The Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror is a classic haunted house film that has been terrifying audiences since its release in 1979. Based on a book of the same name by Jay Anson, the movie tells the ostensibly true story of one family’s horrifying experiences in their new home, an iconic house located in the small coastal town of Amityville, New York.

The film is directed by Stuart Rosenberg, known for his adept storytelling and for guiding his actors to deliver profoundly evocative performances. Rosenberg collaboratively work with a seasoned cast featuring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, who bring their characters vibrantly to life, adding an immersive layer of realism to the story.

Brolin and Kidder playing George and Kathy Lutz, a newly married couple embarking on their dream life together. Along with their family of three children, they move into their seemingly ideal home, not knowing the terrifying events that unfolded there just a year prior. Overwhelmed by the striking beauty and the unbelieveably low price of the house, they open a new chapter of their life, unaware of the chilling incidents they are about to experience.

Brolin, known best for his role in popular TV series 'Marcus Welby, M.D.', delivers an impeccable performance as George Lutz. He excellently portrays a loving, protective family man slowly succumbing to the unholy influence of the demonic house, leading to certain actions he can't fathom. Kidder, remembered for her role in 'Superman', plays his affable wife Kathy Lutz. Her performance is equally praiseworthy, offering a stirring portrayal of a devoted wife and mother gradually becoming terrified of her own husband.

Veteran actor Rod Steiger, known for his Academy Award-winning performances, plays the role of Father Delaney, a pious cleric who gets caught up in the demonic happenings of the Amityville house. His performance adds dramatic gravitas and depth to the ensemble cast, playing out the struggle between faith and the supernatural forces with great aplomb.

The Amityville Horror employs a slow-burn narrative as it gradually cranks up the tension. As the narrative unfolds, so does the eerie atmosphere inside the house, frightening insights slowly revealed, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The story is deeply entrenched in paranormal activities and psychic phenomena, ticking all the expected boxes of a haunted house film while sidestepping clichés to give genuinely startling, nerve-wrenching moments.

The terrifying atmosphere of the film is further enhanced by its haunting cinematography and spookily effective sound design. The cinematography by Fred J. Koenekamp captures with chilling clarity the transformation of the house from bright and welcoming to dark and forbidding. Coupled with Lalo Schifrin's eerie score, the film creates a deeply unsettling ambiance that will linger in your mind long after the movie has ended.

Though the film is centered on the supernatural, it deals with very human themes - family, love, and the struggle to preserve these in the face of overwhelming opposition. The movie explores the depths to which some unseen, evil forces can twist the relationships and the extent that families go to save their loved ones.

Central to the film's narrative is the iconic, three-story Dutch-colonial house, its unsettling facade marked by the pair of two-quarter round windows that seem to bring an evil presence to life. To this day, the Amityville house remains a symbol in the culture, instantly recognizable and forever linked with the horror genre.

The movie, while paying homage to classic horror films, also became a trendsetter for future haunted house films with its unique infusion of psychological horror elements. Its influence on the world of horror is undeniable and has led the creation of an entire franchise, including several sequels and reinterpretations over the years.

The Amityville Horror, for being a product of its time, pushes the envelope on the eeriness so cunningly that it continues to hold up - both as a successful adaptation of Anson's book and as a stand-alone horror film.

In conclusion, The Amityville Horror is an execution of exceptional filmmaking that strikes the delicate balance between the horror of the paranormal and the drama of familial relationships, satisfying viewers who crave both sides. Whether you're a fan of well-crafted old school horror or the iconic moments it offers, you'd be remiss to skip this classic in your Halloween marathon.