Tags
1970's, Bette Davis, Burgess Meredith, Burnt Offerings, Dan Curtis, Eileen Heckart, Horror, Karen Black, Lee H. Montgomery, Mystery, Oliver Reed
Film Title
Burnt Offerings
Director
Dan Curtis
Starring
- Oliver Reed as Ben Rolf
- Karen Black as Marian Rolf
- Bette Davis as Aunt Elizabeth
- Lee H. Montgomery as Davey Rolf
- Burgess Meredith as Arnold Allardyce
- Eileen Heckart as Roz Allardyce
A haunted house horror/mystery that uses suggestion and enigmas to raise tension and atmosphere, Burnt Offerings is a seriously underrated chiller. Unease and the raising of hairs on the back of the neck are guaranteed in this effective movie.
The Rolf family; husband and wife Ben and Marian, their 12-year-old son Davey and elderly but sprightly Aunt Elizabeth, decide to take a summer vacation. They find a large house that is asking for tenants in California’s countryside. The house is marvellous, big in size and area, but a little dilapidated. Still, the reasonably cheap price to stay for the summer is very tempting. After meeting the slightly unusual brother and sister Arnold and Roz Allardyce, who own the house, Marian becomes insistent on staying there. Ben is not so sure, especially as they ask them to take care of their elderly mother. She never comes out of her living quarters, so they are just required to bring meals to her door. Ben eventually agrees after seeing how much Marian would love it. Upon arrival, have left for some vague reason. Making the place their own for the time that they have, the family settle in nicely . But the house soon reveals that it’s not the most hospitable place for guests and seems to have something evil inside it. Marian is the main person who is influenced in a malevolent manner by the old house, becoming obsessed with it, rejuvenating the old place and behaving alarmingly alienated towards her family. Other strange events unfold like a seemingly possessed Ben nearly drowning Davey in the pool, the greenhouse of dead flowers slowly coming back to life and Marian’s insistence that the house needs her. Everything seems to link to the very house itself, which appears to wield a strange power over all that enter. But just what can it want with the family and in particular Will any of the family truly discover the sinister secrets and shocks of the house? Or will the house itself get them before it is too late?
The creeping thrills and strange mystery are kept to a good level of skill by director Dan Curtis. The set up boats all the usual hallmarks of a haunted house movie, bit the mysterious approach and the fact that we aren’t hit over the head with overt explanations, makes Burnt Offerings a good and under appreciated entry into the genre. Just how and why the house is tormenting them is the main mysterious crux of Burnt Offerings. It is only gradually that the real intentions of the house come into the light. The photography is one if the highlights of Burnt Offerings; enveloping events in a dream like haze that starts out quite nicely and joyfully, then little by little gets to an ominous level of chilling intensity. I also liked how it was different from some haunting movies. In a lot of them, the haunting is designed to scare the people out, the malevolence actually wants to trap them for its own insidious purpose. To spoil the intention and designs of the house would be a major disservice to the creepy tone and uncomfortable events of Burnt Offerings. I will say that it is something very alarming and disturbing, yet done with degrees of exceptional subtlety and bubbling menace that make it pretty satisfying. The house is pretty much a character itself, though one that you really are t sure of. You know it’s evil because we’re in a horror movie, but the ways that it influences all, particularly Marian, is still pretty unsettling and spooky stuff. The slow burning pace is largely excellent in developing the evil of the house and building up numerous enigmatic angles. One little problem I had was that Burnt Offerings gets a bit leisurely in the middle half of the picture, when it should have some oomph in its engine. Saying that, it is redeemed quickly by what follows and the sensational climax of what is a really compelling horror mystery. Up and down strings and the old classic music box sound are in abundance, making Burnt Offerings suspenseful even when nothing unusual is happening. It’s that hint that something sinister will transpire that the score really works on.
Oliver Reed is his usual intense self as the husband under siege from the house, his dramatic approach lending itself well to the character’s eventual descent into tormented horror. Karen Black makes for a marvellously and genuinely creepy leading lady. Playing Marian, who becomes almost immediately entranced with the house, her unusual tics and mannerisms slowly emerge into something very alarming. It’s a credit to Black’s talent that you buy into how unusually obsessed and spine chilling Marian becomes, as her once genial persona starts to get more peculiar, mercurial and generally unstable as time passes. The great Bette Davis brings her professionalism and grand standing to the part of energetic Aunt Elizabeth, who is really the first to suspect something amiss in the house. It’s a supporting role, but when you have Davis, even in smaller roles she displays her immense talent and steals the scenes she is in. Lee H. Montgomery does the frightened child act well, while the brief but very memorable appearances of Burgess Meredith and Eileen Heckart as the unusual siblings who own the house, makes a deep impression and spooky one at that.
Spooky entertainment and creepy thrills abound in this slow-burning but extremely eerie horror film. If you like some haunted house horror, with mysterious overtones and good cast, Burnt Offerings is probably the flick for you.
raistlin0903 said:
For the life of me I can’t remember if I have seen this movie in the past. It sounds familiar but I really don’t know. Still, I have seen so many “evil house” movies lately that I am a bit tired of that genre. Still, classic movies are akways interesting to me,and seeing Oliver Reed is in this one, it certainly has my interest. So I have put it on my to watch list. Great post as always 😀
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vinnieh said:
It’s definitely a good example of a haunted house movie with a difference. Plus, just look at that cast!
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shehannemoore said:
Not seen this one but gonna check it out.
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vinnieh said:
You should. It gets very spooky.
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shehannemoore said:
I quite like the horror films from this vintage. And Oliver Reed was a good actor. Burgess Meredith too.
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vinnieh said:
Both are fine actors. Intensity must have been Reed’s middle name, he completely exuded it.
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shehannemoore said:
He was wonderful. Even that wee bit he did in Gladiator just before he died, he kinda stole it.
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vinnieh said:
He had a knack for doing that sort of thing.
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shehannemoore said:
I know. He was quite a character too. There was a time when no-one would have him on a TV show cos of his antics. Lol.
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vinnieh said:
I think the best way to describe him as was hell raising.
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shehannemoore said:
Yep.
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Cindy Bruchman said:
I remember this when I was a girl. Spooky indeed! Nice review, Vinnieh. Bette was perfect.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Cindy. Bette Davis is one of my favourites. You know she’d bring it to whatever film she was starring in.
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Meghan Tregellis said:
Oh my word. I’d take one look at that house and turn on my heels and run! I have never been able to take the slightly crossed-eyed Karen Black seriously either. But Bette Davis – I’m a huge fan!
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vinnieh said:
Haha, it does look strange even in the beginning. And the siblings that own it are enough to make you reconsider. Black is pretty great in this, her unusual features used to fine effect. And Bette Davis, what an amazing presence on screen.
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beetleypete said:
I don’t think I have ever seen this one mate. Mind you, Karen Black puts me off of anything she’s in. Her eyes are weird, so I can’t look at her for too long.
Cheers, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a good one. Like I said to Meg, her slightly eerie features are put to fine use.
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beetleypete said:
She’s a bit too strange for me mate.
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vinnieh said:
In what way?
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beetleypete said:
Those eyes, they just don’t look at anyone she’s talking too. I never understood how she got to be in so many films.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for explaining it.
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renxkyoko said:
I saw this on cable, though I’m not sure if that was Burnt Offerings. Is there a witch in this movie ?
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vinnieh said:
No there isn’t a witch.
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renxkyoko said:
Iremember something burned at the garden, and there was a big swimming pool ? And Karen Black was the evil person here ?
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vinnieh said:
There is a big swimming pool. Karen Black does turn very menacing in this too . I think I know the film you’re referring too, but the title escapes me.
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fragglerocking said:
Oh no, I cannot bear stupid house-is-gonna-kill-you movies. As if! Pft!
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vinnieh said:
The set up sounds ridiculous, but is actually super spooky.
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fragglerocking said:
Will take your word for it 🙄😊
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vinnieh said:
I don’t think it’s a movie for everyone. Fans of the genre will enjoy it though.
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Derrick Carter said:
This movie scared the crap out of me when I was little and still holds up well today! I’m glad you liked it. The ending still haunts my memory because it shocked the hell out of my preteen self. Another great 70s gem that’s worth checking out if you haven’t yet is The Other (it’s a bit like this film in build-up and a chilling pay-off).
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vinnieh said:
It is a rather unexpected and very disturbing ending. I love The Omen, something about that ghoulish and sinister atmosphere captures my attentions. Along with the stellar music.
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vinnieh said:
Sorry I thought you wrote The Omen. Only just realised. Thanks for suggesting The Other, another one for my watch list.
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Derrick Carter said:
You’re good. The Omen is a great movie too. The 70s had a lot of solid, slow-burn horror.
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vinnieh said:
I have come to notice that. The 70’s were a good decade for horror.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I really enjoyed this movie Vinnie. There’s something to be said for slow burners. I think you’ve perfectly captured all its strengths here. And I agree with Derrick. I think you’d love The Others.💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
I love mood building. I believe Derrick is referring to a 70’s film called The Other. I’ve seen The Others, a most exemplary ghost story with Nicole Kidman.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Oops. My mistake.
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vinnieh said:
It’s all cool, Kim. I actually did the same thing at first myself.
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keepsmealive said:
Definitely never saw this one, but I’m intrigued!
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vinnieh said:
Intrigue is what I like to build with these posts.
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houstonphotojourney said:
I think I’d like it but have to watch it early in the morning so I don’t get nightmares 😄. Adding to my list… I had thought about watching before and never did so appreciate the awesome reviews you always give!!
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vinnieh said:
I like giving people that push to see things. I often watch horror in the daytime, but there’s something about the night that helps too!
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houstonphotojourney said:
You do a darn good job of it!
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vinnieh said:
That warms my heart to know.
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Rincewind said:
Have not heard about this movie at all! But will definitely watch it now, thanks for the tip.
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vinnieh said:
If you want atmospheric horror, this is a good place to start. Genuinely gave me the creeps.
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Rincewind said:
It sounds awesome..
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vinnieh said:
It really is.
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Realweegiemidget Reviews said:
Love your take on this film, also reviewed it -Oliver Reed was fantastic and hammed it up wonderfully!
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vinnieh said:
I was really surprised and creeped out by this movie. Very spooky.
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