve seen on screen. In fits of anger and rage he beats his wife Dolores (Rutanya Alda), and his children. Strange occurrences begin happening in the house, and rather than look for any other possible explanation, he physically takes out his anger on his teenage son, Sonny (Jack Magner), his daughter Patricia (Diane Franklin), and his other two smallest children. Something in the house wants Sonny to fight back against his father and possesses him, changing him in ways we can’t possibly imagine, eventually leading to an incestuous relationship with his sister, and the morbid outcome for the entire family.
I can honestly say that no movie has ever made me radically change my opinion of it halfway through as this movie did. Director Damiano Damiani creates something so shocking that I will never forget.
It opens with Burt Young, who in my opinion should never do anything BUT Rocky, proudly admiring his new home he and his family are moving into. Minutes later, we see just how terrible of a person he is, when he threatens to beat up his teenage son because he was a few minutes late getting there. Burt Young’s acting is definitely eye rolling, especially his outbursts. In one of the more detestable scenes, paint brushes begin painting on the wall in the youngest children’s room, mocking the father with the words “Dishonor thy Father”. Even though it is written in cursive, and quite the elaborate painting a five year old could never master, he instantly blames them. He chases them through the house, beating everyone that gets in his way, and punching his wife so hard she falls to the ground almost knocked out. Why would you care what happens to a man like this? “Bring on his death!” I yelled. All in due time.
With a massively dysfunctional family such as this, I understand some of the family dynamics might be a bit skewed. Toward the beginning, Sonny and Patricia have a definite moment where they are very flirty with one another, pre-possession! It makes the incestuous scene all the more believable, I guess, but still, it went way too far. Although it was the point in the movie that scarred me for life, it was also the point of the movie where I changed my opinion. I watch horror movies for the shock value. I’ve seen so many, there aren’t many that can honestly show me something I haven’t already seen before. This is the point where this movie is a success.
This story is very loosely based on the DeFeo family. Certain aspects of the family dynamics, such as the questionable relationship with the sister, are based on evidence which points in that direction. This fact makes the story all the more frightening.
Another way this movie goes above and beyond expectations are the visual effects. For an early 80’s film, the special effects are pretty fantastic. From the sunken stomach scene, to the pulsing face, and ending with a scene that I feel comes straight out of a Cronenberg’s The Fly, you will be disgusted over and over again.
Video
The Blu-ray edition features a 1080p 1.78:1 transfer. The opening segment of the film is quite dirty, whether this is intentional I’m not sure, but given the state of the rest of the film I can only guess that it is. This transfer is one of the betters ones of the entire set. There are specks of dust and dirt throughout, but not very noticeable. The colors are very accurate, along with the sharpness and contrast.
Audio
You get the same choice of Lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and original 2.0 mixes. The 5.1 is comparable to the first, utilizing the surrounds for some great moments that will make you look over your shoulder.
Extras
The Possession of Damiani: Interview with Director Damiano Damiani
A very interesting interview with the Italian director, who died in 2013. In it he gives his recount of his dealings with Producer Dino De Laurentiis, and his views on the film.
Adapting Amityville: Interview with Tommy Lee Wallace
An interview with the screenwriter as he talks about his journey in getting the job, and his point of view on the story and the film.
A Mother’s Burden: Interview with Rutanya Alda
Rutanya Alda reminisces about her time on set and how she got the role. She has many interesting stories about the cast and crew.
Family Matters: Interview with Diane Franklin
Franklin, who plays the daughter, gives some interesting insights on the relationship between the brother and sister, and her beliefs on the most controversial aspect of the film.
Father Tom’s Memories: Interview with Andrew Prine
Prine discusses working with Damiani, and how successful the film was.
Continuing the Hunt: Interview with Alexandra Holzer
Holzer, the daughter of Hans Holzer, who wrote the book in which the screenplay was adapted and provided the commentary on the first film, discusses her father.
Trailers
Still Gallery
Audio Commentary with Alexandra Holzer
This commentary is unlike any that I’ve heard. There is no soundtrack to the film at all, no voices of the actors, nothing. She occasionally chimes in with beliefs that her father had when applicable. Other than that you sit and watch in silence, hearing her moving around. Very odd.
Overall
I enjoyed this film much more than the first. It’s been criticized over the years, but if you enjoy horror films that make you uncomfortable, have great special effects, and truly horrific scenes, then you need to check this out. The transfer is the best it’s going to get, and they went above and beyond on the extras for this disc, with numerous interviews that give you a deeper appreciation for the film.
Amityville 3-D
See the death of a franchise in a whole new dimension!
Amityville 3-D begins with reporters John Baxter (Tony Roberts), and Melanie (Candy Clark), visiting the iconic house in order to debunk the supernatural events that have taken place. After John gets his article on the cover of his newspaper, he decides an even better idea would be to purchase the house himself as somewhere to live after his divorce. Supernatural events take place, afflicting him and everyone around him, but he brushes it off to a more logical explanation. It takes the death of several people he cares about to finally see that there actually may be something evil in the house.
The film offers little in the realm of shock value and scares, recycling scenes from past films, such as the fly scene, which somehow is done even worse than the first film. They focus more on the 3D aspect of the film, making it more of a gimmick than a tool for horror. The scenes easily stand out, even if you aren’t watching the film in 3D. A frisbee that floats mid-air then comes flying at the screen, a flashlight pointing right in your face for several seconds, and even the camera crew’s equipment pointed directly at the audience. This does nothing for the effect of the movie, just evidence of how NOT to use 3D.
The premise of the film started off rather interesting, given the controversy over the validity of the quote unquote true story of the Lutz family. A skeptic that doesn’t believe in the supernatural who actually debunks part of the mystery of the house. It takes the death of his realtor, tragedy after tragedy involving those closest to him, and an actual demon burning the flesh off of someone in front of him to finally realize he may have been wrong.
After the special effects spectacular that was Amityville II, this one doesn’t even compare. The fly scene, as mentioned before, was much better in the original. Using a combination of real and fake flies, you had to look really carefully to notice which ones weren’t real. In Amityville 3-D, a black mass swirls around, transposed on screen. They are supposed to be flies, but it looks more like a liquid of some kind. This shot is superimposed over the realtor, while having what looks like raisins being thrown at his face. I may be exaggerating a bit as to the quality, but my eyes were so busy rolling in my head I may have missed an actual fly on screen. Some of the ‘ghostly’ apparitions that float through the air look as though they were lifted directly from the view screen of the original Star Trek. My……God! they were bad.
There are a couple redeeming qualities of the movie, but not many. One scene I was very impressed with was when the house was self-destructing. There are some really cool set piece moments when John and his wife were trying to escape the house. I can only imagine the time it took to set up, because may of these all happen one after the other, and on one take. It’s also cool to see a very young Meg Ryan and Lori Loughlin.
Video
This Blu-ray edition features both 2D and 3D versions of the film, in 1080p 2.35:1. Definitely the worst transfer of the set, with a particularly bad ghosting effect, causing everything to be very unfocused and blurry at times. Whether this is due to the 3D transfer, I’m not sure, but it’s definitely noticeable. There are also visible roller scratches, or vertical lines running down some of the picture, due to the state of the print they transfered the film from.
Audio
This set also includes Lossless DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 mixes. Although the 5.1 mix isn’t as effective as the first two, it still is effective enough to provide some great surround sound in certain scenes.
Extras
A Chilly Reception: An Interview with Actress Candy Clark
Candy Clark reminisces about her time on set and her memories of making the film.
Photo Gallery
Trailer
Overall
Amityville 3-D is a disappointing bookend to the trilogy. The house seems to explode in almost every film. This time, it needs to stay that way.