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The Changeling (1980)
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Overview
Release Date:
28 March 1980 (USA) moreTagline:
"How did you die, Joseph...? Did you die in this house...? Why do you remain...?" morePlot:
A man staying at a secluded historical mansion, finds his life being haunted by the presence of a spectre. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
10 wins & 4 nominations moreUser Comments:
One Of The Best, Classiest Haunted-House Movies moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| George C. Scott | ... | John Russell | |
| Trish Van Devere | ... | Claire Norman | |
| Melvyn Douglas | ... | Sen. Joseph Carmichael | |
| Jean Marsh | ... | Joanna Russell | |
| John Colicos | ... | De Witt | |
| Barry Morse | ... | Parapsychologist | |
| Madeleine Sherwood | ... | Mrs. Norman (as Madeleine Thornton-Sherwood) | |
| Helen Burns | ... | Leah Harmon | |
| Frances Hyland | ... | Elizabeth Grey | |
| Ruth Springford | ... | Minnie Huxley | |
| Eric Christmas | ... | Albert Harmon | |
| Roberta Maxwell | ... | Eva Lingstrom | |
| Bernard Behrens | ... | Prof. Robert Lingstrom | |
| James B. Douglas | ... | Eugene Carmichael | |
| J. Kenneth Campbell | ... | Security guard |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
107 minCountry:
CanadaLanguage:
EnglishColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
DolbyCertification:
Sweden:15 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:13 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | West Germany:18 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1980) | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #25883) | Singapore:PG | UK:15MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Before Peter Medak was given the job, two British directors were considered; Tony Richardson declined due to creative differences. moreGoofs:
Continuity: The level of the flames changes inconsistently several times during the end sequence. moreQuotes:
John Russell: [speaking to Senator Carmichael about Joseph] There's no logical explanation for what I'm going to say to you now... The boy was badly crippled. I believe he was killed... in an attic room of that house.[pauses]
John Russell: I, um... I *saw* what happened. And I believe it was Richard Carmichael, your father... who murdered the boy, his natural son, Joseph Carmichael. And then there's a substitution from the Sacred Heart Orphanage, the boy was taken to Europe... cured miraculously... returned... to inherit an empire. That changeling was you.
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Soundtrack:
Rondo in A minor for Piano, K. 511 moreFAQ
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"The Changeling" is an old-fashioned, but hair-raising ghostly tale, very much at the level of classics of the subgenre like "Legend of Hell House (1973)" and "The Haunting (1963)." The film's narrative is interesting, and at times, even moving. Also, the film proves that old adagio that you don't really need to show anything in order to scare the audience. There are hardly any special effects in the film; violence is mostly implied. Director Medak puts his trust on the audience, allowing the viewers to fill in the blanks the movie stimulates the imagination of the viewer like the best horror films often do. I wish more directors were as smart as Medak because his technique really pays off this is one helluva scary movie! Plenty of spooky sequences will keep horror fans glued to the TV and those of you that don't particularly care for this type of production will surely enjoy this film's classy, elegant style. George C. Scott is terrific as the man tangled in a complicated web of ghostly mysteries. Many other familiar faces show up throughout the film (Melvyn Douglas, John Colicos, Madeline Sherwood, etc.). John Coquillon's camera work is eerily patient, and composer Rick Wilkins is a great accomplice when it comes to help scare the audience. It is simply one of the best haunted-house movies that I have seen.