The Amityville Horror (film series)

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (15)

D: Stuart Rosenberg

AIP/Cinema 77 (Ronald Saland & Elliot Geisinger)

USA 🇺🇸 1979

118 mins

Horror

W: Sandor Stern [based on the book by Jay Anson]

DP: Fred J. Koenecamp

Ed: Robert Brown

Mus: Lalo Schifrin

Josh Brolin (George Lutz), Margot Kidder (Kathleen Lutz), Rod Steiger (Father Delaney), Don Stroud (Father Bolen), Murray Hamilton (Father Ryan)

When The Amityville Horror was originally released, there was much mystery surrounding the book it was based upon, supposedly about factual events which may or may not have happened at the Long Island house in the 1970's.

Newlywed couple George & Kathy moved into the property with their two young children and dog and over their short stay experienced strange manifestations of evil which drove them away. Unfortunately, the power of the film is lessened by the admission that the Lutzes fabricated the entire story to avoid bankruptcy due to the mortgage of the house being unaffordable to them.

Still, the film has moments of genuine terror, punctuated by Lalo Schifrin's deliciously eerie music. Rod Steiger's ridiculously over the top performance, however, injects some unintentional comedy (as do some other supporting performances), whilst the house itself remains a creepy landmark of horror cinema.

Many more movies followed (well into double figures), including sequels, prequels, television movies, spinoffs and remakes. All of which are quite poor.

6/10

James Brolin & Margot Kidder in The Amityville Horror

Did You Know:

Due to all the unwanted fame the book and film had brought upon the real house in Amityville, the current owners have replaced the "evil eyes" windows with normal rectangle-shaped windows.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: 1 (Best Original Dramatic Score)

Nominations: none

Worst of the Year: 1 win (Worst Supporting Actor); 1 nomination (Worst Supporting Actress)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 1 (Best Original Score)

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

none

AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION (18)

D: Damiano Damiani

Dino de Laurentiis/Orion (Ira N. Smith & Stephen R. Greenwald)

USA 🇺🇸 1982

104 mins

Horror

W: Tommy Lee Wallace [based on the book 'Murder In Amityville' by Hans Holzer]

DP: Franco DiGiacomo

Ed: Sam O'Steen

Mus: Lalo Schifrin

Burt Young (Anthony Montelli), Rutyana Alda (Dolores Montelli), Jack Magner (Sonny Montelli), Diane Franklin (Patricia Montelli), James Olson (Father Frank Adamsky)

It's almost unbelievable that this second installment of the Amityville movies has more basis in fact than it's predecessor.

This prequel follows the events which led up to the Amityville house becoming 'haunted', when a young man slaughtered his family as they slept and then blamed it on demonic possession.

It's easy to see which parts are exaggerated and the dialogue and performances are rather embarrassing, but as far as sequels/prequels go, it certainly isn't atrociously bad, especially when compared to those which followed.

4/10

Did You Know:

The house in the film, as in the original The Amityville Horror (1979) movie, is not the actual house as depicted in the best-selling novel, as that dwelling was unavailable to shoot in for both films. The home in both movies was a Colonial style replica situated in Toms River, New Jersey.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

Worst of the Year: 1 win (Worst Supporting Actress); 5 nominations (Worst Actor; Worst Supporting Actor; Worst Screenplay - Adaptation; Worst Remake/Sequel, Worst Makeup)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

none

AMITYVILLE DOLLHOUSE (18)

D: Steve White

Promark/Spectacor/Zeta (Zane W. Levitt, Mark Yellen & Steve White)

USA 🇺🇸 1996

93 mins

Horror

W: Joshua Michael Stern

DP: Tom Callaway

Ed: Kert Vandermuelen

Mus: Ray Colcord

Robin Thomas (Bill Martin), Starr Andreeff (Claire Martin), Allen Cutler (Todd Martin), Rachel Duncan (Jessica Martin), Franc Ross (Tobias), Lisa Robin Kelly (Dana)

The seventh film of the series sees the evil curse from the Amityville house manifest itself in a child's dollhouse.

It's best not to think of why someone would even build a dollhouse replica of a supposedly haunted Long Island house, nevermind how it became filled with evil spirits. The screenwriters and director never gave it a second thought and neither should the audience.

2/10

Did You Know:

This is the eighth film in the Amityville Horror series.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

Worst of the Year: 2 (Worst Excuse for a Horror; Worst Sequel/Prequel); 3 nominations (Worst Film; Worst Director; Worst Screenplay - Adaptation)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: none

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

none

Reviews Coming Soon:

AMITYVILLE 3-D

AMITYVILLE: THE EVIL ESCAPES

THE AMITYVILLE CURSE

AMITYVILLE 1992: IT'S ABOUT TIME

AMITYVILLE: A NEW GENERATION