Ghost stories should be considered a genre all their own. They can be so very different from slasher films, monster movies, psychological thrillers, splatterfests, and others. They can also be all of these horror subgenres at once. They can be commercial epics like POLTERGEIST or contemplative and suggestive like THE SHINING. They can be completely bloodless and without a single onscreen death like INSIDIOUS or graphic and violent as in THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. And they can be campy or serious, targeted for kids as well as adults. Ghost stories are certainly among the most versatile film subgenres in existence as well as a long standing horror cinema tradition.
The 1980 horror film, THE CHANGELING, stars screen legend George C. Scott (PATTON) as a man grieving after the tragic loss of his wife and daughter. Directed by Peter Medak (SPECIES II), The Changeling is one frightening and effective ghost story, among the greatest of such films as well as being an extremely underrated film. Don't expect a campy cliched horror film. All the cast and crew appear to have taken the film very seriously, giving all of their great talents to realize the story on screen.
Based on a true story, The Changeling showcases real human evil as well as supernatural scares still effective to this day.
THE PLOT
John Russell just lost his wife and daughter in a tragic car accident. Working through his grief, John uproots himself from his New York home, moving across the country to Seattle to teach. Without a place to live as of yet, John's friends set him up with an old low rent house courtesy of the local Historical Society. One morning John is awakened by a thunderous pounding echoing through the house. One night several faucets all throughout the house mysteriously start running. Later he witnesses his deceased daughter's ball roll down the stairs. The phenomena continue and John seeks out the aid of a medium who tells him of the restless spirit haunting the house. John feels it's trying to communicate with him and tries to help the spirit find peace. The ghost leads John on a trail on murder and horror, revealing the darkest evil inside humanity.
WHAT I LIKED
Formal Horror. The Changeling is a serious adult horror film. Director Peter Medak constructs the film in a formal and classical style. There are no gimmicks in this film, no wild special effects, or spectacular imagery. Everything in the film is played realistically, the horror of the subject matter on full display. The camerawork, storytelling, and acting are all very controlled. Even the film score is a classical piano piece, hauntingly beautiful and melancholic. The entire composition of the film lends a timeless quality to it. It's a film that feels both modern and vintage as if it were made today or back in the 1930's or 50's.
Raw Emotion. George C. Scott plays a man who's experienced tremendous loss. Seeing the tough and manly actor who portrayed Patton so vulnerable and exposed (emotionally) is powerful and striking. Together with the music and the straight forward directing, the film is heavy with sadness and brutal reality. The gravity of the protagonist's ordeal is palpable, and the weight of the film only grows with the introduction of the supernatural.
Atmosphere. With George C. Scott carrying an air of sorrow with him like a cloud, reinforced by the moody film score, the tragic atmosphere is thick. Adding to this is a great set and location for the haunted house. This atmosphere sets the stage perfectly for the supernatural elements to enter. And once the phenomena begins the tension ramps up. The seance sequence is one of the most tense and unnerving seances ever filmed, again setup beautifully by the atmosphere. All in all it expertly sets up the suspense.
NITPICKS
Too Much Sound Design. The score by Rick Wilkins is eerie and wonderful. The sound effects are creepy and skin crawling. And when used appropriately the overall sound design of this film is very effective. But it feels as if the sound designer needed to fill every moment with sound. There are many moments where, while watching, I felt the scene would've been far more effective with well spaced moments of silence. Some of the suspense was lessened by too much scoring. Just my thoughts, and remember I'm not a filmmaker so I really have no leg to stand on here. I just felt there were moments that were overdone with scoring where silence would've worked in favor of the film more. Other than that this movie is amazing.
THE VERDICT
The Changeling is one of the scariest ghost stories ever filmed. Creepy, tense, and atmospheric, the film is heavy with emotion and gravitas equal to the devastating subject matter. George C. Scott displays a wide range of emotion and vulnerability. Deftly crafted atmosphere sets the stage for moments of frightening tension and suspense. Peter Medak delivers a serious and adult horror film, both timeless and classic simultaneously. As far as haunted house films and ghost stories are concerned, The Changeling is one of the best.
Overall Ranking: 9 out of 10
Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10
For more haunted house/ghost story films check out these others below
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