The Manitou (1978)

The Manitou (1978)
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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 CurtisMichael Ansara, (more)
Director(s):
William Girdler
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Manitou

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

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
104 mins

Complete Cast of The Manitou


Director(s):
William Girdler
Writer(s):
Jon CedarThomas PopeWilliam Girdler
Producer(s):
William GirdlerMelvin Simon
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG(Brief Nudity, Graphic Violence, Violence, Questionable for Children)
Categories:
Horror
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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

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