David Seltzer's original story is not very brilliantly filmed by Donner - Stuart Baird's editing is a distinct plus. Also it seems to wander around the world too much, rather unsatisfactorily.
Gregory Peck and Lee Remick raise devil's child Harvey Stephens, protected by evil guardian Billie Whitelaw. David Warner and Patrick Troughton try to help, but lose their heads.
I think the trick they missed is leaving the boy almost without dialogue whereas the tactic from The Innocents - children saying sinister things - would have perhaps provided some more scares. Well, some scares. It's not a scary movie.
I wish I'd tried that tactic to get out of going to Church.
I daresay it made a shit load of money.
No comments:
Post a Comment