I love how horror used to be done. Not a WB cast member or inside joke to be found. Burnt Offerings isn't a film that will answer every question for you, but it is a film that will give you a serious case of the creeps.
Oliver Reed and Karen Black, along with their son and aunt (Bette Davis) move into a big, old mansion for the summer. Soon after, strange things start to happen as both the house and the family take of different personalities. All the while, Ms. Allardyce sits quietly in her locked room in the attic. And just who is that seriously creepy chauffeur who keeps popping up?
I liked Burnt Offerings because it took its time to tell the story. When the mother first steps foot inside the house, you can see that she's already captivated by it, and has made up her mind to stay before a word is even uttered between her and her husband. The slow progression and build up to its climax offers enough suspense and mystery that you'll be shocked with it finally happens. While some may see the climax coming a mile away, when Ms. Allardyce finally shows her face, it's one of the most chilling shots I can recall.
The cast play their characters well, with only a little of the over-acting that a lot of 70s films suffer from. Only the house's owners and Bette Davis overreach from time to time.
While I was a little disappointed that the reasoning behind everything isn't really told, I can overlook that. Many films lose their punch when they explain everything, and I like to try and come up with my own reasons certain things happen. Take the chauffeur; even though his role isn't explained, I took him to be the house's "sole", or even its "collector"
All in all, I recommend Burnt Offerings to fans for the genre, or even to those just looking for a good scare on a stormy night.
My grade: B+
Oliver Reed and Karen Black, along with their son and aunt (Bette Davis) move into a big, old mansion for the summer. Soon after, strange things start to happen as both the house and the family take of different personalities. All the while, Ms. Allardyce sits quietly in her locked room in the attic. And just who is that seriously creepy chauffeur who keeps popping up?
I liked Burnt Offerings because it took its time to tell the story. When the mother first steps foot inside the house, you can see that she's already captivated by it, and has made up her mind to stay before a word is even uttered between her and her husband. The slow progression and build up to its climax offers enough suspense and mystery that you'll be shocked with it finally happens. While some may see the climax coming a mile away, when Ms. Allardyce finally shows her face, it's one of the most chilling shots I can recall.
The cast play their characters well, with only a little of the over-acting that a lot of 70s films suffer from. Only the house's owners and Bette Davis overreach from time to time.
While I was a little disappointed that the reasoning behind everything isn't really told, I can overlook that. Many films lose their punch when they explain everything, and I like to try and come up with my own reasons certain things happen. Take the chauffeur; even though his role isn't explained, I took him to be the house's "sole", or even its "collector"
All in all, I recommend Burnt Offerings to fans for the genre, or even to those just looking for a good scare on a stormy night.
My grade: B+