There are many sub-genres in horror films, and I do admire a number of old-fashioned ghost stories. Of that sub-genre, this is pretty much my favorite.
That's not to say it's perfect. It has the 1970's excesses -- one penis shot and some rather grotesque sex (and yes, I know it came out in 1981...but it's so 70's). And the acting -- which I'll get to in a minute -- is uneven. But still, it's a darned good story, and it's what introduced me to Peter Straub, the author.
It's a good and classic story -- 4 college men are a little full of themselves and they all hit on a young woman. In a pivotal scene, she falls and hits her head...seemingly dead. The young men put her in a car and drive it into a lake, and just before it sinks they see she is not dead, but it is too late, the car sinks and she drowns. 50 years later the 4 old men are still close and like to tell each other ghost stories. But suddenly, they're not just stories as the drowned girl comes back for her revenge against them and their families.
Fred Astaire is the lead actor here, and at age 82 he still had something special; this was his last film. Melvyn Douglas was 79 years old here, and this was filmed not long before his death; another classic actor. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. had the least star power (and is therefore the first to die), but his brief performance here at age 72 was his last film. John Houseman had gained pop status later in life, and here he was 79. These 4 old actors are what makes this film special. Patricia Neal is along as one of the wives, but her role is not major. I very much enjoyed Jacqueline Brookes as one of the other wives.
On the younger side -- and that is a strength of the film...two stories, one of some old men, the other of some young people -- Craig Wasson was satisfactory as twins, and the sons of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Alice Krige is the evil younger woman here, and I can't say I care for her as an actress...although she's appropriately creepy here. Miguel Fernandes is the creepy Gregory Bate here; it's a good performance. Of the younger versions of the old men, most noteworthy is Ken Olin.
The special effects here are about par for the era; not fancy, but they get the job done.
The Blu Ray version of this film is quite a good transfer, though I have seen better.
A classic ghost story nicely told with some very fine older actors carrying the day. I really like it, and it's on my DVD/BluRay shelf.
That's not to say it's perfect. It has the 1970's excesses -- one penis shot and some rather grotesque sex (and yes, I know it came out in 1981...but it's so 70's). And the acting -- which I'll get to in a minute -- is uneven. But still, it's a darned good story, and it's what introduced me to Peter Straub, the author.
It's a good and classic story -- 4 college men are a little full of themselves and they all hit on a young woman. In a pivotal scene, she falls and hits her head...seemingly dead. The young men put her in a car and drive it into a lake, and just before it sinks they see she is not dead, but it is too late, the car sinks and she drowns. 50 years later the 4 old men are still close and like to tell each other ghost stories. But suddenly, they're not just stories as the drowned girl comes back for her revenge against them and their families.
Fred Astaire is the lead actor here, and at age 82 he still had something special; this was his last film. Melvyn Douglas was 79 years old here, and this was filmed not long before his death; another classic actor. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. had the least star power (and is therefore the first to die), but his brief performance here at age 72 was his last film. John Houseman had gained pop status later in life, and here he was 79. These 4 old actors are what makes this film special. Patricia Neal is along as one of the wives, but her role is not major. I very much enjoyed Jacqueline Brookes as one of the other wives.
On the younger side -- and that is a strength of the film...two stories, one of some old men, the other of some young people -- Craig Wasson was satisfactory as twins, and the sons of Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Alice Krige is the evil younger woman here, and I can't say I care for her as an actress...although she's appropriately creepy here. Miguel Fernandes is the creepy Gregory Bate here; it's a good performance. Of the younger versions of the old men, most noteworthy is Ken Olin.
The special effects here are about par for the era; not fancy, but they get the job done.
The Blu Ray version of this film is quite a good transfer, though I have seen better.
A classic ghost story nicely told with some very fine older actors carrying the day. I really like it, and it's on my DVD/BluRay shelf.