The Manitou (1978) Reviews

The Manitou (1978)
Member Rating:  
Low-budget horror director William Girdler's last film stars Susan Strasberg as Karen Tandy, a San Francisco woman who develops a strange growth on her neck. After an operation fails because the doctor is forced to cut his own hand, Karen seeks out an Indian shaman (Michael Ansara), who tells her that the thing on her neck is the fetus of a reincarnated witch doctor. Eventually, Karen goes to the hospital and gives "birth" to a silly-looking creature played by Cousin Itt himself, Felix Silla. It runs amok in the building until boyfriend Tony Curtis figures out that his love for Karen can boost the hospital's electrical supply to zap the pesky beast. Generally acknowledged as one of the silliest horror films ever made, The Manitou should please camp buffs more than serious fans. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

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Starring:
Tony Curtis, Michael Ansara, (more)
Director(s):
William Girdler
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(8 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Chris W.

It's got originality, I'll give it that. Kept me entertained to, but I wouldn't say this is all that great of a flick. I thought the little new born dood was kinda lame, but at the same time very funny. Give it a rent.

Yes   |   No


Jerry C.

I thought it was very good! The special effects were awesome for it's time, too... the head rising up out of the table was great! The ending was a bit weak, at least effect wise, but not bad enough to trash the movie. BTW, I had really looked forward to seeing it when it was first released on VHS tape, being as I greatly enjoyed the novel by Graham Masterton.

Yes   |   No


Gary G.

I get blasted from friends of mine for liking this film and I've seen just about every film out there (I'm a movie buff and have about a thousand or so movies at home). Although the third act is totally absurd and Tony Curtis does an over the top performance, the "Idea" of the movie (for it's time) was intriguing and down right creepy. The thought of a fetus growing on the back of someones neck alone is scary, but what would happen if it was powerful enough to influence the outside world as well? "No thank-you doctor, I don't wish you to "abort" me...just cut your own arm instead". Powerful mojo. This film does self destruct at the end but the first two acts and the idea alone make it much more watchable than some of the dreck that's out there today (Have you seen "A Sound Of Thunder??? yeash!" I would love to see a remake out of this where they changed the last act...it could be very very frightening! T.G. Massillon, Ohio

Yes   |   No


Rachel A.

ya this is an old time favorite of mine my dad took me to go see it when i was young we like all kinds of old horror and b-movies but it was very scary back than in the drive-ins, gots to love them old movies......

Yes   |   No


Glen B.

If you can find the book somewhere it's a Great Read and its not a slow read. I read it and went to see it when the movie . came out and I was happy to see they didn't stray from the book. It will hold you there till the end. And the conciept is all in what you beleive it to be...

Yes   |   No


David D.

I had high hopes for this movie based on some Internet reviews I'd read. Sounded like a great premise for a "so bad it's hilarious" movie. Unfortunately although it is extremely ridiculous and has a few good laughs, it can't sustain that energy through some very long, talky, exposition scenes in the middle. Yes, the finale is a real treat, but some of the magic was spoiled for me by having read about it beforehand. Best if viewed completely cold.

Yes   |   No


John H.

This movie freaked me out when I first saw it (I was 8 years old). So I was excited to find it on DVD and have a chance to "re-live my childhood." What I found myself doing was just skipping to the "scary" scenes that I remembered: the doctor cutting his own hand, the head coming out of the table etc. Anyway, the movie has not stood the test of time so well. If you have NOTHING else to do, then rent it . . .

Yes   |   No


Suanne G.

It was pretty lame. It was a good story, but the special effects were pretty much just some LSD inspired colors swirling around. The book was good. Don't bother renting the moview

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (8)
     
    Chris W.

    It's got originality, I'll give it that. Kept me entertained to, but I wouldn't say this is all that great of a flick. I thought the little new born dood was kinda lame, but at the same time very funny. Give it a rent.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jerry C.

    I thought it was very good! The special effects were awesome for it's time, too... the head rising up out of the table was great! The ending was a bit weak, at least effect wise, but not bad enough to trash the movie. BTW, I had really looked forward to seeing it when it was first released on VHS tape, being as I greatly enjoyed the novel by Graham Masterton.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Gary G.

    I get blasted from friends of mine for liking this film and I've seen just about every film out there (I'm a movie buff and have about a thousand or so movies at home). Although the third act is totally absurd and Tony Curtis does an over the top performance, the "Idea" of the movie (for it's time) was intriguing and down right creepy. The thought of a fetus growing on the back of someones neck alone is scary, but what would happen if it was powerful enough to influence the outside world as well? "No thank-you doctor, I don't wish you to "abort" me...just cut your own arm instead". Powerful mojo. This film does self destruct at the end but the first two acts and the idea alone make it much more watchable than some of the dreck that's out there today (Have you seen "A Sound Of Thunder??? yeash!" I would love to see a remake out of this where they changed the last act...it could be very very frightening! T.G. Massillon, Ohio

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 8 Reviews
       

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