The Watcher in the Woods
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Movie Reviews of The Watcher in the Woods
Movie Review: Not your typical Disney flick!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've loved this movie ever since I saw its first release back in the early 1980s! It is, to me, the perfect type of horror flick. It is genuinely creepy without the overdose of profanity, blood, guts and gore so typical of today's genre films. The creepy atmosphere of the film's location adds much to the suspense of the film. I would not spend one moment in the house in which they reside.
What I like about the film is the despair that Bette Davis' character feels after losing her daughter without a trace some 25 years earlier. This is not just a horror flick, but a mystery film as well; every moment Ms. Davis is on screen her sadness is conveyed with skill. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, but in this film's case she was not even afforded the simple knowledge of knowing what led to her daughter Karen's disappearance. Actually, I like all of the performances in this film, although I think a few of the scenes feel a bit forced.
Another aspect that is quite effective are the use of wide angle lens whenever the "watcher" is present. All in all, each of the film's elements including the sound and special effects add immensely to the creep-out factor of this movie. I noticed some of the other reviewers here feel the ending was a bit of a letdown. I totally disagree! The hairs on my arms stand up every time I see the film's climax. I actually get goosebumps watching the final moments.
This is the kind of horror film that I like best (much like George C. Scott's 'The Changeling,' also released around the same time). 'Watcher in the Woods' is creepy and scary, yet not to the point that I wouldn't be able to sleep afterwards. This may not sound like a compliment (but it is), this is a great (safe) horror flick! It can be enjoyed by young teens and adults as well. It is on my list of my very favorite of films; I strongly recommend it!
Movie Review: Good Suspenseful Disney Flick
Summary: 5 Stars
John Hough of the "Witch Mountain" movies directs the other Richards sister, Kyle, in this short but suspenseful 1 hr 22 minute movie. For a Disney flick, there are a couple of "jump out of your seat" moments.
Bette Davis is formidable as usual and Lynn-Holly Johnson does a great job, but it's Kyle Richards who essentially steals the show, sublimely transitioning from innocent little sister to taking on another voice. If you notice the timing of the movie, it came out shortly after the Exorcist and the Shining. Therefore, there are few elements in Watcher in the Woods that pays a bit of homage to these flicks like writing backwards on mirrors. Of course, Hough had to keep the spook factor to a family-friendly minimum. Other highlights of this movie, is the camera angle used to enhance the effect of the main characters being "watched".
This is, by far, Disney's edgiest film. Yet, it's still clean enough to be family entertainment. Unlike the "Witch Mountain" films, "Watcher" has few special effects but are nonethelesss key to the story and the suspense.
The DVD doesn't offer any behind-the-scenes commentaries, but it does offer two alternate endings which are not too different from each other. They are somewhat hokey and seem to take away from the suspenseful and mysterious tone of the film. The ending that was chosen for the film is much better suited: simple, surprising and very effective.
A short film with a neat story.
Movie Review: Terrific film with a lot of spook and some great acting
Summary: 5 Stars
I love Bette Davis. When I stumbled upon The Watcher in the Woods while searching for her classic titles on Amazon, I knew I had to see it. I was a kid when this flick hit movie theaters in 1981, but don't remember a thing about it - and my Mother doesn't remember it, either. We were stunned at just how good it is. Subtle, spooky, with great acting and fitting music, The Watcher in the Woods relies on plot to drive viewers to the end - not blood and gore.
The film is subtly suspenseful, but not suspenseful in the nail-biting sense many expect today. The movie is kid-friendly. You cannot miss a moment, otherwise you might miss an interesting or important detail in the ghostly hauntings of the English manor where a young girl disappeared years ago.
The DVD offers two alternate endings. It's a good thing Disney went with the ending it did. These tried to tap into the market for Alien (The Director's Cut), which came out in 1979, according to IMDB. They are interesting to watch, but definitely would have taken away from the subtle nuances of everything the director built throughout the first 80+ minutes.
If you appreciate subtle suspense, and enjoy spooky, kid-friendly films that leave out all the silly gore and semi-nudity, give this movie a shot.
Movie Review: Still scared of the woods
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie as a child terrified me. I decided to watch it again a couple of years ago. It's amazing what I imagined the movie was as a child. I had my brother who was eight watch it with me. He was terrified and began to cry.We kept wondering what was up with that girl who was blind folded. Seeing that girl in the mirror and Betty Davis eyebrows still freak me out. The only thing that was off was the ending. What a disapointment, however the rest is bone chilling. All through the movie me and my brother asked did Betty Davis kill the girl? Any way it's worth watching, and is way to scary to be only rated G. It might be to scary for children under eight.Movie Review: Reliving childhood memories with daughter
Summary: 5 Stars
I used to watch The Watcher in the Woods when I was little and it scared me so much. I have a daughter who loves stories and when I can't come up with one using my own imagination I resort to telling her old movies that I used to love as a child. We have had to buy all of them so far. So this is why I purchase The Watcher in the Woods for us. It was great to get to watch it with my daughter. She got scared too. The special features are cool. The ending that the movie has is the best one. I also bought a copy of this for my cousin, who is several years older then me, for her bithday. She was speechless and so happy to get such a gift.