Burnt Offerings
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Movie Reviews of Burnt Offerings
Movie Review: Creepy thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
With Halloween almost upon us, it's time to take a brief glimpse back at some classic films of terror. Dan Curtis' started directing and producing with his terror/soap hybrid "Dark Shadows". This stylized film recalls "Dark Shadows" and Curtis' other films of terror "The Night Strangler" and "Trilogy of Terror" in that what you don't see or understand creates more suspense than what you do see. Ben and Marian Rolf (the wonderful Oliver Reed and Karen Black)and their young son Ben (Todd Turquand)find a beautiful old house in the middle of nowhere for their summer rental. The place has been around for at least a hundred years based on the photos of the house taken over the years. Arnold Allardyce (Burgess Meredith) and Roz Allardyce (Eileen Heckart)will rent the place to them for next to nothing---$900.00 for three months. Ben suspects there's a catch and there is--Arnold and Roz's mother never leaves the place. She doesn't need any special attention just three meals a day and no disturbances.
Reluctantly Ben senior agrees to the deal when it's clear that Marian has fallen in love with the old house. They move in with Ben's aunt Elizabeth (Bette Davis in a wonderful and cynical turn). Strange things start happening shortly after they move in; Ben begins having these vivid, horrible nightmares and the family's behavior begins to change as well with Ben threatening his son while playing with him.
A marvelous late 70's thriller, "Burnt Offerings" works precisely because of what Curtis doesn't show us; we don't see any hideous monsters poking out of the cellar nor body parts torn apart. if you're expecting that in this movie, look elsewhere. What makes "Burnt Offerings" work so well is the sense of menace and foreboding that begins as soon as the family enters the house for the first time. There's just too many unanswered questions and mysteries lingering about the house.
Featuring a marvelous commentary by director Curtis, co-screenwriter William F. Nolan ("Trilogy of Terror" and the author of the novel Logan's Run as well as episodes of "The Twilight Zone" and other series) and actress Karen Black, "Burnt Offerings" gives you the creeps. Stellar performances by all the cast particularly Burgess Meredith in a showy supporting role and Eileen Eckhart. I always thought there was something slightly off about Black and this movie demonstrates that she can use that image to great effect.
A warning for DVD buyers. The film was shot using a number of filters to give the house a golden, almost overlit look to it. A lot of folks believe it's just a bad transfer. It's not. While the print looks pretty good with minimal to no analog artifacts, it could have looked a bit brighter with more vivid colors. Overall, though, the look of the film accurately portrays the film's intended look through the use of camera and lighting filters to give the film its unique, distinct look. You'll notice that the look of the film shifts subtly as time moves on and that's quite deliberate as well. I won't spoil it all for you but will let you discover it for yourself.
The film comes with the original theatrical trailer (where you'll notice the same "filtered" effect on display although not quite as pristine. The trailer is also quite worn and clearly hasn't been restored. Although the film doesn't have any featurettes about the making of the film, the commentary more than makes up for that with interesting background on the writing, directing and acting of the film. As many others have pointed out, the house shown here is in Oakland, California. If you get a chance try and visit that area. It'll creep you out once you realize it's the same house that was also used in parts of "Phantasm".
Movie Review: The Perfect Summer Rental Home . . . of Your Nightmares
Summary: 4 Stars
! Possible Spoilers ! Proceed at your own risk...
I need to preface this review by saying that I have huge nostalgia for this movie. Every so often during the 1980's this film would appear on television. This was before cable when we only had a few major networks and a couple of public television stations. I remember on some Sunday afternoon I would discover this movie was playing again on TV and I'd sit there, riveted, watching this grand old mansion very slowly devour this unsuspecting family.
People tend to pick at this movie's flaws and faults, and to compare it to other haunted house films. Yes, it has a very similiar concept to certain movies, like The Shining (1980), like The Haunting (1963). It's a supernatural tale but the house is the evil force.
This film provides a few very effective chills, at least for me. The musical score with its deep, menacing strings and eerie tinkling piano works very well. I love Bob Cobert's compositions (The Night Stalker, Dark Shadows, etc). Also, the image of the gaunt funeral chauffeur is very powerful and unforgettable, like a nightmare image. And the old house where they filmed Burnt Offerings is amazing and beautiful.
The film is based on the novel by Robert Marasco. The book delves much deeper into the themes explored in the film, particularly Marion Rolf's obsession and transformation. I enjoyed reading it; it's a well paced horror thriller not unlike other good books of that time, such as the work of Ira Levin (The Stepford Wives, Rosemary's Baby, etc).
Director Dan Curtis throws some nice creepy touches in the film. His timing is quite good. The cast works pretty well here.
The fun part is watching the house begin to change, and at the same time watching Karen Black changing; a touch of gray in her hair appears, and then eventually she begins dressing more like an older woman in dowdy shawls and dresses, with a cameo or brooch.
There's hardly any gore until the end where there's a sudden dash of blood for good measure. The movie is definitely an exercise in atmosphere and ambience. It is very macabre, there's no doubting that. The ending is really fun. Seeing Karen Black in that chair, glaring hatefully... "I've been waiting for you, Ben..." Good stuff.
I can forgive some little imperfections and faults in the film:
Oliver Reed whispers 90% of his lines (that's just his style).
The family should leave the house but it's entirely too late when they try to.
You can figure out the ending ages before it happens.
The camera angles are mostly pointing up at the actors from below so it feels like you're a cat watching them.
Sometimes it seems like the movie was shot through gauze or with a smear of Vaseline on the camera lens.
But there's so much in this movie that I really enjoy which far outweighs the negatives. It's just a really creepy film to me. Granted, it is not as good as The Changeling, but it's worlds better than a lot of horror films that have come and gone since 1978.
Note: The audio commentary on the dvd (by actress Karen Black, director Dan Curtis, and cowriter William Nolan) is a dull dud and a waste of time.
Movie Review: Evil Has a New Home
Summary: 4 Stars
Who's up for a truly creepy haunted house thriller? In 1976, director Dan Curtis, Dark Shadows (1966) and Trilogy of Terror (1975) brought to life a wonderfully scary movie that scarred quite a few younger viewers at the time and still has the power to evoke strong remembrances when mentioned.Burnt Offerings (1976) stars Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis, and Burgess Meredith. City dwellers Marian (Black) and Ben (Reed) Rolf find the deal of a lifetime in a fabulous, secluded country estate, and soon settle in, along with their son and old auntie (Davis). A deal too good to be true? Why yes, it is, as strange things start happening, but not so strange as to send up serious warning flags that would cause most any of us to flee.
What was so great about this movie was the way the director took his time in ratcheting up the suspense for the viewer. Changes to the various characters were introduced in such as way as to seem subtle, and not highly alarming. Soon some of the characters do catch on, but by then, it's too late. I thought Reed was really great in this movie, a man haunted by a past demon amplified through the house, who manages to keep a fairly level head throughout. Another wonderful character in the movie is the house itself. Dunsmuir Estate is the setting for most of the movie, actually coming to life through skillful directing and some very creepy music. This is an actual home, located in Oakland, California.
The movie runs just under two hours, but the time will seem to go by quickly as you will find yourself gorilla glued to the screen, waiting in anticipation as to what happens next. There is a noticeable lack of blood, as the scares are more of the psychological kind. This seems to be a tactic used not so much these days, as visceral sells, but I do enjoy when the violence can be implied, rather than shown. I find my imagination is able to come up with plenty of scary images given the right fuel. The main problem I had with the movie was the picture. The movie on the disc appears in that sort of diffused style common in the 70's, where everything seems to have a slight fuzz on it, a haze throughout the picture. I did get used to it after awhile, but it was a little annoying. I don't seem to recall it being like this when I first saw the movie so long ago, but oh well. Another problem, a minor one, was some of the audio was unclear, as it seemed the audio levels were uneven at times. There are English subtitles, and I made use of them.
As far as special features go, there is a commentary track by director Curtis, Karen Black and Co-writer William F. Nolan and an original theatrical trailer which I would avoid watching until after watching the film as it gave too much away, in my opinion. I will tall you this, the end truly a climatic one, and well worth the wait. If you liked Burnt Offerings, I would highly recommend the 1963 Robert Wise film, The Haunting.
Cookieman108
Movie Review: "I've been waiting for you, Benji..."
Summary: 4 Stars
The 70's certainly had a fair share of both good and not-so-good horror films. This one falls somewhere in the middle, but I'm bumping it up to four stars because it's worth the price and a bowl of popcorn on a rainy Sunday. Dan Curtis does a fairly decent job bringing this haunted house yarn to the screen. I found Morasco's novel weak in parts, and the pacing of the film is geared for those who are accustomed to suspense. There's no quick thrill here. The viewer is slowly drawn in, and some genuine frights represent the ultimate reward.
Oliver Reed is terrific as the skeptical dad. "What's the catch?" He inquires when told of the price to rent a somewhat neglected mansion for the entire summer. Well, there's always a catch, and you don't have to be a fan of horror or supernatural thrillers to appreciate that bit of advice. Anyhow, Reed, maintaining his British accent throughout, seems in charge of things until he agrees to satisfy his wife's yearning to live like royalty, albeit for a mere three months. Karen Black plays Marion, and I think she is also a credible actor who, although somewhat attractive, has a genuinely creepy visage--a face made for the horror genre. She had worked previously with Curtis on his telepic "Trilogy of Terror," and was actually a few months pregnant during the filming of "Burnt Offerings."
Betty Davis makes an appearence, too, playing the tough-as-nails Aunt Elizabeth who plainly tells Benji (a nickname she calls Reed's character), "I don't like it here...I want to leave this house." Unfortunately for Aunt Elizabeth, the house already has her and the family right where it wants it at this point. I generally don't like "kid" actors, and you'll find no one more annoying than the little brat in this film. Apparently, he was in quite a few television series and movies during the 70's. By far, the creepiest character in the film is delivered to us through a series of Ben Rolf's dreams (although Aunt Elizabeth appears to see him too at one point). This character, as I'm sure fans of the film will agree, is the smiley hearse driver, who--without uttering a syllable--makes a lasting impression. Oh, that confounded smile! So wicked! And still unmatched. He's presented to us through black and white imagery mostly, but each time he's on screen, the film chimes with excitement. You won't forget his smile, or the intention behind it.
The film score is worth mentioning, too. Although the main title music is predictable, I enjoyed the music box score. It had an eerie quality to it that added greatly to the tension. By the way, at the film's end, when the camera pans across the table of photos, you'll notice that all the photographs have one thing in common--none of them are smiling. Yet that compulsively wicked hearse driver smiles and smiles. It's never explained why, and perhaps this is the best reason of all to like this film.
Movie Review: Help! My house is trying to kill me!
Summary: 4 Stars
The 70s sure had its fair share of true horror gems. Phantasm, Omen, and Burnt Offerings. This little number made in 1976 is guaranteed to make you sleep with the lights on! Having only seen bits and parts over the years, I took a chance and bought this one. On first view, it's enough to make you stay home during the summer! What would compel a family to rent a dilapidated old wreck of a house for only 900$? No one seems to question this amount given the size of the place and the creepy siblings who have added their old mother to the mix. It looks ready for the wrecking ball but Karen Black (Marian) is soon won over by it's supposedly quaint charm and begs her unsuspecting husband Ben (Oliver Reed whose talent isn't wasted here) to let them stay for the summer. Big mistake! Soon with their son and Ben's aunt (played by the impeccable Bette Davis) in tow, they take up residence in the charming house with Marian taking on the responsibility of caring for the old woman upstairs, who by the way, never opens the door! Well, this had to go somewhere didn't it? Strange things start happening, starting with Ben's near murder of his son in the swimming pool. Then Ben's aunt starts aging at a frightful rate. Arriving full of zeal and surprisingly agile for a woman her age, Bette Davis over the course of a few days is reduced to a tired, graying, exhausted heap of a woman who can barely crawl up the stairs. Soon, Marian displays disturbing behavior. She becomes obsessed with the old woman's music box and collection of "relatives" displayed in ornate frames on a table. She rebuffs her husband's advances and soon becomes cold and distant. Ben starts to realize there's something wrong in Kansas and wants to leave, but Marian refuses. Soon, their son is nearly killed by a gas leak and Marian accuses Elizabeth. Things start spiraling out of control with Elizabeth's untimely and mysterious death. Marian doesn't even attend the funeral! Ben is haunted by his mother's death and a sinister chauffeur whose presence isn't really understood. Perhaps he's a symbol of some kind. Whatever it is, it is enough to start driving Ben out of his mind and when he sees the house rebuilding itself, tries to escape with his son, but Marian stops them as well as a few tree branches! Later, the house has Ben's mind trapped while it tries to kill his son in the swimming pool. He can only watch helplessly and Marian is temporarily brought out of her stupor by a mother's love for her son. But sadly, it isn't enough and the house isn't willing to let them go all that easily. In one of the most horrifying endings, the house takes what is has wanted all along and is restored to its formal glory. Hence the title of Burnt Offerings is finally understood..a sacrifice...an offering of unsuspecting souls so it could come back to life. Utterly chilling!