Skip to main content

The Changeling (1980)


You may notice that this particular article is lacking the "From the Corner" pre-fix.  That's because this review of the 1980 film "The Changeling" is a Basement Exclusive!  I have not reviewed this film for "The Corner of Terror".

After the death of his wife and daughter, John Russell moves into an old, isolated mansion in order to work on composing a new piece.  He soon finds himself enveloped in strange sounds, shadows, and spirits- all leading to an explosive revelation about one of the most powerful men in the country...

This film, starring George C. Scott is a true horror classic.  It expertly weaves a ghost story that will stay with you even after you've turned all the lights on.

The story is fantastic, and exemplifies what a good ghost story should be.  The pacing is slow, but tense as it builds and builds to it's eruptive climax.  It keeps adding bits and pieces of the story at just a fast enough flow to keep you interested, and carry you along.  Each story element that gets added just turns the dial up a notch- balancing the subtle eerie moments with the more shocking ones.  A well crafted story.

The characters are fairly standard by today's standards, though John Russell (George C. Scott), and Senator Joseph Carmichael (Melvyn Douglas) are well developed and fully realized characters- which is fitting since they are the protagonist and antagonist respectively.  The others are, as I said, standard... but still likable enough, and flesh out the world around the two main ones suitably.

The acting of Scott and Douglas are great.  Both bring a real energy and reality to their roles.  To be honest, words fail me when I try to describe my thoughts on their acting in this movie.  Just awesome.

The camera work is a marvelous blend of standard camera angles and movements, and off-kilter ones- with the off-kilter ones making the spooky scenes all the more un-nerving and scary.  The ball scene in the GIF at the top is a perfect example of that.  Kudos to the camera staff and editing staff on compiling all of the various shots into a cohesive whole that scared the fucking shit out of me as a kid.

I really can't say enough good things about "The Changeling".  It is right up in my Top Five Horror Movies for good reason.  I have to qualms re-watching it each year, or recommending it to people.  This movie deserves a spot in "The Good" for sure.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Zombie Bikers From Detroit (2001)

Over the years, it has been shown that with very little money, a skillful director can put together a high quality horror movie (John Carpenter's " Halloween ", " The Blair Witch Project ", and " Paranormal Activity " being a few of them).  So, when it comes to determining a movie's quality, budget is no longer a negative... Ken and his mother have moved from Hell, Michigan to Grosse Pointe near Detroit.  Upon his arrival, he meets the lovely Courtney, and her jealous suitor Chad.  While Ken and Chad square off, an evil is growing within Detroit and slowly spreading towards Grosse Point... where Ken will meet his destiny ... This week's " What Movie Wednesday " winner was " Zombie Bikers From Detroit "- a low budget horror movie that feels like it was put together as a school project.  High School, or College... I can't really tell. The premise- as stated in my little synopsis is interesting- as was the title.  ...

Meridian: Kiss of the Beast (1990)

Sometimes, a director/producer will surprise you- such was the case during " Terrorpolooza 2012 " when I watched Charles Band's " Meridian: Kiss of the Beast " Catherine Bomarzini has come home after her father's death.  Needing company, she asks Gina to stay with her.  Soon, the two meet a wondering troupe of performers that Catherine invites to dinner at her castle. Catherine find herself pulled into a love triangle and an ancient curse that only she can break. After watching movies like " Evil Bong ", and " Demonic Toys ", I really wasn't expecting too much from this Charles Band movie- but I was pleasantly surprised by it. The story is actually quite interesting with lots of potential for eerie scenes, and character development.  It's a nice twist on the classic " Beauty and the Beast " story.  It's a bit slower than most of Band's other works, but moves smoothly and draws you with it. I have to ad...

Grave Questions: Jessica Cameron

February is " Women in Horror Month "- a month in which to celebrate the impact that women have had on the genre and the industry- from writing, to acting, to directing and producing. Jessica Cameron has experienced the industry in all those capacity- making her a perfect choice for me to ask some " Grave Questions " of in order to raise awareness of the great women in Horror. Please not that this article SHOULD'VE been posted in February, but due to technical difficulties, we're putting it up now.  Thank you. TCoT :   Which female horror stars helped to inspire you to not only enjoy the genre- but to get involved in bringing scary movies to the world? Jessica :  I literally said to my " Truth or Dare " producer, "If the Soska sisters can make " Dead Hooker in a Trunk " with nothing, then I can make " Truth or Dare ".  So needless to say that those girls have been a huge inspiration in everything I do behind the ...