Poltergeist (1982) User Reviews

"They're heeeere!"

[PredragReviews · 7/10 · 21 January 2017]

Sometimes to judge a film fairly you really need to consider the time at which it was made and what film-making technology existed at that time. This was the first big budget film to really tackle the subject of paranormal investigation, and at the time it was made it was seamless and sleek. It would be easy for people today to put it down for some of the early 1980's effects, but let's flip this perspective around and consider that no CGI what-so-ever was used. But at the same time, "Poltergeist" has a strangely family-friendly vibe. It was directed by Tobe Hooper, but it has the unmistakable fingerprints of producer/writer Steven Spielberg all over it. It focuses on an ordinary, harmless suburban family living their usual lives (their biggest problem is the death of a pet bird), which is suddenly thrown into chaos by outside forces. And unlike most horror movies, there isn't even a lot of violence... well, except for one grotesque hallucination.

Don't expect the usual gore and typical shocks you see in all modern horror films these days, Poltergeist is not about that. With all of the elements of visual effects, sound, acting, directing (Tobe Hooper) and writers (Steven Spielberg) this is one film that achieves everything you want to see in a motion picture. Anyway, Jo Beth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are great in this film. They have real chemistry. You believe they love each other and are a team. The kids are pretty great, too. It's actually quite a thoughtful movie and even has an odd warmth to it. Though there are a few scary moments. The final fifteen minutes are played out to such effect, that one could call it pure horror.

Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

One of the best horror/thrillers of the decade

[gregsrants · 8/10 · 3 March 2004]

In 1982, Steven Spielberg pulled off an incredible feat. In June of that year, Spielberg released two films only weeks apart that were both highly successful yet diversely different in both subject matter and their target audiences. One went on to become the highest grossing film of all-time (E.T.), the other spawned a franchise (Poltergeist).

Poltergeist had a screen credit of being directed by Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), but history has revealed that it was Spielberg's vision, editing and overall command of the shooting that was really behind the making of this extraordinary film. Poltergeist brought back the traditional haunted house genre that lay dormant and restless since The Amityville Horror in 1979. The story surrounds a family's house that has been punctured by the spirit world that seem keen on the youngest daughter of the clan – Carol Ann Freeling, played by newcomer Heather O'Rourke. At first, the family meets the strange happenings in the home with playful pleasure, but in an instant the poltergeists intentions turn against the Freelings, and their daughter is captured and taken back to the supernatural world where communication is possible only through the bedroom television.

The Freelings waste little time and soon contact a paranormal group, well over their heads, to help them rescue their daughter from the unseen captures. It becomes clearly evident however, that the group is over matched, and they call in a poltergeist expert, Tangina Barrons (played with relative enthusiasm and wit by Zelda Rubinstein) to assist with the phenomena. Tangina then leads the Freelings through the unknown, both calming their fears and eventually finding a portal that may be the key to retrieving their daughter.

Poltergeist works as both a horror and a thriller. The cast, lead by O'Rourke, Jo-Beth Williams, Craig T. Nelson and Oliver Robins have real chemistry and are believable as a family unit, and unlike most horror films, they make sound judgments and know their limitations. When Carol Ann's bedroom becomes overtaken by the ghostly spirits, they lock the room and keep away rather than trying to fight something they cannot contain. And when things begin to look bleak, they call for help and look for experts in the field. This is an intelligent horror that doesn't have people running up the stairs when they should be running out the door.

Put together with a modest budget of less than $12 million, Poltergeist stretched it's dollars to provide us with an incredible array of special effects that still hold up well after 20 years of viewing. Sure, the scene where a scientist literally pulls his face off or when the bedroom is opened and we see items flying at random as if in a ghostly tornado, might be better served with CGI if made today, the effects still keep the story progressing with a sense of credibility.

Probably what keeps things so rooted in acceptability is how simplistic some of the special effects were in the larger scenes. A closet full of strobe lights are all that is required to convince us that it is a portal to another world and a fan gently blowing the hair of mother Williams' is believable as the spirit of her child flying past her. Simple plausible.

Whatever the reasons, Poltergeist works. One of the few screenplays written by Spielberg from one of his own stories, Poltergeist has all the elements that we now associate with the master director. There is a strong family unit, a child as the central character, above average production values and most notably, not one fatality in the entire film despite all the jilts and jolts. The closing scenes of chaos including a pool of skeletons (later revealed to be authentic), is pure movie magic with frantic pacing and edge of your seat suspense.

Since it's release, a lot has been made of the back stories and the curse surrounding the production of the franchise. Heather O'Rourke tragically died at a young age due to an internal infection and Dominique Dunne (who played a smaller role as her sister) was murdered the same year as the films release. The subsequent sequels have also included characters that died shortly after their films completion. Truth or fiction, lore or legend, these stories add to the mystique and mystery surrounding the film. Having knowledge of the ‘curse' makes it even scarier and gives it kind of a feeling like Naomi Watts' character must have experienced in The Ring, as if just by watching, you are contributing to the ongoing haunting.

Like most movies successful in the late 70's early 80's, there were sequels that were made with considerably higher budgets but less than stellar results (Superman III anyone?). Neither of the Poltergeist sequels or subsequent television programming could come close to capturing the essence of the original. Besides, how can you top what is now one of the most famous movie tag-lines of all time `They'rrreeee Here'?

Strong recommendation.

This scared me to death at age 24

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 20 June 2021]

I left the lights on the night I saw it. Because this does not take place in some classic looking haunted house, with some scary mythology attached to it. This happens in a modern house in a typical suburb. It looked like a house in my neighborhood. That nobody could afford to own at the time because of 18% interest rates in 1982, but that's another story.

It involves a typical family. The wife is a homemaker. The husband sells new houses in the same neighborhood that the family lives in. It must have been a slow work day for him because who could have afforded these houses in 1982 with 18% interest rates? But I digress. There is a teen daughter from some unmentioned first marriage because she only looks 15 years younger or so than Jo Beth Williams who plays the mother. There are two kids age 7 and 6 that belong to the second wife. The youngest, Carol Ann, was born in the house.

So the horror starts with harmless stuff like the kitchen chairs rearranging themselves when you're not looking but escalates quickly. And the movie tag line "It knows what scares you" turns out to be so true. Remember when you were a kid. What scared you? Lightning storms? Big leafless trees that looked like some kind of being with lots of arms? Clown dolls with macabre smiles? It all plays into it.

Stephen Spielberg "ghost" directed this one. You could always tell by the preponderance of wind machines and seemingly meaningless close ups - hallmarks of 80s Spielberg.

The one thing that really dates this - The poltergeist originally gets into the house when the husband falls asleep in front of the TV late at night, the Star Spangled Banner plays, the channel signs off, and then there is no signal. Cue the poltergeist. Today, channels never sign off. There is always some infomercial, with the set dressed like the old CNN Larry King Live show to add credibility, yelling at you how you can have product X for only 19.99 a month. The poor poltergeists of today are trapped listening to this nonsense, waiting for a chance to escape that will never come! Oh the humanity.

It doesn't hit me like it did when it first came out, but it is still good enough with a very shocking ending that it is still worth a a look.

They're Here.

[tfrizzell · 15 March 2002]

Truly spooky and disturbing horror film from the early-1980s that will make you jump from your seat. Craig T. Nelson and JoBeth Williams seem to lead a normal life. He is a successful real estate agent and she is a loving housewife. They have three beautiful children, but one night all that slowly changes. The youngest child (Heather O'Rourke) starts talking to unseen spirits through a scrambled television station. The parents don't think much of it, until furniture starts to move on its own. However, the real terror does not start until O'Rourke is taken to another dimension by "the TV people". Now paranormalists led by Beatrice Straight must come in and try to get O'Rourke back to her family. Tobe Hooper, who is best known for the highly over-rated "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", does an admirable job here with the film's direction. However, it is rumored that Steven Spielberg came in during his "E.T" days and did the bulk of the work. This makes more sense as the film is really frightening and disturbing. The special effects are also impressive and "Poltergeist" ends up being one of those films that just sticks with you for a long time after you first see it. 4 stars out of 5.

Ghost train ride put on film

[Leofwine_draca · 10/10 · 16 May 2013]

The Spielberg-produced haunted house horror POLTERGEIST is one of those perennial favourites, one of those classic 1980s films that survives down the years, my appreciation growing as each decade passes. It's one of those films I saw and loved as a kid, although I found it very frightening; THAT bathroom scene has to go down in history as one of the most purely disgusting ever put on screen. It's highly stylised, and Hollywoodised with it; if you're looking for something more realistic and disturbing, go check out THE ENTITY instead. This one's all about the spectacle, a fairground ghost train ride put on film.

Elsewise, POLTERGEIST works very efficiency. There's the slow, creepy build-up, kept realistic and almost-believable, especially the effective stuff with the sliding chairs; intrigue builds upon intrigue, with some nice comic relief inbetween, and then everything lets rip for the pyrotechnic shriek-show in the second half. This latter stage is a masterwork of special effects technology, from miniatures to superimposed imagery and prosthetic effects work; I don't usually care for films that rely on FX too heavily but I'll make an exception for this one.

And what a cast, too! Heather O'Rourke must be the epitome of the innocent young American girl caught up in a world of evil, and both Nelson and Williams excel as the exasperated parents who gradually become more deranged as the tale progresses. Of course, Zela Rubenstein's scene-stealing medium is remembered for a reason, and there's a nice little cameo for RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD's James Karen, too. Come the ending, with those graves popping out of the ground, well just wow: this truly is a great little film, that stands proud among the rest of the classics of the '80s.

Now THIS is a horror movie!!

[SmileysWorld · 8/10 · 6 October 2001]

There are two types of "horror" films:There are the scary ones, which is what the word "horror" means in the first place,and then there is the bloody,gory kind.Perhaps the latter kind should be categorized under another name.At any rate,Poltergeist is a good horror film.It goes beyond the idea of typical ghosts in sheets jumping out of nowhere and saying "boo!".Most of the adventure takes place in their world rather than ours,although we cannot see what is going on there.This is a very thrilling movie.It has great special effects and all of the scare elements that make a horror film what it is supposed to be.The clown in the chair at the foot of the boy's bed was a particularly tense moment for me.This is the only movie I went to see 4 times at the theater,partly to watch others' reactions.I have often heard that the film,and it's two sequels,were the victim of some type of curse,as after each film was released,a member of the cast passed away,including Heather O'Rourke,who played Carol Anne, after the 3rd film.She was only 10.Curse? Coincidence? Who knows? I guess anything is possible.All in all,this is one of the best films ever for the horror genre.

One of the best horror films of all time.

[TruPretender · 10/10 · 2 February 2005]

What do you get when you put Steven Spielberg, Tobe Hooper, Jerry Goldsmith, and Beatrice Straight in a big budget MGM motion picture about a haunted house? You get "Poltergeist" a top of the pick, no holds barred, roller coaster ride through the supernatural world and back to ours. "Poltergeist" explores the side affects of a haunted house and it's effects on a normal suburban family who inhabits the house.

Steve Freeling is a successful realestate agent who has a nice house and a loving wife, with a family to die for. There is the spunky, rebellious eldest daughter, as portrayed gloriously by the late Dominique Dunne, may she rest in peace. The sporty young son, and the cute, innocent youngest daughter, Carol Ann, of whom the story is based around. The Freelings' are a happy American family whose lives are turned upside down when they realize their house in 'haunted' and the 'poltergeists' kidnap the youngest member of the family. In the film that pursues, Steve and his wife Diane do everything in their power to get her back, with the aid of Dr. Lesh, played out Oscar worthy by Beatrice Straight, and her assistants. Horrors and traumas ensue.

Enough power to knock you out of your dreams for long time, this film, was said to be directed by Tobe Hooper, whom had previous fame with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But when one watches this film, it is anything but Hooper. Hooper's trademarks include hysteria and screaming by a young female in the finale of his films(remember 'Eaten Alive?') and have no real substance or depth in their plots, what you see is what you get. Whereas this film, said to be produced by Spielberg, was so obviously directed(on the side anyway)by also, as his trade marks include psychological P.O.V. shots(Diane Freeling in the hallway scene) and wide range of character development(all characters except for Dana are developed to fruition, but Dunne does such a great job as Dana that you can't really tell.)There was even controversy over who directed the film, and still stands so today, although Spielberg came forward a little after the film was released, and exposed himself as only producer and assistant to the director, still, rumor is still hovering over the memory of the production.

The music to the film is superb, with Goldsmith clearly at one of his best moments, nominated but did not win, although he should have. His theme for the Freelings' is a calm, gentle one that compliments his theme for Carol Ann, which is quite possibly one of the prettiest themes he ever concocted. His score for the ghosts consists of structured, spiritual themes and rough orchestral brass woodwind, accompanied by a grand chorus. All other themes he came up with were just as stand out-ish as the above mentioned.

The acting is top notch, by conflicted Steve Freeling, who is so confused he self destructs into a pale maelstrom in his mind, and Diane, the mother and star of the film, Jobeth Williams is at her finest as she deals with the stress of trying to find her daughter, and keeping her family afloat amidst the chaos. The children are all really good under Hooper's(Spielberg's?) direction, particularly Dominique Dunne, who shines through in all scenes she is in, even though her character has got to be the most underdeveloped! Robbie is fun to watch, as all little boys will be boys. And who could forget the cute Carol-Ann...They're Heeeeere! Enough said. But my personal favorite was the late Beatrice Straight, as the sympathetic Dr. Lesh, who with every facial expression, the audience can see what exactly she is thinking, about to say, and still manages to surprise the audience with her spontaneous acting skill. The supporting cast are just as great.

Special effects make this even more of a thrill ride of the ages, as Industrial Light and Magic was first starting out, and makes this one of the biggest special effects fest of cinema. Nominations for those also.

So in full circle, this family, this film, the most extraordinary horror film of the eighties, still has the power to ring every chill out of it's script, while still managing to keep the audience calm with it's realism, and relief.

And about the curse that is said to follow the series' past, all just tragedies and coincidence.

May Dominique Dunne, Beatrice Straight, Heather O' Rourke, Jerry Goldsmith, all rest in peace.

10/10

Better than a 7.1

[tornado-10 · 10/10 · 25 October 1999]

Horror films often do not get their do, and the 7.1 rating for Poltergeist shows that this trend will most likely continue. Clearly an influential film by Chainsaw director Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist reached for, and achieved, everything that the earlier Amityville Horror failed to be; namely, scary, credible, and well acted.

Poltergeist, in a nutshell, is a story of suburban California family that discovers the darker side of the American Dream when their youngest daughter, Carol Ann, makes contact with evil spirits through the family television set. "They're here", never fails to send chills down my spine as I recall seeing this film for the first time as a teenager.

Perhaps 10 to 15 more years will finally lend the credibility to this film to finally place it among the classics in modern horror cinema.

Scary for its time.

[Fella_shibby · 7/10 · 3 July 2017]

Saw this in the mid 80s on a VHS. Found it to be really scary. Revisited it recently aft watching the remake. The remake was bad. This movies effects were really good for that time. It has diminished over the years but the movie still stands out as one of the best pg13 horror. Moving household items, flickering lights, sudden rain n thunder, ghost investigators coming to live at the house, people passing thru another dimension/ghost world were all the stuff which inspired future horror films. The creepy smiling clown n the big monster tree really added to the scary stuff. Kids will definitely enjoy this as it lacks the tension n violence. Don't let the names of Hooper n Spielberg fool u. Its not brutal or violent neither it is tame or mild. It does hav some creepy n scary stuff.

We know it as the beast.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 4 March 2008]

The Freeling family are happy and functioning perfectly well until one night their youngest daughter announces that thru the TV, the supernatural are here!

Poltergeist divides the horror crowd big time, the gore fans are simply not impressed by the events in the film, while ghostly supernatural fans such as myself see it as a wasted opportunity. But strip away the flashy production and you start to see the core joke of kids infatuation with the goggle box, so yes, the film could easily be titled under the banner of being a Black Comedy. But be that as it may, and lets not be under any illusions here that, Poltergeist is not a knowing wink wink horror film of substance, the film really could have been a truly terrifying piece of work to cater for all tastes, and I firmly believe that that was the main intention of the makers from the off.

Thus lies the chief problems with Poltergeist, it tries so hard to cover all bases it gets that confused to the point it veers from tedium to shock and back again before you have time to digest, and it kills what should have been a genre masterpiece. There are moments in the film that chill the blood, the sense of creeping menace hangs heavy during a storm, a toy clown becomes evil personified just by being lit in the stormy light, and then? Well it violently switches to something involving a tree that wouldn't be fit for Creepshow 27! On the film goes, suspense with chairs and pieces of meat, and then BAM...monster time! It just doesn't work, it's a collage of genre splicing that both director Tobe Hooper & producer Steven Spielberg are firmly to be held responsible for, because it's obvious that both their signature's clash to create an uneasy bedfellow.

Yet as uneven as it is, and as blatantly plagiarised as it is of Twilight Zone episode Little Girl Lost, I still find myself enjoying watching Poltergeist, with its slick production and some memorable moments; the clown, poor darling Heather O'Rourke saying "they're here", the first chair sequence, and the always creepy Mrs. Tuthill, all things that help to make it a frustratingly enjoyable nights viewing. 6/10

Just don't go into the light afterwards I guess...

A Classic of the Horror Genre

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 22 September 2015]

In the Cuesta Verde suburb, in California, the real state agent Steve Freeling (Craig T. Nelson) lives a comfortable life with his wife Diane (Jobeth Williams) and their children Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins) and Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke). Now Steve has decided to build a swimming pool for the family. One night, the Freelings witness Carol Anne talking to the static in their television set and telling that they are here. On the following days, the family witnesses weird events in their house and Carol Anne vanishes. Steve and Diane visit the parapsychologist Dr. Lesh (Beatrice Straight) from the university and she goes with her team to the Freelings' house. Soon she realizes that the family is living a poltergeist phenomenon. Further, Steve has a conversation with his chief Mr. Teague (James Karen) and learns that the community was built on a former cemetery. Will they be capable to retrieve Carol Anne from the demon that is holding the little girl?

"Poltergeist" is a horror movie written and produced by Steven Spielberg but directed by Tobe Hooper due to the contract of Spielberg of exclusivity while making "E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial" film. "Poltergeist" can be considered a classic of the horror genre, with an original story of haunted house. There are two sequels and one remake of this movie but none of them comparable to the original film. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Poltergeist: O Fenômeno" ("Poltergeist: The Phenomenon")

"Poltergeist" - Horror for middle-class America

[dee.reid · 10/10 · 17 October 2016]

"They're here," and they're ready to stay.

1982's "Poltergeist" is widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films of the last 35 years, and certainly one of the most popular and widely imitated. I've caught "Poltergeist" many times over the years, but I have never actually sat down and watched the whole thing in its entirety. It's a gripping film, with a great cast, great story, high production values, and great direction.

"Poltergeist" is one of those great cinematic collaborations that everyone dreams about: it was directed by horror veteran Tobe Hooper (of 1974's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"), but it was produced and co-written by Hollywood director Steven Spielberg ("Jaws," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Raiders of the Lost Ark"). I've read that there's been some debate over who was the true director here - Hooper or Spielberg - but there's no denying that the film bears the marks of both of its principal creators: Hooper's unique ability to shock the viewer and make people physically ill with what they're watching, and Spielberg's eye for human drama and ground-breaking special effects (courtesy of George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic - ILM).

"Poltergeist" involves an American middle-class suburban family's battle with malevolent spirits. But this film was like no other haunted-house movie before it. While films concerning themselves with evil spirits haunting human protagonists in isolated locations like large foreboding castles and mansions, or small cabins in the deep forest are all too common in the horror genre, "Poltergeist" brought that very same ghost story to middle-class America - forcing the film's protagonists (and the audience) to confront a supernatural horror right in their own homes. You can probably read all sorts of socio-political subtexts in this story - like the idea of how people escape to the suburbs to free themselves of the dangers prevalent in the bigger cities, only to find themselves the victims of something far more dangerous than anything there (in this case, ghosts, or "poltergeists").

We're introduced to the Freeling family, who live in the picturesque suburban Southern California community of Cuesta Verde. There's Steven Freeling (Craig T. Nelson), his wife Diane (JoBeth Williams), their oldest daughter Dana (the late Dominique Dunne, who was murdered by her boyfriend a few months after this film's release), Robbie (Oliver Robins), and Carol Anne (the late Heather O'Rourke, who tragically passed away six years later from septic shock caused by intestinal stenosis, while filming this movie's second of two sequels).

Like William Friedkin had done on "The Exorcist" (1973), Hooper takes his time in introducing us to the Freelings so that we get to know each of them as people and see them going about their daily lives. But soon, strange occurrences begin happening around the house. At first, they're benign, even if understandably unsettling. Eating utensils appear bent out of shape. Chairs move by themselves. And Carol Anne can hear voices talking to her through their living room television set.

This strange phenomena soon starts to turn terrifying, and violent. Robbie is nearly eaten alive by the old tree outside his bedroom window. And tragically, Carol Anne is abducted by the ominous forces that seemed to have taken up residence in the Freeling's house and dragged her off to the spirit realm. Steven and Diane waste little time in contacting professionals - in this case, university parapsychologist Dr. Lesh (the late Beatrice Straight), who regards her profession as one with little reward but who soon sees that what the Freelings are dealing with is the real deal, and Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein), a medium who explains to everyone that the Freeling house is haunted by a malevolent supernatural entity known only as "The Beast" that is holding Carol Anne hostage on the "other side."

"Poltergeist" is a bold marriage of talent and special effects. For a film that was released 34 years ago (as of this writing), its practical special effects still stand up to the test of time and beat out many of its more modern-day CGI-laden counterparts. Only someone as gifted as Steven Spielberg and Lucas's ILM could have been capable of doing this.

"Poltergeist" is one of the great modern ghost stories. The unique collaboration of director Tobe Hooper and producer/co-screenwriter Steven Spielberg is one of the great collaborative efforts in the history of film.

10/10

Steven Spielberg's ghost story

[ITTMovieFanatic · 10/10 · 2 June 2004]

"Poltergeist" is Steven Spielberg's vision of a ghost story, and a great one at that. This is an outstanding movie in every way possible. It has terrific acting, a good story to tell, a nice sense of humor, and astonishing special effects. Plus when I first saw this film, it was pretty scary.

"Poltergeist" tells the story of a suburban family living in a small town in California who's home is abruptly invaded by supernatural forces who are anything but friendly, and proceed to terrorize the entire clan. This is a movie that plays like a roller-coaster ride, and once it gets going it never stops.

Tobe Hooper, who directed the original 1974 cult classic "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", was picked by Spielberg to direct "Poltergeist". He does a fine job of creating scares and tension, even though rumors were floating around that writer/producer Spielberg actually stepped in and directed some of the film (Spielberg went on to say that Hooper was the director of "Poltergeist" even though Spielberg was very much involved with this film from start to finish). To me, it doesn't matter who directed it. This is still an excellent horror movie. Spielberg did a great job as writer/producer, and even if he had directed the whole movie it would still be as good. JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are wonderful as the head of the Freeling family, with Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins, and Heather O'Rourke equally good as their kids. The late Oscar-winning actress Beatrice Straight ("Network") scores points as a parapsycologist investigating the hauntings, and Zelda Rubinstein steals scenes as the mysterious clairvoyant brought in to "clean house". The acting is great, but it's the Oscar-nominated special effects that dominate. Wow! This horror film is a must-see!

***** (out of five)

A "classic"??

[davispittman · 4/10 · 23 December 2015]

Poltergeist (1982) Is a huge Spielberg "classic" or "masterpiece", or at least it is supposed to be. I will say this to start off with, the special effects in poltergeist are actually very cool and entertaining, especially for 1982. So that is one positive, impressive creative special effects and visuals! Also, the cast did well with their source material. But the big issue I took with the movie, was the bad script and boring pacing and how terribly non scary this is. It's so true that this movie has no scared at all, I did not jump once or feel scared or tense. Also, I just became bored many times throughout the movie, I was catching myself checking the time, and wishing it would hurry the heck up! Just goes to show you that good acting and special effects cannot be the only good things in a film, it must have a well put together script and the pace must be timed correctly. And if you are creating a horror film, here's a little hint, actually make it scary! 4/10 for Poltergeist.

A Very Good Ghost Story

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 23 March 2006]

This is one of the first movies I ever taped. I had gotten cable and this was on HBO. It was utterly captivating. The neat transition from the household ghost that moved chairs to the ugly, vengeful ghost that must be approached to save the little girl ("They're here!") It is so neatly set up with the housing development and the graveyard. The terror as the house begins to put forth the energy of these spirits. The scene when the heavy rain begins to wash the bodies up from under the yard is absolutely horrifying. This family is under assault, but until they know what is going on, they can only deal with the symptoms. This movie gives real estate developers a bad name (oops, that's redundant). To conclude, there are about six different scenes that will stick in my memory forever. That's a lot for a movie. I also loved the very last scene which I won't spoil. See this if you can.

That's the '80s!

[lee_eisenberg · 10/10 · 4 January 2006]

More than simply a horror flick, "Poltergeist" also functions as a relic of the early '80s: the book about Reagan, the "Star Wars" merchandise, and most importantly, the move to the suburbs. The plot of course portrays a suburban household where some very ghostly things start happening, and how the Freelings - who live there - have to cope.

Among other things, this may be the only horror movie that begins by playing "The Star-Spangled Banner". You'll probably have a very different impression of the TV after watching "Poltergeist", mainly because of the movie's most famous line. And I don't know whether or not it changes anything that Dominique Dunne (Dana) died while the movie was in the theaters, or that Heather O'Rourke (Carol Anne) died six years later.

All in all, this is a top-notch movie. The special effects, more than just being "cool", actually do give one a sense of fear. The cast does a great job. Craig T. Nelson as dad Steve is fatherly but can blow his top. JoBeth Williams as mom Diane puts a real spin on the image of the suburban housewife. Beatrice Straight as Dr. Lesh looks weird but keeps her cool. James Karen as developer Mr. Teague plays his usual mealy-mouthed character. And that one scene with JoBeth Williams (you know which one I mean)...well, let's just say that the teenage boys must have liked it the first time that they saw it. Oh, and this movie may make you wonder whether your house was built somewhere where it shouldn't have been. Perfect.

Poltergeist

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 8 June 2023]

Imagine the archetypal middle class family - mum, dad and three kids - all muddling along nicely in their home next to a graveyard, until things really do start going bump in the night! Doors, chairs and drawers start having minds of their own; the lights come on when it suits them, not you... Well initially, the "Freeling" family think this is just a bit of a giggle - that is until their daughter "Carol Anne" (Heather O'Rourke) disappears and when the paranormal investigators discover she is in an other dimension, only able to communicate via the white noise of the television screen, the battle is truly on to retrieve her from her truly malevolent captors. Zelda Rubinstein is super as the medium "Tangina" and Tone Hooper really does manage to use her character, and that of the little girl - as well as some pretty eery light works to create a suspenseful couple of hours that have you on the edge of the chair. Not, I have to say, because I particularly wanted the child back - I'm a bit with Ian Fleming on that front; but because these evil spirits could easily subsume the whole of humanity! Chilling stuff!

Why is there so much misinterpretation over this film's story?

[diogoferreira240878 · 9/10 · 29 November 2010]

I've read several reviews of Poltergeist and most people (including Siskel & Ebert)don't seem to have seen the same film as i did! All the criticism surrounding the storyline as how ridiculous and unbelievable it is. Well it's a ghost story, although i've always felt it was closer to a modern day fable in which the parents have to prove their love for their daughter going so far as to having to go to another dimension to retrieve her (well, the mother does that). People keep saying that the ghosts are in the TV and that Carol Anne was sucked into the TV, for Christ's sake, have these people actually watched the film? Another thing is that some critics complain that after the film was over they still didn't get what the spirits wanted and why they targeted the little girl. What about the sequence between Steve Freeling and his boss and the monologue delivered by Tangina where she EXPLAINS what is going on?! Sure, the film is not perfect, there's that infamous edit jump, too much cutesy with the burial of the bird and the lack of complaint from the neighbours about the thundering, thumping, screaming sounds that go on in the house, but it is a fable people! The acting is great, we really care about the characters, and because of some great dramatic sequences with Diane Freeling (brilliantly portrayed by JoBeth Williams)we realize that (SURPRISE!) the film isn't so much about the ghosts and (iconic) special effects, as it is about the drama of parents thrown into a supernatural situation they never saw coming and having to bring their daughter, that they hear THROUGH the TV (she's NOT IN the TV), back into our world. The action sequences are greatly imaginative and entertaining, Jerry Goldsmith's score is his best, being horrific, tense, spectral, childlike and such a masterpiece. I do love this film and wish that people would actually see it instead of making erroneous assumptions about it.

Funny and scary, one of the best ghost story

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 1 November 2014]

Steven (Craig T. Nelson) and Diane Freeling (JoBeth Williams) live in a Californian suburb with their kids Dana (Dominique Dunne), Robbie (Oliver Robins) and Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke). He's a real estate agent for the development that they're living in. Carol Anne starts hearing the TV people. There are strange things happening in the house. At first, it's just fun and games. Then it becomes more sinister when Carol Anne disappears. They invite a group of paranormal researchers from UC Irvine Dr. Lesh, Ryan, and Marty Case. More strange things happen and they call in spiritual medium Tangina Barrons (Zelda Rubinstein).

This starts off with a traditional family, a cute little girl, and some funny moments. Then there is the superior acting, the scary stuff and the great effects for its time. It is one of the best ghost story horrors. There is just something about a little girl in danger. Effects have improved over the years but few have been done better.

Excellent Ghost Story from Hooper and Spielberg

[ryan-10075 · 9/10 · 11 November 2020]

It has been put into question exactly who directed POLTERGEIST. Was it Tobe Hooper or did Steven Spielberg in fact over step his duties and direct this film? Since ET was yet to be released he was not allowed to direct any other picture in the mean time. Personally I would say both Hooper and Spielberg directed this film as at times it definitely has a very Spielberg-like feel to the film. Hooper was learning how to use effects in film from Spielberg (who did the story, co-wrote and produced) as well as Spielberg himself went out and got Hooper who had scared audiences earlier with great flicks like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and SALEM'S LOT.

The Freeling are nicely nestled in their fairly new home while dad Steve (Craig T. Nelson) is out selling homes in the neighbourhood. Problem is things aren't exactly what they seem. Their youngest, cute and also at the same time creepy Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) seems to be completely drawn to the TV after it has finished its programming for the day. Only to find that the house is haunted bysome real supernatural powers.

I love the film, because it does not use the customary ways to tell the story and is plopped right in the middle of America. The acting as well is top notch, Nelson is great as the father, but personally I think JoBeth Williams as the mother Diane hits one out of the ballpark with her performance. The music by Jerry Goldsmith is excellent and also was nominated for an Oscar. The visual effects were nominated as well and while some by today's standards are no longer near the top bench in effects (like the dude ripping his face off) some are still quite effective almost 40 years later. I do look at some of the effects as a stepping stone towards what they did in GHOSTBUTSERS a couple years later.

Also starring Beatrice Straight as Dr. Lesh who comes to investigate the home after the Freelings believe it is haunted, the perfectly cast Zelda Rubinstein as the medium Tangina and James Karen as Steve's boss Mr. Teague.

On a final note this film is said to be cursed which lead to the deaths of Dominique Dunne who played the eldest child Dana and Heather O'Rourke. It all may add to the fact you are watching a horror movie, but there is quite a bit of info out there if you wish to look into that.

In the end if you are into ghost stories to me this one is a must watch. Followed by two sequels (which both couldn't stand in the shadow of the original) and a remake.

Horror or pure Marketing ???

[Coventry · 4/10 · 26 December 2003]

To me, Poltergeist is the perfect proof that you only need a big name to create a successful movie. Do you honestly think Poltergeist would have reached the status it enjoys now if the name Steven Spielberg wasn't attached to it? I seriously doubt it because the story is average at his best and contains no groundbreaking elements what so ever. It's a childish ghost story about a house that was built on an ancient burial ground. The restless souls make contact through a little girl and make her vanish, eventually. The entire production is a Spielberg project and therefore, it received a lot more credit and praise than it actually deserves. Even though Tobe Hooper is credited as being the director, it is Spielberg's style that overrules the film at all times.

Don't watch this film if you're a Hooper fan and you're expecting to see another raw, brutal and low-budgeted film like his masterpiece, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. In his own production, Hooper proved himself to be a innovating and creative storyteller who makes the most out of a simple topic. He has the ability to build up an atmospheric tension without much use of special effects and that's why he fails here. Hooper clearly couldn't handle the overload of visual and sound effects. Poltergeist contains too many sentiment, drama and morality to appeal to horror fans. It might manage to impress young children or inexperienced fans of the genre, but the more developed horror buff will laugh hysterically with this plot line. There are many decent (and overlooked) ghost stories out there to discover, don't waste your time on this fairy-tale. And besides, if you take my advise on this one...you'll be saved from the utterly annoying Zelda Rubinstein. This midget-actress looks like the ideal cast for about 2 minutes, then she becomes a real bore and very annoying to listen to.

Spielbergeist Strikes Again

[kenjha · 2/10 · 12 February 2011]

This haunted house movie has the look and feel of the low-budget horror movies of the 1950s except that it's not as good. Although directed by Hooper, this has all the earmarks of a Spielberg film. Spielberg co-produced and wrote the story, and it's the funniest material he has ever written. Unfortunately, all the laughs are unintentional. It's meant to be scary, but it's utterly ridiculous, with no rhyme or reason to the proceedings. The sets are cheap looking and the special effects are cheesy. The acting is uniformly bad, not helped by the pedestrian dialog. On a poignant note, it's hard to watch this without thinking about the tragic short lives of O'Rourke and Dunne, who play sisters.

Likeable family is suddenly horrorized by otherworld spirits in their house of terrors

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 16 March 2009]

This known story deals with the classic yarn about a family whose suburban home is invaded by angry spirits . The suburban Freeling family (Craig T Nelson , JoBeth Williams, Heather O'Rourke and Dominique Dunne , Griffin Dunne's sister) that encounter their house invaded by weird ghosts who abduct six-year-old little girl named Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke). The parents hire some psychic experts (Beatrice Straight, Richard Lawson and Zelda Rubinstein) to resolve the mystery . They know what scares you !. What are you afraid of !. From a dimension beyond the living, a terror to scare you to death !. Mommy, Daddy, where are you? Its form is revealed, Its focus is clear and the games are over !. The unknown will be revealed. The invisible will be seen. They're here. It knows what scares you !. Some things have to be believed to be seen !.

Excellent terror story with plenty of screams ,chills , thrills and a little bit of humor. Good and dazzling though primitive special effects by Richard Edlund . The storyline is simple and well-known , when the terrifying apparitions escalate their attacks and take the youngest daughter , the family must come together to rescue her . Official experts , Parapsychologists and Anomalists and the world's foremost authorities on "poltergeists" contributed to advise and internationally publicize and promote the release of the movie . Suspenseful and frightening musical score by the great master Jerry Goldsmith . Colorful and appropriate cinematography by cameraman Matthew F. Leonetti . This hight budgeted movie is surprisingly written and well produced by Steven Spielberg. Director Tobe Hooper puts accent on suspense and atmosphere as in terror happenings . What transpires in the two hours longtime is a thriller that will leave you physically and emotionally drained . Horror fans should be entertained .

Followed by two inferior sequels with little common sense and coherence , such as : Poltergeist II (1986) by Brian Gibson with similar casting and Poltergeist III (1988) by Gary Sherman with Tom Skerrit, Nancy Allen, Lara Flynn Boyle and Heather O'Rourke who died after the movie's release at 12 age, while his sister Dominique Dunne died at 22 years old killed by her boyfriend. And a routine and without surprises remake with the same ingredients as the original : Poltergeist (2015) by Gil Kenan with Sam Rockwell , Rosemarie DeWitt, Jared Harris, Jane Adams , Susan Heyward .

A Shocker 25 Years Ago

[ccthemovieman-1 · 6/10 · 17 February 2008]

It's funny how you can view the same movie at different times in your life and feel totally opposite of how you viewed the same thing years ago. Like most people, I loved this film when it came out and enjoyed it both at the theater and on VHS a handful of times. However, after a long absence and watching this a couple of years ago, I went the other way.

On the last viewing, I got totally turned off in the first 20 minutes thanks to Jobeth Williams' character, "Diane Freeling." A foul-mouthed, pot-smoking Mom is going to be someone we are going to root for? Not me. She's a main character in here and way too abrasive. By now, she and the film look too '70s. For something that many people thought was a kids' movie because it was the same year as Stephen Spielberg released his "E.T.," it was certainly anything but kiddie fare.

However, I cannot deny this wasn't another entertaining Spielberg effort with some wild, memorable scenes. Who can ever forget little Heather O'Rourke sitting in front of the TV set and saying, "They're here!!"

A little bit old now

[AvionPrince16 · 6/10 · 27 October 2021]

The movie is, i think, pretty great for his time but now its feel a little bit outdated and we are not very impress by the special effects. They feel not very reel except the part where the poltergeist moved the furnitures: these scenes feel very reel and very well made. I enjoyed it. It didnt scared me really but i found there are some great scenes and some intriguing moment but the monsters feel not very believable in my opinion. They look pretty strange and i didnt feel any scare with their presence. The movie can still be quite entertaining but nothing more in 2021.