Poltergeist (1982 film)
Poltergeist (1982 film) is an American supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. It tells the story of a suburban family whose home is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct their youngest daughter.
Synopsis:
The Freeling family – Steve, Diane, Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne – live in the planned community of Cuesta Verde, California. Strange occurrences begin to plague their home, starting with minor disturbances and escalating into violent and terrifying phenomena. Chairs move on their own, objects fly across the room, and a gnarled tree outside Robbie's window comes to life. The activity intensifies when Carol Anne begins communicating with unseen entities through the static on their television screen. The ghosts eventually abduct Carol Anne, pulling her into another dimension through a portal in her bedroom closet.
Desperate to save their daughter, Steve and Diane seek the help of parapsychologists Dr. Lesh and Ryan from a local university. They confirm the presence of a powerful supernatural force and call in Tangina Barrons, a diminutive but powerful spiritual medium. Tangina determines that the house is built on an ancient Native American burial ground, disturbed during the development of Cuesta Verde.
Tangina is able to communicate with Carol Anne and devise a plan to bring her back, but the process is fraught with danger. The family faces terrifying apparitions and physical attacks from the malevolent spirits, ultimately realizing that a particularly malevolent spirit known as the "Beast" wants to keep Carol Anne in its grasp.
After a harrowing ordeal, Steve and Diane are able to rescue Carol Anne, but the house remains haunted. They pack up their belongings and flee the house, staying at a Holiday Inn. Steve, in a moment of paranoia, kicks the television out of their motel room.
Cast:
- Craig T. Nelson as Steve Freeling
- JoBeth Williams as Diane Freeling
- Dominique Dunne as Dana Freeling
- Oliver Robins as Robbie Freeling
- Heather O'Rourke as Carol Anne Freeling
- Beatrice Straight as Dr. Lesh
- Richard Lawson as Ryan
- Zelda Rubinstein as Tangina Barrons
Production:
The film was produced by Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall, with Spielberg also receiving credit as a writer. The film's special effects were groundbreaking for their time and contributed significantly to its impact. The film's production has been surrounded by rumors of a "curse," due to several cast members dying prematurely in the years following its release.
Reception:
Poltergeist was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $76 million at the box office. It received positive reviews for its special effects, suspenseful atmosphere, and performances, particularly those of O'Rourke and Rubinstein. It was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects, Best Original Score, and Best Sound Effects Editing.
Legacy:
Poltergeist has become a classic of the horror genre, influencing countless subsequent films. It spawned two sequels, Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist III (1988), as well as a remake released in 2015. The film's iconic imagery, such as Carol Anne's connection to the television screen, remains instantly recognizable and frequently referenced in popular culture.