The Changeling (1980)

Synopsis of The Changeling

Peter Medak's The Changeling is among a handful of films, including The Haunting (1963), Ghost Story (1981), and Lady in White (1988), that have successfully recreated the intimate, drawing-room atmosphere of supernatural horror fiction. After his wife and daughter are killed in a snowbound car accident, classical composer John Russell (George C. Scott) relocates from New York to Seattle to teach at his alma mater. Looking for a quiet place to rest and continue writing music, he is referred Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere) at the Seattle Historical Preservation Society. Claire shows John a large, sparsely furnished estate in the outlying countryside. He takes the house, appreciating its remoteness and the solitude it might afford, and diverts himself by renovating and settling in. He even starts to compose, putting aside his older work in favor of a new, sentimental piece for the piano. It is not long, however, before he begins having nightmares about the accident that killed his wife and daughter. Possibly because of this trauma, he is open to communications from the house's ghostly occupants. Pursuing a loud, repetitive pounding noise in an upper room, he stumbles on the apparition of a young boy drowning in a tub. Working together with Claire, John discovers frightening parallels between this vision and buried events from the house's past. Horror writer M.R. James once said that his goal as a writer was to make the reader feel "pleasantly uncomfortable." Those looking for a similar experience in movies will appreciate The Changeling as a gem in the horror genre. ~ Anthony Reed, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

115 mins

Director(s):

Peter Medak

Writer(s):

William Gray, Diana Maddox

Producer(s):

Joel B. Michaels, Garth H. Drabinsky

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Adult Situations, Violence)

Categories:

Mystery & Suspense

• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Picture
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Actress - Foreign
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Sound Editing
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Art Direction
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Actor - Foreign
• 1981 - Genie Awards - Golden Reel Award
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Adapted Screenplay
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Adapted Screenplay
• 1981 - Genie Awards - Golden Reel Award
• 1980 - Genie Awards - Best Cinematography

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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