The Watcher in the Woods
Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 103
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 On: 2008-09-14
I have loved this movie since I was probably 12 years old, and it still gives me the willies every time I watch it! Its good clean scary fun.
 On: 2008-09-11
As a family movie Watcher in the Woods has a fun and cozy vibe about it. It never gets very scary, except for Bette Davis whose presence is probably most genuinely intense thing about the movie.
The ending is awkward and a little anticlimactic, but mostly its an enjoyable ride.
Its a good movie, but if you love it or hate it really boils down to your age (good for most kids), or if you are an adult it depends on whether you want to be amused...or genuinely scared.
In other words, fans of Saw might do well to stay away, but those who like other Disney horror/action like Something Wicked This Way Comes, should love it.
On: 2008-09-07
I used to watch The Watcher in the Woods when I was little and it scared me so much. I have a daughter who loves stories and when I cant come up with one using my own imagination I resort to telling her old movies that I used to love as a child. We have had to buy all of them so far. So this is why I purchase The Watcher in the Woods for us. It was great to get to watch it with my daughter. She got scared too. The special features are cool. The ending that the movie has is the best one. I also bought a copy of this for my cousin, who is several years older then me, for her bithday. She was speechless and so happy to get such a gift.
On: 2008-08-19
Honestly, even though I LOVED this movie as a 10-year-old kid -- it scared me to death, no joke! So parents, dont underestimate this movies powers to give your kids nightmares. (Seriously, a trianglar crack in a mirror containing a blindfolded girl reaching out to you and mouthing "HELP ME!" is FREAKY, no matter what age you are.)
However, this is a great film for slightly more mature kids, as it really fires the imagination and will stick with them for years. I will always love this movie, despite its early 1980s appearance, outdated special effects, and some of the more annoying moments of Johnsons (Jans) whiny voice and overacting. I still love it because the premise of the story is so fascinating, and there are moments and aspects of it that I STILL FIND SCARY!
For example (I wont give away too much, dont worry):
I love the eerie lullaby that Jan and Ellie hear in the woods, its so whimsical and innocent-sounding that its juxtaposition with the frightening elements of the story is utterly creepy. I love the way it gets played at the very end, it makes the movie end on a note of unease, despite the resolution -- and I really like that sense of the unsettled and unresolved at the end of this creeeepy story. I dont want to see any other alternative ending!
I LOVE BETTE DAVIS in this role, she is such a leading lady, and her character is so haunting. She perfectly conveys the loss and loneliness that an old widow would feel if her beloved daughter had mysteriously disappeared many years ago. The part where she looks at the forest and says "Theyre going to stay...is that what you wanted?" gives me chills just thinking about it -- because its at that point that you realize she KNOWS there is something out there in the woods, and she too is confused as to who or what it is, and perhaps even thinks it IS her daughter out there in spirit form. (Jibblies!)
Jan looking in the large dresser mirror -- unable to see herself in it. I always imagine myself in her shoes at that moment, and I think I would run screaming at what happens next, or at least think I was going absolutely crazy. I love that moment.
Ellie writing backwards on the bathroom mirror in the dark, talking to herself. Yeeeee.....
That strange, glowing blue triangle that appears at the foot of the stone coffin in the chapel... and especially the way it disappears with a wipe-motion is so creepy, creates such a great tension for when Jan approaches it. Seeing Karen inside of the coffin still freaks/weirds me out. And when I was a kid I was petrified!
And there are many more great scare-elements. I highly recommend this film! Its a classic with a one-of-a-kind paranormal plotline.
On: 2008-04-10
A very creepy movie that keeps you interested.It definitely holds your attention.I am glad I finally got to see it.I think it is a movie that more people would like if they watched it.
On: 2008-03-30
Its rather difficult to believe it, while watching it, that "Watcher in the Woods," is a Disney production. For once,, Disney didnt under-estimate the ability of children to enjoy a motion picture that is capable of scaring them to an ultimate degree.
Ive read dozens of reviews of this movie written by adults who viewed it as children and loved it. Bette Davis plays a bereaved mother of a daughter who disappeared in the woods surrounding their home. Davis physical appearance itself is frightening. From the start when she first appears its easy to suspect her of being some kind of witch or evil woman.
There is a supernatural aspect to the movie that required special effects that are quite well done for that era. The child actors deliver very good performances, enough so that I imagine almost any child could place themselves in their positions.
Some reviewers warn parents that this movie is too scary for children. I disagree whole heartedly. If I tell you why Ill reveal the ending. So Ill have to hint: if adults were the culprits in the film I would view it much differently. But, because this is about what children have done with each other and for each other, I feel it is most appropriate for children. After all, what is wrong with children learning how to watch a scary movie about children and learn that its only make-believe?
I feel its quite appropriate to have the image of a very witchy-looking Bette Davis in ones mind as evil incarnate, then find out looks can be very deceiving. Theres a very good morality lesson in that aspect: the cliche--never judge a book by its cover.
 On: 2008-03-02
It is great to re-live the movie that terrified me as a child :) Its not quite as scary as I remember, but brings back fun memories.
On: 2008-01-11
Creepy, subtle horror/mystery by Disney was a good attempt to produce more mainstream movies (as opposed to strictly kids fare) back in the early 80s. Though, if you think about it, Disney was always pretty willing to include scary elements in both its animated and live-action movies, so this initiative really wasnt much of a stretch. The great Bette Davis lends additional credibility to this modest but well-crafted film via her fairly small but nicely-performed role as the grieving mother of a long-lost child. The DVD I saw included the two alternate endings described by other Amazon reviewers. Theyre interesting to see, but the ending attached to the film- though it IS somewhat abrupt- is probably the best of all the conclusions. The other endings spell out too specifically things (the nature of the Watcher, where he/she/it comes from, etc.) that are better left imagined or speculated about by the films characters.
On: 2008-01-11
The Curtis family moves into a secluded English country house. Strange things happen right away. Daughter Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) sees things. When she touches glass it breaks into a triangle. When she looks into an old dresser mirror, she cannot see her reflection. When she touches it it cracks into a triangle. And in the triangle she can see the reflection of a blindfolded girl.
That night she is awoken by her sister Ellies sleeptalking. But Ellie (Kyle Richards) tells Jan it was her that was talking.
The next day the girls are visiting a farm and Ellen in a trance writes NERAK on the barn window. From the other side it reads Karen and Mrs. Fleming becomes disturbed by this. Back at home, Ellie is drawn into the woods and Jan goes looking for her. She finds Ellie by the pond. The girls hear disembodied singing followed by a light flash and then a circle in the water.
Jan falls into the pond and gets trapped by a branch underwater. Mrs. Aylwood (Bette Davis) rescues her. Jan tells her of what is happening. Mrs. Aylwood tells Jan about her daughter that disappeared 30 years ago.
The following day, the family goes to a motorcross race. Ellie starts to scream for Jan to come to her. Moments later a motorycle goes off track and lands on the rock that Jan was standing on.
The girls go horseback riding neighbor Mike (his mother was present whan Karen disappeared.) Ellies horse bolts and Mike goes after her. Jans horse gets spooked takes her to the chapel where Karen disappeared. She sees a trianglular light on a coffin and then Karens image in the coffin. While there a sudden gust blows out a window and two circular panes of glass fall at her feet, one with a sunburst being covered by a dark piece of glass.
Next Jan is in a house of mirrors and suddenly every reflection is of the blindfolded Karen. Jan decides to find out what happened the night that Karen Aylwood disappeared. John Keller tells her to leave it alone. But Tom Colley tells her want happened. That Karen during an initation the chapel was struck by lightning and caught on fire. The three ran leaving the blindfolded Karen alone. Tom turned around and saw the tower bell fall but Karen had already gone.
Mrs. Curtis (Carroll Baker) tries to take the girls away from the house but the woods stop them, setting up the rescue of Karen.
This was part of Disney studio trying to change its image from low budget family orient films to a more main stream films. This film was left on the shelf for over a year before they reshot the end and released it.
This film is very interesting and despite some minor story flaws and rather rudimentary special effects (even for those days), this film is enjoyable for the entire family.
By the way Kyle Richards looks incredibly like her more famous sister Kim Richards. And it is great seeing Carroll Baker working again.
DVD EXTRAS
Alternate Ending #1 (6:32) - this gives a form to the watcher - which looks like something from Alien. In this one the special effects are more elaborate but there is something missing.
Aleternate Ending #2 (13:38) - this is an extended version of alternate ending #1. The beginning is like the current ending but the last half is like ending two. But in each case extended. This takes Jan to the alternate universe to save Karen.
I think that these two ending were too overly sci-fi and the current ending is simpler yet edgier.
On: 2008-01-10
The Curtis family moves into a secluded English country house. Strange things happen right away. Daughter Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) sees things. When she touches glass it breaks into a triangle. When she looks into an old dresser mirror, she cannot see her reflection. When she touches it it cracks into a triangle. And in the triangle she can see the reflection of a blindfolded girl.
That night she is awoken by her sister Ellies sleeptalking. But Ellie (Kyle Richards) tells Jan it was her that was talking.
The next day the girls are visiting a farm and Ellen in a trance writes NERAK on the barn window. From the other side it reads Karen and Mrs. Fleming becomes disturbed by this. Back at home, Ellie is drawn into the woods and Jan goes looking for her. She finds Ellie by the pond. The girls hear disembodied singing followed by a light flash and then a circle in the water.
Jan falls into the pond and gets trapped by a branch underwater. Mrs. Aylwood (Bette Davis) rescues her. Jan tells her of what is happening. Mrs. Aylwood tells Jan about her daughter that disappeared 30 years ago.
The following day, the family goes to a motorcross race. Ellie starts to scream for Jan to come to her. Moments later a motorycle goes off track and lands on the rock that Jan was standing on.
The girls go horseback riding neighbor Mike (his mother was present whan Karen disappeared.) Ellies horse bolts and Mike goes after her. Jans horse gets spooked takes her to the chapel where Karen disappeared. She sees a trianglular light on a coffin and then Karens image in the coffin. While there a sudden gust blows out a window and two circular panes of glass fall at her feet, one with a sunburst being covered by a dark piece of glass.
Next Jan is in a house of mirrors and suddenly every reflection is of the blindfolded Karen. Jan decides to find out what happened the night that Karen Aylwood disappeared. John Keller tells her to leave it alone. But Tom Colley tells her want happened. That Karen during an initation the chapel was struck by lightning and caught on fire. The three ran leaving the blindfolded Karen alone. Tom turned around and saw the tower bell fall but Karen had already gone.
Mrs. Curtis (Carroll Baker) tries to take the girls away from the house but the woods stop them, setting up the rescue of Karen.
This was part of Disney studio trying to change its image from low budget family orient films to a more main stream films. This film was left on the shelf for over a year before they reshot the end and released it.
This film is very interesting and despite some minor story flaws and rather rudimentary special effects (even for those days), this film is enjoyable for the entire family.
By the way Kyle Richards looks incredibly like her more famous sister Kim Richards. And it is great seeing Carroll Baker working again.
DVD EXTRAS
Alternate Ending #1 (6:32) - this gives a form to the watcher - which looks like something from Alien. In this one the special effects are more elaborate but there is something missing.
Aleternate Ending #2 (13:38) - this is an extended version of alternate ending #1. The beginning is like the current ending but the last half is like ending two. But in each case extended. This takes Jan to the alternate universe to save Karen.
I think that these two ending were too overly sci-fi and the current ending is simpler yet edgier.
On: 2007-12-20
Back in the good ol days of Disney before putrid sludge like High School Musical and Hannah Frickin Montana, you got cool little movies like The Watcher In The Woods. This was back when you could make a "family" horror film and have it work. Watcher deals with a family moving into a nice new home near the woods. Bette Davis, the previous owner of the house, still lives on the grounds and becomes interested in the older daughter, Jan, who reminds her of her daughter who had disappeared under bizarre circumstances in the woods many years ago. Jan starts to notice bizarre goings on with the woods like flashing lights, eerie messages from her younger sister, and images of a blindfolded girl who seems to be begging for help. This starts Jan on an investigation to find out what happened to this girl and how to help her, whether shes alive or dead. This movie was quite good, and with alot of the plot points I cant help but think that recent movies like The Ring, Stir of Echoes, or any of the other billion movies that deal with a ghostly child, have in some part been influenced by this movie. This manages a great sense of spookiness throughout with practically zero violence or death. Youre not gonna be lying trembling under a blanket with fear crying for mommy or anything, but to create spookiness with what is practically G-rated material is impressive. Then in the last five minutes or so of the film, theres a big zinger thrown at you that shifts the entire plot. This twist, which jumps right into sci-fi almost, may seem a bit corny, but you gotta admit its original. This forgotten classic from the Wonderful World of Disney is well worth checking out. Its a helluva lot better than a Thats So Raven marathon, thats for sure.
On: 2007-12-19
Back in the good ol days of Disney before putrid sludge like High School Musical and Hannah Frickin Montana, you got cool little movies like The Watcher In The Woods. This was back when you could make a "family" horror film and have it work. Watcher deals with a family moving into a nice new home near the woods. Bette Davis, the previous owner of the house, still lives on the grounds and becomes interested in the older daughter, Jan, who reminds her of her daughter who had disappeared under bizarre circumstances in the woods many years ago. Jan starts to notice bizarre goings on with the woods like flashing lights, eerie messages from her younger sister, and images of a blindfolded girl who seems to be begging for help. This starts Jan on an investigation to find out what happened to this girl and how to help her, whether shes alive or dead. This movie was quite good, and with alot of the plot points I cant help but think that recent movies like The Ring, Stir of Echoes, or any of the other billion movies that deal with a ghostly child, have in some part been influenced by this movie. This manages a great sense of spookiness throughout with practically zero violence or death. Youre not gonna be lying trembling under a blanket with fear crying for mommy or anything, but to create spookiness with what is practically G-rated material is impressive. Then in the last five minutes or so of the film, theres a big zinger thrown at you that shifts the entire plot. This twist, which jumps right into sci-fi almost, may seem a bit corny, but you gotta admit its original. This forgotten classic from the Wonderful World of Disney is well worth checking out. Its a helluva lot better than a Thats So Raven marathon, thats for sure.
On: 2007-11-13
Ive loved this movie ever since I saw its first release back in the early 1980s! It is, to me, the perfect type of horror flick. It is genuinely creepy without the overdose of profanity, blood, guts and gore so typical of todays genre films. The creepy atmosphere of the films location adds much to the suspense of the film. I would not spend one moment in the house in which they reside.
What I like about the film is the despair that Bette Davis character feels after losing her daughter without a trace some 25 years earlier. This is not just a horror flick, but a mystery film as well; every moment Ms. Davis is on screen her sadness is conveyed with skill. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, but in this films case she was not even afforded the simple knowledge of knowing what led to her daughter Karens disappearance. Actually, I like all of the performances in this film, although I think a few of the scenes feel a bit forced.
Another aspect that is quite effective are the use of wide angle lens whenever the "watcher" is present. All in all, each of the films elements including the sound and special effects add immensely to the creep-out factor of this movie. I noticed some of the other reviewers here feel the ending was a bit of a letdown. I totally disagree! The hairs on my arms stand up every time I see the films climax. I actually get goosebumps watching the final moments.
This is the kind of horror film that I like best (much like George C. Scotts The Changeling, also released around the same time). Watcher in the Woods is creepy and scary, yet not to the point that I wouldnt be able to sleep afterwards. This may not sound like a compliment (but it is), this is a great (safe) horror flick! It can be enjoyed by young teens and adults as well. It is on my list of my very favorite of films; I strongly recommend it!
On: 2007-11-12
Ive loved this movie ever since I saw its first release back in the early 1980s! It is, to me, the perfect type of horror flick. It is genuinely creepy without the overdose of profanity, blood, guts and gore so typical of todays genre films. The creepy atmosphere of the films location adds much to the suspense of the film. I would not spend one moment in the house in which they reside.
What I like about the film is the despair that Bette Davis character feels after losing her daughter without a trace some 25 years earlier. This is not just a horror flick, but a mystery film as well; every moment Ms. Davis is on screen her sadness is conveyed with skill. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, but in this films case she was not even afforded the simple knowledge of knowing what led to her daughter Karens disappearance. Actually, I like all of the performances in this film, although I think a few of the scenes feel a bit forced.
Another aspect that is quite effective are the use of wide angle lens whenever the "watcher" is present. All in all, each of the films elements including the sound and special effects add immensely to the creep-out factor of this movie. I noticed some of the other reviewers here feel the ending was a bit of a letdown. I totally disagree! The hairs on my arms stand up every time I see the films climax. I actually get goosebumps watching the final moments.
This is the kind of horror film that I like best (much like George C. Scotts The Changeling, also released around the same time). Watcher in the Woods is creepy and scary, yet not to the point that I wouldnt be able to sleep afterwards. This may not sound like a compliment (but it is), this is a great (safe) horror flick! It can be enjoyed by young teens and adults as well. It is on my list of my very favorite of films; I strongly recommend it!
On: 2007-10-02
This is a great scary movie that you can watch with your kids. The special effects are of course outdated, but it is still enjoyable.
by: shippermd On: 2007-09-29
THIS really IS THE version to watch! I watched this movie when a teen and never did the like the too-quick, non-resolved ending it gave. WELL...THIS version (the black and colored cover NOT the white cover)...has the 2 alternate endings that really RESOLVE the ending of the movie and explain tons more about the story! I personally LOVED them much better!
This version also has commentaries and a book with interviews with the actors, GREAT for Disney mystery-movie fans!
 On: 2007-08-15
This Disney thriller is unique, in that it may be one of the earliest attempts from the studio to do straight horror. That the film is a compromise is probably as much due to the climate of the times as it is to their reluctance to be too intense and frightening. A good supporting cast is unfortunately subjugated to the pretty but unimpressive Lynn Holly Johnson, whose performance doesnt quite convey the desperation or depth that might have made the film more compelling. Bette Davis seems curiously restrained. The film might be a good companion piece to "Burnt Offerings" another Davis film in which a family comes across a mansion thats "too good to be true" for a summer rental. "Watcher" is infamous for its aborted first release, in which the films finale was hastliy assembled. After negative reviews and some tampering, it was releasd again, but the damage had been done. This DVD version includes all three (!) endings to the movie, and this may be its biggest value for fans. The print is clean and the image sharp. I am guessing by all the positive reviews posted here that "Watcher in the Woods" was a sleepover favorite for young girls, and it still might serve that function, in that its a spooky movie without much to offend younger viewers. Ah, but what it might have been! Worth checking out for fans of Disney, of Johnson, Davis, and the genre, but this handsome little chiller somehow fails to register, despite some artful camerawork and earnest performances from the strong supporting cast.
On: 2007-08-15
Screenwriter Brian Clemens was responsible for much of what made the TV series "The Avengers" great, and his touch shows here.
Its too bad that nobody could decide precisely how to end this film, because up to there its a very nice atmospheric suspense/mild horror film, very much in the grand Hammer tradition. Quite a departure for Disney at the time.
Lynn Holly Johnson (who made about three films, playing an ice skater in two of them - wow what a stretch) is fine, and the rest of the cast are more than adequate, particularly the great Bette Davis as a Scary Old Lady With A Secret.*
Well worth while, though none of the alternate endings actually work perfectly; the books ending was a little tricky to translate to visuals, apparently.
*One touch i greatly appreciated when first i saw the film was that, for the flashback, they didnt try to find an 18-year-old who looked like the young Bette [or use make-up to make a young actress look like her], but rather they seem to have found someone who, years later might well look like Davis in her later years. A subtle distinction, but nicely done, and not nearly so takes-you-out-of-the-moment as going "Wow - that girl looks just like Davis did in Petrified Forest!"
On: 2007-04-04
The other versions dont include all the bonuses this one has. Even if youre not interested in the directors commentary and such, you will be interested in the strange and creepy alternate endings that Disney first had attached to this film, endings you cannot see anywhere else unless you buy this discontinued version.
Well worth it. :)
On: 2007-04-04
As a major lover of all things eighties, I was shocked when I recently heard of this movie in comparison with "Escape To Witch Mountain," one movie which Id seen as a child and was wanting to see again now, as an adult. But Id never even HEARD of "The Watcher In The Woods," so after seeing the many glowing reviews, I was determined to download it and see it as soon as humanly possible.
I just finished watching this excellently crafted movie from 1980 and must say, it REALLY stands the test of time. Though it actually feels set in the mid-Seventies (probably was filmed around 1978, which fits), it really holds up incredibly well close to thirty years later. It started off feeling quite a bit like a horror film, then started moving into territory closer to that of the recent gem "Pans Labyrinth," introducing a decidedly magical element that really got under my skin, and stayed there for the remainder of the movie.
I totally agree with another persons review stating that Disney really doesnt make films like this anymore. Its a shame, too, because they SHOULD. The way the world is these days, a little magic and spiritual feel injected into their movies could really help things and bring back some of the long-lost feeling of beauty and wonder in our lives. Though I never managed to see this film as a child, I cant help but imagine what a major influence this wouldve been on me if I HAD seen it back then. Its really a great movie, and its only a shame that Disney has wandered so far away from their original path of actively and passionately exploring our imaginations.
Fortunately we still have plenty of creative geniuses out there like Guillermo del Toro, Terry Gilliam, Darren Aronofsky and others who determinedly follow their hearts and continue to create stunningly passionate visions that simply and powerfully resonate within our souls. "The Watcher In The Woods" is one such vision, and although I wouldnt go so far as to call it a MASTERPIECE, its definitely a great piece of movie-making history, and one which I wouldnt hesitate to recommend to any fans of dark fantasy or magical fiction. [ Peace - Love - Unity - Respect ]
by: Anonymous On: 2007-03-21
Yes, this is an "eerie" movie. Yes, some scenes will give you the creeps. But you can enjoy it without being scared. Look at it this way;
!SPOILER WARNING! The "Ghost" is good( it saves peoples lives), nobody dies, there are no "badguys," and nothing bad happened to Karen(Katherine Levy.) I found it entertaining, with just the right amount of scaryness. I hope you do to!
I recommend Disneys "Child of Glass" to anyone who liked this movie.
On: 2007-01-31
Watch for those Eyes - Bettes - shes looking - are you? between the sheets? The Watcher is not always in the wood - Ive seen this movie at least 3 times throughout my life and still have not quite figured out (let alone remembered) how it is resolved at the end - and it doesnt matter - its the Way, The Journey there, the tale told that grips and touches the watcher (on the couch) - having first seen this film in the movie theater when it came out (I was about 12), a distinct sense of nostalgia is there for me when watching it - (and back then, was in the movies with my 2 younger sisters - my Mother was shocked that Disney would make such a scary film... *G* my poor sisters... apparently had nightmares for days/wks. afterwards... *G*) I know I was damn frightened in the big, ole movie theatre in Toronto...
Enjoy the slowness, the subtly growing puzzlement - a riddle whose answer only the Watcher knows (I keep forgetting it... )
On: 2007-01-30
Watch for those Eyes - Bettes - shes looking - are you? between the sheets? The Watcher is not always in the wood - Ive seen this movie at least 3 times throughout my life and still have not quite figured out (let alone remembered) how it is resolved at the end - and it doesnt matter - its the Way, The Journey there, the tale told that grips and touches the watcher (on the couch) - having first seen this film in the movie theater when it came out (I was about 12), a distinct sense of nostalgia is there for me when watching it - (and back then, was in the movies with my 2 younger sisters - my Mother was shocked that Disney would make such a scary film... *G* my poor sisters... apparently had nightmares for days/wks. afterwards... *G*) I know I was damn frightened in the big, ole movie theatre in Toronto...
Enjoy the slowness, the subtly growing puzzlement - a riddle whose answer only the Watcher knows (I keep forgetting it... )
 On: 2007-01-08
This is a total disaster!, not only was it not scary, the acting was sub-par, to see a star such as Betty in a turkey like this, was heart breaking! she deserved a much better exit than this junk of a film, the ending was as stupid as any film I have seen, I cant believe all the high rating it is getting, oh well, just because Betty was in it didnt make it a great film.
On: 2006-11-06
John Hough of the "Witch Mountain" movies directs the other Richards sister, Kyle, in this short but suspenseful 1 hr 22 minute movie. For a Disney flick, there are a couple of "jump out of your seat" moments.
Bette Davis is formidable as usual and Lynn-Holly Johnson does a great job, but its Kyle Richards who essentially steals the show, sublimely transitioning from innocent little sister to taking on another voice. If you notice the timing of the movie, it came out shortly after the Exorcist and the Shining. Therefore, there are few elements in Watcher in the Woods that pays a bit of homage to these flicks like writing backwards on mirrors. Of course, Hough had to keep the spook factor to a family-friendly minimum. Other highlights of this movie, is the camera angle used to enhance the effect of the main characters being "watched".
This is, by far, Disneys edgiest film. Yet, its still clean enough to be family entertainment. Unlike the "Witch Mountain" films, "Watcher" has few special effects but are nonethelesss key to the story and the suspense.
The DVD doesnt offer any behind-the-scenes commentaries, but it does offer two alternate endings which are not too different from each other. They are somewhat hokey and seem to take away from the suspenseful and mysterious tone of the film. The ending that was chosen for the film is much better suited: simple, surprising and very effective.
A short film with a neat story.
On: 2006-10-31
I watched this movie for the first time with my 8-year-old. We loved it. It has just enough mood music and wind to make it seem scary, but it has a happy ending. If your child has outgrown "Charlie Brown" Halloween and are looking for the next step in Halloween entertainment, try this.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-10-29
This movie is really suspenseful and intriguing until like so many movies of the genre it falls apart in the last twenty minutes or so. Even though it is a Disney film it is not really suitable for real young kids but is a perfect choice for those ten and up. There are some fairly chilling sequences and a few scenes that may make the viewer jump but it is pretty much family friendly fare for older kids and grown ups. The ending which brings a science fiction element into what had previously been a well made haunted house movie is quite jarring and almost but not quite ruins this otherwise well made film.
On: 2006-10-25
An English-American family rent a summer home in the English countryside, enabling the father/musician to work on his upcoming opera. As luck would have it, their landlady/neighbor is the reclusive old woman known as Miss Aylwood, played with conviction by the legendary Bette Davis, who appears to be slightly eccentric and rather mysterious. Soon, strange dreams, strange visions, near-death accidents, the appearance of a mysterious girl-in-white, and an unsettling feeling of being watched coming from the woods next to the familys house, all begin to occur. Just what does this loving family have in store for them this summer?
One of Disneys first non-G-rated productions is rather enjoyable, if not rather hokey. Nonetheless, it does a fine job in maintaining a gloomy atmosphere, which no doubt heightens its suspense level. Altogether, a fine little Disney ghost story which should satisfy the kids (and the kid in us all) on Halloween night.
On: 2006-09-24
This was one of my favourite movies when it came out. It introduced me to suspense/thriller/horror movies, which I still love. This movie is timeless. I suppose its Disneys darkest and creepiest movies; I wish they had made more movies like this. Its clean, the acting is clever, the plot is superb, and the whole family can watch it. Very few suspense movies are family friendly. Kudos to Disney for the fine job on this movie.
On: 2006-09-23
This was one of my favourite movies when it came out. It introduced me to suspense/thriller/horror movies, which I still love. This movie is timeless. I suppose its Disneys darkest and creepiest movies; I wish they had made more movies like this. Its clean, the acting is clever, the plot is superb, and the whole family can watch it. Very few suspense movies are family friendly. Kudos to Disney for the fine job on this movie.
On: 2006-09-17
The strength of this movie lies in its subtle sense of forboding.....Betty Davis was excellent and I would have loved to have seen her on screen more than she was...the woods of course plays a tremendous role. It contains an eery feel and an all-knowing sense. The gothic-lite style suits the movie perfectly. Excellent story, excellent premise, well done all the way around.
On: 2006-06-05
Rare scary movie! How else do you describe a movie that haunts you and your sibling for 2 decades? The best part is how they do it...my little brother couldnt believe when he fessed up about it just recently and I told him Disney did it! The strangest part is they made it so scary and it had no blood, guts, gore, murder...NOT at all the typical movie you would expect to leave you with such an eerie feeling. Highly reccommend for anyone at any age who wants a change from the usual killing and blood soaked suspenses...but especially families, babysitters, and slumber parties-just be prepared for the little ones to not want to sleep alone.
by: Anonymous On: 2006-03-24
"The Watcher in the Woods" is a first rate suspense movie that can also be enjoyed by young viewers, thanks to the films creators at Disney. Lynn Holly Johnson teams up with Kyle Richards (Kim Richards real life sister) as sisters that move into an English mansion with their parents for the summer. Strange things begin to happen, even on the day that theyre moving in. Lynn is determined to unravel the mystery that is beginning to haunt her and Kyle. Bette Davis co-stars as a mysterious elderly lady that lives in the guesthouse of the estate, and Lynn soon discovers that all of the supernatural phenomenon thats been occurring surrounds the disappearance of Davis long lost daughter. The dvd has a nice clean transfer and great audio. Special features include the films original trailer and a nice addition of alternate endings to the film. Also of special merit, is the co-starring of Carroll Baker (Baby Doll, Giant, The Carpetbaggers) as Lynn and Kyles mother. I highly recommend "The Watcher in the Woods" to fans of suspense and the supernatural, and especially to Disney live-action film enthusiasts. Its not scary enough to give you nightmares by no means, however, its very entertaining and a nice addition to any Disney or suspense collectors dvd library.
On: 2006-03-23
"The Watcher in the Woods" is a first rate suspense movie that can also be enjoyed by young viewers, thanks to the films creators at Disney. Lynn Holly Johnson teams up with Kyle Richards (Kim Richards real life sister) as sisters that move into an English mansion with their parents for the summer. Strange things begin to happen, even on the day that theyre moving in. Lynn is determined to unravel the mystery that is beginning to haunt her and Kyle. Bette Davis co-stars as a mysterious elderly lady that lives in the guesthouse of the estate, and Lynn soon discovers that all of the supernatural phenomenon thats been occurring surrounds the disappearance of Davis long lost daughter. The dvd has a nice clean transfer and great audio. Special features include the films original trailer and a nice addition of alternate endings to the film. Also of special merit, is the co-starring of Carroll Baker (Baby Doll, Giant, The Carpetbaggers) as Lynn and Kyles mother. I highly recommend "The Watcher in the Woods" to fans of suspense and the supernatural, and especially to Disney live-action film enthusiasts. Its not scary enough to give you nightmares by no means, however, its very entertaining and a nice addition to any Disney or suspense collectors dvd library.
by: indigbubb On: 2005-12-21
This movie as a child terrified me. I decided to watch it again a couple of years ago. Its amazing what I imagined the movie was as a child. I had my brother who was eight watch it with me. He was terrified and began to cry.We kept wondering what was up with that girl who was blind folded. Seeing that girl in the mirror and Betty Davis eyebrows still freak me out. The only thing that was off was the ending. What a disapointment, however the rest is bone chilling. All through the movie me and my brother asked did Betty Davis kill the girl? Any way its worth watching, and is way to scary to be only rated G. It might be to scary for children under eight.
On: 2005-11-25
I showed this movie at my slumber party when I was 10 or 11 and all of us were so freaked out! Ive seen it as an adult and the power to scare is still there. The movie has all the elements of a good scare fest: a big house, a dark lonely woods, a creepy lady living next door. Then the girls start seeing things and hearing things. Why? The mystery of it all is the best part. Its such a unique movie; the concept/idea hasnt been repeated since. If you want a good mystery & you want to be spooked, rent this!
On: 2005-09-03
Watcher in the Woods scared the willies out of me when I was young, and I remember it still being creepy in my teens. I want to report that it has stood the test of time and is STILL creepy in my twenties! Not only that, I watched this with five younger sisters-in-law, ages 11-16, and they loved it! It scared the youngest one so she hid under a blanket for parts, but in a good way! The good thing about this movie is that it manages to be really scary while still being clean--no blood, no gore, no swearing or nudity... The alternate endings on the DVD show that you can explain what happens in several ways, but the original leaves it somewhat to your interpretation, which is very effective. I would try to get the older DVD, as it was done by another company (not Disney) and is more objective about the making of the movie. I hear that the newer Disney version took out some of the extras, and it doesnt have the interviews with the cast that the older copy does.
On: 2005-09-02
Watcher in the Woods scared the willies out of me when I was young, and I remember it still being creepy in my teens. I want to report that it has stood the test of time and is STILL creepy in my twenties! Not only that, I watched this with five younger sisters-in-law, ages 11-16, and they loved it! It scared the youngest one so she hid under a blanket for parts, but in a good way! The good thing about this movie is that it manages to be really scary while still being clean--no blood, no gore, no swearing or nudity... The alternate endings on the DVD show that you can explain what happens in several ways, but the original leaves it somewhat to your interpretation, which is very effective. I would try to get the older DVD, as it was done by another company (not Disney) and is more objective about the making of the movie. I hear that the newer Disney version took out some of the extras, and it doesnt have the interviews with the cast that the older copy does.
On: 2005-03-31
I pre-ordered the Anchor Bay Release a few years ago based on the reviews of others...Honestly, I really wanted to like the movie. It was pretty good until the end, when it really defies to explain itself...A bit of a let down...However, the Anchor Bay folks really did a nice presentation with the release, and their were some quite interesting extras, including the booklet inside with interviews of some of the stars of the movie.
by: broadway_byron On: 2005-03-15
Based on the novel by Florence Engel Randall, THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS is a finely-crafted Disney thriller with Bette Davis and a great cast.
The story is about an English-American family (David McCallum, Carroll Baker, Lynn-Holly Johnson and Kyle Richards) who move into a creepy mansion in the English countryside. The estate also includes Mrs Aylwood (Bette Davis) who acts as a caretaker of sorts. Mrs Aylwoods daughter Karen mysteriously died in a fire many years ago and she has never really come to terms with her grief.
Once the new family moves in, strange things begin to occur. Eldest daughter Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson - ICE CASTLES) senses something watching her, and starts seeing a blindfolded girl in mirrors. Younger daughter Ellie (Kyle Richards) adopts a little dog and calls it Nerak (Karen spelled backwards). Everything that happens seems to lead back to Karen Aylwood and her mysterious death. Jan and Ellie join Mrs Aylwood in a race against time to stop the hauntings and hopefully find out what really happened that fateful night...
Bette Davis gives a mesmerizing performance as Mrs Aylwood (with Georgina Hale also fine as the younger Davis during the flashback sequence). David McCallum sadly doesnt get much to do as the father, though Carroll Baker impresses in her relatively-small role as the mother. Lynn-Holly Johnson (following her breakout role as Lexie in ICE CASTLES) is a knockout as Jan and Kyle Richards is just plain spooky as Ellie.
Filmed entirely on location in England, the tense and eerie atmosphere is perfectly carried throughout the whole movie. Also featuring Eleanor Summerfield, Ian Bannen, Richard Pasco, Frances Cuka, Benedict Taylor and Katherine Levy.
On: 2004-11-21
Picture: Seven little girls, strewn on the couch in pajamad glory, eyes wide, faces frozen in suspense. Two girls on the end of the couch, popcorn unnoticed, terrified beyond their wits.
I dont about the rest of the world, but for two best freinds at age 9, this movie was a life-changing event. For years after viewing this film, we could not stop retelling it over and over to relive the delightful chill. I gasped in horrer when my mother, unknowingly, bought me a large, round mirror for my room, just knowing that one day I would look into it and see a little girl gesturing for help. My friend and I wouldnt go into the woods even during the day, in a group. I still wont go into amusement houses.
by: has_his_own_corner On: 2004-11-19
It seems unlikely that "Watcher in the Woods" would be made for theatrical release today. While the movie may be frightening for younger audiences, it is but spooky for older audiences and the ending has a little bit of weakness, even with the re-vamping indicated by the alternative endings provided on the DVD.
Lynn-Holly Johnson, whose most notable roles were in "Ice Castles" with Robbie Benson and the Bond film "For Your Eyes Only," little sister Kyle Richards and their family move to a beautiful English country home when their father, played by David McCallum of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and "The Invisible Man" television series fame, is transferred to England. The family soon encounters ever-eerie Bette Davis as an appropriately scary old lady who does little speaking but looks at the new family intently (and an intent look from Bette Davis in her latter years was always scary). It takes a while for Lynn-Holly Johnson to learn why Davis, playing Mrs. Aylwood, looks at her so intently.
It takes very little time for strange things to start happening to little sister Kyle Richards, who was also on the television series "Little House on the Prairie." Kyle writes "Nerak" on a window and names her dog the same, not realizing that Nerak has a very special meaning to Mrs. Aylwood. Kyle writes on mirrors and says strange things. Lynn-Holly Johnson hears strange voices and has visual hallucinations, which are also eerie and just shy of being scary.
The suspense in this movie is increased slowly but steadily to the climax, when we learn the secret of three people who met in an abandoned church many years earlier, and even then we wonder at the plot twist Disney put into the end of the picture.
The pre-digital age special effects are seamless and effective. This movie maximized the use of minimal special effects to create a movie that is just shy of being scary for adult audiences, but is eerie and spooky to the end. There are a couple of moments when I was concerned that Lynn-Holly Johnson might be harmed when I was still unsure of whether the ghost or whatever it was evil. The "possessions" of younger sister Kyle Richards were even spookier, especially because she seemed to be unaware of each time she did something under the control of the other being. The most effective and perhaps one of the weirdest moments in the movie is when Kyle is speaking under the control of something when she enters the church near the end of the movie. The style of her speaking is effective and is probably one of the high points of the movie.
Included on this DVD are two alternate endings. One is a bit more than 13 minutes long and the other is just over 6 minutes long. Watch the long alternate ending, then the shorter one, and then that used in the movie, and you can see the logic the producer used in modifying the ending.
In the original ending the plot has an interesting creature that distracts rather than enhances the plot. There are more details added in regarding this being that change the tenor of the movie in a much less effective manner than the final version. The shorter version retained a portion of the much longer version, but again the ending distracts rather than enhances the movie. The final version where the unknown is used to the point where the nature of Kyles possession is revealed is the most effective version. One other problem with both the alternate endings is Bette Daviss over-the-top acting, which caused a lot of laughs. The final version was more effective.
This movie pushes the envelope of what it means to be a Disney made movie, which are stereotypically family oriented. Later Disney created other studios to produce films that were unsuitable for all or most family members and resolved the problem of how to make more intense movies. However, this movie is suitable for most children above the age of 8 or 9 and for some more mature younger children. There are few moments of any real danger, but those few moments and the overall eerie feeling of the movie can cause nightmares for some children.
The DVD also includes trailers, and there appeared to me to be at least a portion of the movie that did not make the final version in at least one of the trailers.
While this movie has some weak points, the overall style is like that of the short-live television series "American Gothic," though much less violent and bloody, and fans of that style or those looking for a relatively family friendly ghost story will find this movie to be worth watching and owning.
On: 2004-11-18
[...]
You start out with a ghost story and you end up with "What the f"k?" I was okay with about an hour and ten minutes of this movie. It was the last ten minutes that i cant accept.
Basic setup, a family moves into an old house or manor, whatever youd like to call the large thing. The two daughters begin to tap into the spirits around the place. The oldest daughter seeing images of the girl who was lost long ago while the younger daughter gets used as a channeling board for the spirits.
A good mystery is developed, only to fall apart in the end. I felt mind raped straight through my ear. I kept coming up with possibilities for what it might be and what it was i never would have guessed, mainly because i wasnt pitching from the parking lot. The idea the story ended with wasnt even on the movies playing field.
The directors commentary offered no insight into this. All he did was tell how a shot was done, tell you what was going on in a scene (which you could tell by WATCHING the damn thing!), or bitch about his ending being better than the one they went with. The dvd i had had "two" alternate endings on it but they were pretty much the same thing. ###And for some reason the actress they had playing the grown up little girl looked like a man in a wig???###
I realized later that this movie was based off of a book, which i suppose lets the director off the hook for not telling me why the ending of the movie was so different. Perhaps the book did a better job at transitioning the reader from one aspect of the story to the next because this movie just throws it at you and expects you to catch it, even if you dont have any hands.
This entire paragraph is a ### so you might wanna skip it. The idea behind Karens dissapearance is that these young people, playing what i assumed was a prank because they were initiating her into their group, was actually some kind of witchcraft...somehow. The youngest girl comes in at the end, possesed by The Watcher. Turns out Karen was sucked into an alternate dimension and switched places with this Watcher, whatever it is. Oh wait, its some kind of alien! The deleted endings show this creature which is quite menacing. Its just the idea of this character, after expecting a ghost story and getting an alien, that i have a problem with. The alternate endings also try to explain what happened to Karen, adding in things about negative energies and whatnot which really only make the idea more retarded. Explaining the specifics breifly (as the possessed little girl does) was the best route. I thought perhaps whoever wrote the book had an episode of Star Trek on in the background when writing this ending and decided that was a cool idea to go with.###
For the most part i have no problem referring this movie. Just know that the payoff in the end leaves quite a bit to be desired. Oh and some of the acting is horrible. I swear the one guy had to be drunk the whole time they were shooting this movie!
On: 2004-11-17
[...]
You start out with a ghost story and you end up with "What the f"k?" I was okay with about an hour and ten minutes of this movie. It was the last ten minutes that i cant accept.
Basic setup, a family moves into an old house or manor, whatever youd like to call the large thing. The two daughters begin to tap into the spirits around the place. The oldest daughter seeing images of the girl who was lost long ago while the younger daughter gets used as a channeling board for the spirits.
A good mystery is developed, only to fall apart in the end. I felt mind raped straight through my ear. I kept coming up with possibilities for what it might be and what it was i never would have guessed, mainly because i wasnt pitching from the parking lot. The idea the story ended with wasnt even on the movies playing field.
The directors commentary offered no insight into this. All he did was tell how a shot was done, tell you what was going on in a scene (which you could tell by WATCHING the damn thing!), or bitch about his ending being better than the one they went with. The dvd i had had "two" alternate endings on it but they were pretty much the same thing. ###And for some reason the actress they had playing the grown up little girl looked like a man in a wig???###
I realized later that this movie was based off of a book, which i suppose lets the director off the hook for not telling me why the ending of the movie was so different. Perhaps the book did a better job at transitioning the reader from one aspect of the story to the next because this movie just throws it at you and expects you to catch it, even if you dont have any hands.
This entire paragraph is a ### so you might wanna skip it. The idea behind Karens dissapearance is that these young people, playing what i assumed was a prank because they were initiating her into their group, was actually some kind of witchcraft...somehow. The youngest girl comes in at the end, possesed by The Watcher. Turns out Karen was sucked into an alternate dimension and switched places with this Watcher, whatever it is. Oh wait, its some kind of alien! The deleted endings show this creature which is quite menacing. Its just the idea of this character, after expecting a ghost story and getting an alien, that i have a problem with. The alternate endings also try to explain what happened to Karen, adding in things about negative energies and whatnot which really only make the idea more retarded. Explaining the specifics breifly (as the possessed little girl does) was the best route. I thought perhaps whoever wrote the book had an episode of Star Trek on in the background when writing this ending and decided that was a cool idea to go with.###
For the most part i have no problem referring this movie. Just know that the payoff in the end leaves quite a bit to be desired. Oh and some of the acting is horrible. I swear the one guy had to be drunk the whole time they were shooting this movie!
by: Anonymous On: 2004-11-08
I really enjoyed this movie/DVD (I saw it on VHS). I was on the edge of my seat after 10 minutes into the movie. It was one of the scariest movies Ive seen. It was really the music that got to me. It wasnt a BOO! kind of movie. I would recommend this movie to people who like movies with scenes that make you jump and scream really loud. (When I saw this with all of my friends, they were screaming pretty loud, and most of them fell off their seats.)
On: 2004-11-07
I really enjoyed this movie/DVD (I saw it on VHS). I was on the edge of my seat after 10 minutes into the movie. It was one of the scariest movies Ive seen. It was really the music that got to me. It wasnt a BOO! kind of movie. I would recommend this movie to people who like movies with scenes that make you jump and scream really loud. (When I saw this with all of my friends, they were screaming pretty loud, and most of them fell off their seats.) The ending, though, was a little flat; it wasnt scary like the other parts of the movie.
On: 2004-10-18
This 1980 Disney flick was rumored to have been shelved on its initial test screening why or if this is true is beyond my knowledge.
When a family of four move into a spooky new home owned by none other than Betty Davis strange things begin to happen to the two children both teenage girls.
Of course being that this is a Disney film of an era when kids no matter how scared out of their wits they were had a tendency to investigate and solve capers and strange occurences start snooping about while the local residents appear ominous and cryptic yet reluctant in the end to deny said girls any and all info needed to aid them in their quest for the truth.
So the teenage girls the eldest of the two being a wholesome beauty with feathered blonde hair overact and mug and of course try to figure how just who or what The Watcher In The Wood is and if Davis daughter 30 years missing have anything to do with one another.
All in all this is some chee-z stuff but the atmosphere and direction however light the film intended its scares to be comes off un offensive and surprisingly watchable.
Likely to terrify the poop out of even the most jaded of youngsters in this day and age.
Good stuff!!!
On: 2004-10-17
This 1980 Disney flick was rumored to have been shelved on its initial test screening why or if this is true is beyond my knowledge.
When a family of four move into a spooky new home owned by none other than Betty Davis strange things begin to happen to the two children both teenage girls.
Of course being that this is a Disney film of an era when kids no matter how scared out of their wits they were had a tendency to investigate and solve capers and strange occurences start snooping about while the local residents appear ominous and cryptic yet reluctant in the end to deny said girls any and all info needed to aid them in their quest for the truth.
So the teenage girls the eldest of the two being a wholesome beauty with feathered blonde hair overact and mug and of course try to figure how just who or what The Watcher In The Wood is and if Davis daughter 30 years missing have anything to do with one another.
All in all this is some chee-z stuff but the atmosphere and direction however light the film intended its scares to be comes off un offensive and surprisingly watchable.
Likely to terrify the poop out of even the most jaded of youngsters in this day and age.
Good stuff!!!
by: cookieman108 On: 2004-09-17
Perhaps the watcher in the woods is a female? If so, am Im not saying it is, I wonder if shes got Bette Davis eyes? Get it? Watcher? Eyes? The Kim Carnes song? A bad joke? Yes it was, but I was stumped for a way to start my review, and inspiration seems to have failed me yet again...The Watcher in the Woods (1981), released by Disney, directed by Englishman John Hough, who also did Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) Return from Witch Mountain (1978), and a couple of episodes for television program Hammer House of Mystery, stars Bette Davis, Lynn-Holly Johnson, who also appeared in films like Ice Castles (1978) and the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only (1981) (the early 80s were pretty good for Johnson, but her career has since taken a detour in the land of the B movies), and Kyle Richards, who started out on the television show Little House on the Prairie, but then moved to major horror features appearing in The Car aka Deathmobile, John Carpenters Halloween, and its sequel Halloween II. Also appearing are Carroll Baker (Baba Yaga) and David McCallum, probably most known as secret agent Illya Kuryakin from the popular 60s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The film begins with an American family, recently re-located to England, looking for a home. McCallum plays the father, Baker the mother, and Johnson and Richards as the two daughters. They find a real deal in an old English manor, owned by a peculiar old woman named Mrs. Alywood (Davis), who happens to live in a smaller house on the property, and is very particular about who rents the larger house, but, on meeting Jan (Johnson), and her younger sister Ellie (Richards), she agrees to allow the family to rent the place. Even before the family moves in, Jan has uneasy feelings about the place, almost like shes being watched (hence the title), and soon afterwards, begins experiencing strange and odd visions, visions regarding Mrs. Alywoods long, lost daughter, missing now for some 30 years. As the visions progress to other, more intense supernatural phenomena, Jan feels compelled to learn the true nature of whats happening to her and her sister, and also to learn the truth about Mrs. Alywoods missing daughter. What terrible secrets does she uncover? Who is the watcher in the woods? Whys that Mrs. Alywood so very creepy? Answers to these questions and more are forthcoming, if you care to watch...(who watches the watcher? I did, and it was pretty good...)
When I purchased this film, I didnt know it was a Disney release. As another reviewer already stated, Disney had an odd period there for awhile, releasing films that didnt necessarily seem very Disney-like, like this film. I actually liked the movie a lot, as it was very suspenseful and I honestly could not figure out the ending until it was revealed. I will admit I found myself somewhat attracted to Johnson, and it felt odd as she seemed to be presented as someone in her teens, but in reality, she was in her early 20s at the time this was filmed, so I felt a lot less creepy. I did think she seemed a bit too old for her part, and after checking on her age, my feelings were confirmed. All the actors did very well, and given their collected past acting experiences, I wasnt surprised. Whoever casted this film did very well, choosing highly capable and experienced actors. Johnsons character did become a bit of a pest as the film worn on, especially as she tries to uncover the dark secrets that now seem to plague her and her sister in visions and the odd possession or two. Davis character seemed a bit weak and two dimensional, but one is willing to cut the woman some slack, given her body of work, and those very creepy eyes. The sets and location shots all added a great deal to the story, providing a wonderful backdrop to the story. I did find it kind of annoying when Johnsons character kept looking out various windows, as if she could see whatever strange force keeps causing the wee hairs on the back of her neck to stand up...The script was very well done, and tended to focus on the important elements, keeping the viewer in the thick of things. The plot moved along very slowly, almost excruciatingly so, but it did allow for the viewer to ponder and develop their own theories, which will most likely be wrong, as I was...the ending in this film was so very oddly fantastic I doubt I would have ever figured it out on my own. Some may have already given it away in reviews here, which is too bad, as its pretty mind-boggling. It really seemed to come from nowhere, but did provide a satisfactory, if highly unusual conclusion.
The wide screen print here is very clear and sharp, along with the audio, although the DTS track on the earlier Anchor Bay release (now out of print) is missing here. There are a few extras on this official Walt Disney Home Video release (although less than there were on the pervious Anchor Bay release), including two alternate endings well worth checking out, and two trailers. After watching the alternate endings, I would think they werent used maybe because they would have been too frightening to younger viewers, or too goofy for older viewers. The ending used in the final product, compared to the alternates, seems the best route to have been taken. Overall, this is a very good thriller, one that forsakes visceral elements for story and genuine suspense. It moves a bit slow, but does reward at the end. It is a Disney film, but probably not one for very young viewers, as it could cause nightmares and the subsequent staining of the sheets.
Cookieman108
by: Anonymous On: 2004-06-20
Two young girls and their family move into a big old mansion with an interesting past!!!I remeber watching this as a child and just being absolutely fascinated and frightened. It is so fun and suspenseful and scary! I would reccomend this for age 9 and up for a super scary slumber party or nightime movie!! I cannot wait for my seven year old to get old enough to watch it, but right now she is too prone to nightmares after semi scary movies! Also recommend, "The Labrynth" for a fifth grade slumber party movie! Oh the memories!
On: 2004-04-27
The Out-of-Print Anchor Bay version of the WATCHER IN THE WOODS DVD is up there with the first, one-day release of the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (w/the original ending) as the Holy Grails of DVD collectors.This version has two Alternate Endings which has more special F/X, explains the story better and actually shows what the Watcher in the Woods looks like (the original version you never actually see the Watcher or know its origins). The alternate endings also make more sense (as we follow Jan going into the other Watchers Homeworld and bringing the unaged Karen back). The movie itself is so-so, but the special features in this rare DVD find makes it worth it.
On: 2004-02-29
When my parents bought their first VCR, I was allowed to rent any Disney movie I wanted. I chose this one, and I had nightmares for YEARS. There are very scary, abrupt images of a trapped, blindfolded girl in random mirros--frightening for a child. It is a very, very creepy film. Parent should preview it before showing it to children 10 and under.
On: 2004-02-21
If youve looked at my reviews, you know that I have an affection for Rod Serling. Most of my favorite films are Twilight Zone types of stories and this one is no exception.Disney has fluctuated between outstanding animated features and some very good live-action films. At one point, the studio lost some of its direction (after Walt died, by the way), and the animation became less than perfect, the live-action films strayed from being family classics (in the sense of Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller, etc.) and called up a darker side of the studio. This story, along with Black Hole, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Child of Glass, is of that era, or should I say, flavor. All four films are not your standard Disney fare. Of them, only Child of Glass remains in the vault, possibly because it was made for television, rather than for the theater. It is well worth looking for and hopefully the studio will release it some day in the future. Back to the present. This one is due for rerelease in August, 2004. I have it on DVD and as a one-time video store employee, I would recommend it for someone who wanted to see something different in the way of suspense and horror. And, like the good suspense film it is, it does not resort to violence, but a collection of oddities which seem more surreal and strange than supernatural. Ironically, the original release (and the Anchor Bay DVD has all the alternate endings and other goodies - I cant speak to the new release) has one of the strangest twists at the end that one can imagine. Thank you Disney for doing it this way, instead one of the alternatives, for it truly remains the best approach, even if the FX needed to pull off the other approaches had been available and perfected. This is the best and it turns out to be something different! Science Fiction. Huh? Yes. The ending is purely science fiction in nature and scope. Something that you wouldnt expect given the gothic setting of the story and yet, that is exactly what it is. I wont reveal how, but not one customer came back and disagreed with me after watching the film. A note on my rating. Normally, I would have given this five stars, but after watching this a couple of times, I found Hollys voice to wear thin and grate on my nerves. As the story progresses, her voice correctly shows the tension that she is developing as the mystery deepens. It reaches a shrillness that is seldome used as she approaches her own breaking point. Unfortunately, the increasing shrillness works only with the alternate endings. With repeated watchings (it isnt noticeable in the first watching) it fails to work well with the selected ending, even though the ending was the best choice as I mentioned earlier. It is unfortunate that the studio didnt go back and remix her voice to correct the problem, but they were running out of time once the producers realized they couldnt pull off the original ending. As I mentioned, you probably wont notice the problem on your first, or even second watching, but it is there. One final word. Even on the third and forth watchings, I still tended to jump out of surprise... and thats something thats a rarity.
On: 2004-02-20
If youve looked at my reviews, you know that I have an affection for Rod Serling. Most of my favorite films are Twilight Zone types of stories and this one is no exception.Disney has fluctuated between outstanding animated features and some very good live-action films. At one point, the studio lost some of its direction (after Walt died, by the way), and the animation became less than perfect, the live-action films strayed from being family classics (in the sense of Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller, etc.) and called up a darker side of the studio. This story, along with Black Hole, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and Child of Glass, is of that era, or should I say, flavor. All four films are not your standard Disney fare. Of them, only Child of Glass remains in the vault, possibly because it was made for television, rather than for the theater. It is well worth looking for and hopefully the studio will release it some day in the future. Back to the present. This one is due for rerelease in August, 2004. I have it on DVD and as a one-time video store employee, I would recommend it for someone who wanted to see something different in the way of suspense and horror. And, like the good suspense film it is, it does not resort to violence, but a collection of oddities which seem more surreal and strange than supernatural. Ironically, the original release (and the Anchor Bay DVD has all the alternate endings and other goodies - I cant speak to the new release) has one of the strangest twists at the end that one can imagine. Thank you Disney for doing it this way, instead one of the alternatives, for it truly remains the best approach, even if the FX needed to pull off the other approaches had been available and perfected. This is the best and it turns out to be something different! Science Fiction. Huh? Yes. The ending is purely science fiction in nature and scope. Something that you wouldnt expect given the gothic setting of the story and yet, that is exactly what it is. I wont reveal how, but not one customer came back and disagreed with me after watching the film. A note on my rating. Normally, I would have given this five stars, but after watching this a couple of times, I found Hollys voice to wear thin and grate on my nerves. As the story progresses, her voice correctly shows the tension that she is developing as the mystery deepens. It reaches a shrillness that is seldome used as she approaches her own breaking point. Unfortunately, the increasing shrillness works only with the alternate endings. With repeated watchings (it isnt noticeable in the first watching) it fails to work well with the selected ending, even though the ending was the best choice as I mentioned earlier. It is unfortunate that the studio didnt go back and remix her voice to correct the problem, but they were running out of time once the producers realized they couldnt pull off the original ending. As I mentioned, you probably wont notice the problem on your first, or even second watching, but it is there. One final word. Even on the third and forth watchings, I still tended to jump out of surprise... and thats something thats a rarity.
On: 2004-01-21
First the DVD review: DVD is awesome! This is everything, without question, a DVD should be! Studios shouldnt even consider releasing a movie on DVD unless it has extras like this one has! You get the following: THX Certified 1.85:1 Widescreen Enhanced Transfer, Commentary by director John Hough, 2 Alternate Endings, John Hough Bio, Theatrical Trailers & TV Spots, 20 page Booklet with Interviews, Rare Artwork, Stills, and a world class performance from Bette Davis!We have owned this movie since it came out on Disney home video back in the early 80s. Say what you want about Disney live action movies but without question the one thing you cant say is they are not original movies! There is just nothing else like old Disney live action movies! I LOVE them! Yes, this movie is scary! Now, about Anchor Bay. I appreciate the fact that Anchor Bay has put out a lot of the Disney live action movies. I really do! Without Anchor Bay we wouldnt have the DVD releases of not only this movie but The Cat From Outer Space, The Last Flight of Noahs Ark, The Black Hole, The Devil and Max Devlin, Condorman, and many more! My problem with them is these are very limited releases and go out of print at the speed of light! Why? I suspect either they didnt anticipate a demand for these great movies or they are trying to set a "you better get it now" standard for other DVD companies to follow. They would make more money if they just kept these DVDs available for longer than a year. Look at the release date on this DVD. April 2002. Cmon, what is THAT all about? Now, for those that missed or didnt even know this DVD was released they are forced to pay twice what it is worth. Sounds like the only people making money off this are the resellers and not Anchor Bay. You can go to the Anchor Bay website and send them an email and ask the same questions I pose here, but they will ignore you!
by: Anonymous On: 2004-01-17
I have loved this movie since the first time I saw it when I was about 7! I used to rent it from our local video store every time my parents would take me. I love scary movies and this is one of the best. The characters are unforgettable and Bette Davis is classic! I cant believe it came from Disney, but what the heck. Very enjoyable if scary is what youre looking for.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-11-04
Scared the holy crap out of me! More horrifying than Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Hailed as the scariest movie since Mary Poppins II - The Return of the Umbrella!
On: 2003-11-03
Scared the holy crap out of me! More horrifying than Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Hailed as the scariest movie since Mary Poppins II - The Return of the Umbrella!
On: 2003-10-04
When you hear that Disney Enterprises is going to make a horror movie for teens, you automatically think that it will be [bad] because that isnt at all what Disney is about. However, I was pleasently surprised with this gothic ghost story about a family who moves into a house whose grounds seem to be haunted by something who watches and that dwells in the surrounding woods. Bette Davis is very good in her role as the landlady whose daughter was "killed" years ago in a bizarre, unexplainable accident. Lynn Holly-Johnson is good enough I guess, but her acting needs a little bit of a touch up. Surprisingly, this film is creepy is some spots, but alot of the time it just seems boring and predictable. Overall this is a fairly decent film, though a tad on the average side of horror films (well, what can you expect, its Disney horror!). The ending was a little disappointing.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-10-03
This movie is a greatest suspense film I have ever seen!I remember seeing this movie in the 2nd grade in the mid-80s on video and it haunted me for many years. I recently saw it again with a friend in college and we were both freaked out! This movie has a great cast, a thoughtful director, and a wonderful plot. The movie has a great pace, and it keeps you interested. I especially appreciate the early 80s feel of the film. It is an especially scary movie because it has an uncontrollable supernatural element. To this day, I sometimes am scared to see a blind-folded girl reaching out to me in the mirror! The lines, "Nearly too late ... hardly ever happens," and the name Narek will stick with you once you watch this movie!
On: 2003-08-20
Like a lot of reviewers, I saw this as a child with my mother. She was a horror fan so I got to see all the 80s thrillers in the cinema.
This film still stands in my mind. It has a great atmosphere about it. The great Bette Davis stars and is as wonderful as always.
It may look cheesy by todays standards, but they dont make movies like this anymore. An old fashioned ghost story without gore and violence. Just good creepy fun.
On: 2003-08-19
Like a lot of reviewers, I saw this as a child with my mother. She was a horror fan so I got to see all the 80s thrillers in the cinema.
This film still stands in my mind. It has a great atmosphere about it. The great Bette Davis stars and is as wonderful as always.
It may look cheesy by todays standards, but they dont make movies like this anymore. An old fashioned ghost story without gore and violence. Just good creepy fun.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-07-05
Ok this movie traumatized me as a 5 year old girl. I cant believe it was made by Disney. I used to have nightmares about it. Betty Davis is by far the scariest character in this movie, especially when you think shes going to drown Jans little sister in the pond. Also the scene where they show how Karen died was freaky. I watched this years later in my twenties and it was totally corny and cheesy. There were even parts that made me laugh like crazy. Please parents, dont let your young kids watch this. This aint no Disney Saturday Night at the Movies kind of deal.
by: thomsirveux On: 2003-06-26
Initially planned for a 1980 opening, The Watcher in the Woods was released for a few screenings and it was not well received. The ending in particular earned a lot of criticisms, so producers stuck the movie on a shelf and went about reshooting a few alternative conclusions. Regardless of these changes, audiences and critics did not embrace the movie and it died a quick box-office death. It wasnt until several years later - when the film hit home video - that more fans began to crop up, most of them citing fond childhood memories of a creepy flick. The controversy surrounding the films difficult birth only added fuel to the fanbase fire, which is just one of the reasons that this Anchor Bay DVD is a long overdue sight for the hardcore fans. The plot is a family-friendly pastiche of nighttime creaks, forest-bound shivers, past-life problems, and ghostly messages. Hollywood legend Bette Davis plays Mrs. Aylwood, a kindly-yet-creepy old lady who rents her massive estate to a friendly American family. The Watcher in the Woods is an intermittently creepy and quite well photographed piece of "gothic lite", but newcomers to this movie may struggle through the movies numerous slow spots and ponderous pacing. The screenplay (based on the novel by Florence Engel Randall) sets up a few provocative ideas, but theyre rarely followed up in satisfying style. Most of the acting performances are essentially wooden, with Ms. Davis turning in a glorified cameo that doesnt leave much of an impression. On the whole, The Watcher in the Woods isnt a really bad movie; its just a bit too safe and more than a little drab. Fans of old-fashioned, atmospheric ghost tales will undoubtedly forgive the films obvious faults more than others might, but even they will have a hard time generating much enthusiasm for the movie. To call this "the scariest movie ever made" is a flat out lie. I mean youre more likely to laugh at it that get scared in it. I really wanted this to be scary, but I was very dissappointed. Havent been this dissappointed since When A Stranger Calls. See it if you want, but dont expect anything like The Exorcist or The Shining. Watch it alone in the dark. May be itll scare you.
On: 2003-06-25
I saw this for the first time when I was 6 years old, and I remember how scary it was to me. Even watching it today as an adult, I get goosebumps at certain scenes. A must see for any Bette Davis fan or anyone who loves a good ghost story. Im so glad its on DVD now!!!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-06-18
This film satisfies the best needs of the 1980s slumber party! I highly recommend it for a new generation of slumber party audiences. It is scary without gore or gratitutious violence. (And Bette Davis is in this film!) Perfect for pre-teen audiences.
On: 2003-05-19
This is possibly the film that I recall most vividly from my childhood - saw it on the original release (about 6 years old) and watched it again when I was 20 odd to discover that it still had the ability to scare me.
Will thouroughly reccommend to my neices.
On: 2003-05-18
This is possibly the film that I recall most vividly from my childhood - saw it on the original release (about 6 years old) and watched it again when I was 20 odd to discover that it still had the ability to scare me.
Will thouroughly reccommend to my neices.
On: 2003-04-15
The Watcher in the Woods is one of my favorite ghost/sci-fi thrillers that I have been waiting for on DVD.
Disney did a pretty good job on this 82 film that stars Bette Davis and many other memorable performances from both the seasoned and the new young actors...I saw it while still in school the first time... and it was just as good on DVD the second time around...Check it out!
by: movieman97 On: 2003-03-18
In the late 1970s the Walt Disney Studios was a kingdom of make believe perilously perched on the verge of extinction, thanks in part to changing audience tastes and, to a series of high profile big budget flops. While some of these, like "Petes Dragon" have since been given their reprieve on home video, the proliferation of others to the home market, "The Watcher In The Woods" being a prime example, seems only to heighten the overwhelming loss of artistic sensibility that plagued decision making at the studio during its dark and gloomy transition period. Worried that the market for family film fare had been irreversibly eroded with the proliferation of more gritty adult flicks, Uncle Walts heirs dove head first into more mature story telling - effectively alienating both its remaining loyalists and the conventional film attendee who had outgrown Mickey Mouse.
"The Watcher In The Woods" is a ghost story that begins in earnest with the greatest potential. It stars Bette Davis as Mrs. Aylwood, a reclusive landlord of an old English estate rented to the Curtis family: mom, Helen (Carroll Baker), dad, Paul (Peter McCallum) and their two daughters, Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) and Ellie (Kyle Richards). From the start Jan is in tune with some strange psychic forces haunting the house. She notices that a mirror above one of the fireplaces gives off no reflections of people and sometime provides a strange porthole image of a young girl who is blindfolded and reaching out for help. Jan also begins to suspect that some of the towns folk know exactly whats going on at their secluded country estate. Through a bit of her own investigating Jan learns that many years before Mrs. Aylwoods daughter disappeared without a trace from an abandoned church after three of her friends performed a paranormal sacrifice.
In an off beat attempt to recapture some of the magic of earlier Disney-fied mystery flicks like "Candleshoe," "Watcher" cannot make up its mind whether it wants to be an adult horror flick or a "Freaky Friday" comedic knock off with a feel good ending. There is something cinematically insincere about the way in which the film introduces Peter McCallums character, Paul and then quickly jettisons him from the plot. Ultimately the focus shifts from family to daughters, Jan and Ellie. To be certain there are disturbing vignettes and more than one good scare buried under the rubble of this lost opportunity. A perfect example occurs when Jan and Ellie wander off into the woods and stumble onto a gnarled tree stretching over a tiny pond. Ellie climbs one of the tree branches and accidentally falls into the water where she becomes trapped in a mirrored parallel universe. Frantically, Jan uses a broken tree branch to free and restore her sister to safety but not before the mirror produces a glimpse of the blindfolded girl, reflecting back at her with a look of desperation about her silenced lips.
The primary problem with "Watcher" is that it stumbles upon its frightening moments almost by accident and then does not know how to either successfully link the moments into one cohesive narrative or bring about a logical ending to the whole darn mess. In 1980, with a rush release date pushing the production onward to completion, director, Richard Hough slapped together some sort of ending in which an alien creature has been keeping Mrs. Aylwoods daughter a captive in a computer generated alter-universe ever since the ritual sacrifice. Reportedly laughed off the screen at a New York premiere, Hough cut together a version in which Jan is sucked into a vortex. She rescues the girl from her prism prison by doing battle with something in the vane of a Jim Henson puppet back lit by phosphorus effects as the creature responsible for the girls disappearance. Ultimately, only Jan and a truncated version of the vortex finale eventually was released to the general public with the return of Aylwoods daughter surfacing as something of a tacky, tactless tack-on that betrayed both the gothic mystery of the rest of the film and the Disney legacy for crafting vintage family entertainment. The film was a box office bomb in 1981 but ironically has resurfaces as something of a cult classic.
Disney DVD gives us an identical anamorphic widescreen DVD transfer to the one previously made available from Anchor Bay. Though the main title sequence is riddled with age related artifacts and dirt and scratches, once the film begins the overall picture quality is fairly pleasing and easy on the eyes. The use of soft filters renders many scenes a hazy fuzzy mess of warm colors but this is not the fault of DVD mastering efforts. Colors are overall rich and vibrant, though some slight smearing is present during night scenes. The effects photography does not hold up well under this sort of pristine digital scrutiny, appearing very one dimensional and almost pasted on as an afterthought. Contrast levels are overall quite good though blacks are rarely solid or deep. Theres minor edge enhancement present also as well as some heavy pixelization in various scenes. The audio has been cleaned up and is presented at a reasonable listening level. It is dated but adequate. Extras include an audio commentary in which director, Hough laments being rushed to finish the picture, two alternative endings, a theatrical trailer and some stills. Bottom line is, if youre looking for the usual Disney perfection working overtime, look elsewhere.
On: 2003-03-17
In the late 1970s the Walt Disney Studios was a kingdom of make believe perilously perched on the verge of extinction, thanks in part to changing audience tastes and, to a series of high profile big budget flops. While some of these, like "Petes Dragon" have since been given their reprieve on home video, the proliferation of others to the home market, "The Watcher In The Woods" being a prime example, seems only to heighten the overwhelming loss of artistic sensibility that plagued decision making at the studio during its dark and gloomy transition period. Worried that the market for family film fare had been irreversibly eroded with the proliferation of more gritty adult flicks, Uncle Walts heirs dove head first into more mature story telling - effectively alienating both its remaining loyalists and the conventional film attendee who had outgrown Mickey Mouse.
"The Watcher In The Woods" is a ghost story that begins in earnest with the greatest potential. It stars Bette Davis as Mrs. Aylwood, a reclusive landlord of an old English estate rented to the Curtis family: mom, Helen (Carroll Baker), dad, Paul (Peter McCallum) and their two daughters, Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) and Ellie (Kyle Richards). From the start Jan is in tune with some strange psychic forces haunting the house. She notices that a mirror above one of the fireplaces gives off no reflections of people and sometime provides a strange porthole image of a young girl who is blindfolded and reaching out for help. Jan also begins to suspect that some of the towns folk know exactly whats going on at their secluded country estate. Through a bit of her own investigating Jan learns that many years before Mrs. Aylwoods daughter disappeared without a trace from an abandoned church after three of her friends performed a paranormal sacrifice.
In an off beat attempt to recapture some of the magic of earlier Disney-fied mystery flicks like "Candleshoe," "Watcher" cannot make up its mind whether it wants to be an adult horror flick or a "Freaky Friday" comedic knock off with a feel good ending. There is something cinematically insincere about the way in which the film introduces Peter McCallums character, Paul and then quickly jettisons him from the plot. Ultimately the focus shifts from family to daughters, Jan and Ellie. To be certain there are disturbing vignettes and more than one good scare buried under the rubble of this lost opportunity. A perfect example occurs when Jan and Ellie wander off into the woods and stumble onto a gnarled tree stretching over a tiny pond. Ellie climbs one of the tree branches and accidentally falls into the water where she becomes trapped in a mirrored parallel universe. Frantically, Jan uses a broken tree branch to free and restore her sister to safety but not before the mirror produces a glimpse of the blindfolded girl, reflecting back at her with a look of desperation about her silenced lips.
The primary problem with "Watcher" is that it stumbles upon its frightening moments almost by accident and then does not know how to either successfully link the moments into one cohesive narrative or bring about a logical ending to the whole darn mess. In 1980, with a rush release date pushing the production onward to completion, director, Richard Hough slapped together some sort of ending in which an alien creature has been keeping Mrs. Aylwoods daughter a captive in a computer generated alter-universe ever since the ritual sacrifice. Reportedly laughed off the screen at a New York premiere, Hough cut together a version in which Jan is sucked into a vortex. She rescues the girl from her prism prison by doing battle with something in the vane of a Jim Henson puppet back lit by phosphorus effects as the creature responsible for the girls disappearance. Ultimately, only Jan and a truncated version of the vortex finale eventually was released to the general public with the return of Aylwoods daughter surfacing as something of a tacky, tactless tack-on that betrayed both the gothic mystery of the rest of the film and the Disney legacy for crafting vintage family entertainment. The film was a box office bomb in 1981 but ironically has resurfaces as something of a cult classic.
Disney DVD gives us an identical anamorphic widescreen DVD transfer to the one previously made available from Anchor Bay. Though the main title sequence is riddled with age related artifacts and dirt and scratches, once the film begins the overall picture quality is fairly pleasing and easy on the eyes. The use of soft filters renders many scenes a hazy fuzzy mess of warm colors but this is not the fault of DVD mastering efforts. Colors are overall rich and vibrant, though some slight smearing is present during night scenes. The effects photography does not hold up well under this sort of pristine digital scrutiny, appearing very one dimensional and almost pasted on as an afterthought. Contrast levels are overall quite good though blacks are rarely solid or deep. Theres minor edge enhancement present also as well as some heavy pixelization in various scenes. The audio has been cleaned up and is presented at a reasonable listening level. It is dated but adequate. Extras include an audio commentary in which director, Hough laments being rushed to finish the picture, two alternative endings, a theatrical trailer and some stills. Bottom line is, if youre looking for the usual Disney perfection working overtime, look elsewhere.
by: yensid98 On: 2003-02-15
I first saw this movie on VHS in the early 80s and it scared me to pieces! I remember dreaming about it and playing that i was in the movie for months and months afterwards. For years my sister and I would refrence it when scary things happened. So, needless to say, I was excited to find it was on DVD (and with all the bonus material) that I scooped it up right away.My first reaction was that "gee, its not nearly as scary as I remember". Still its a creepy film that will surely creep out kids and early tweens. Sure the acting isnt that great, some of the effects are cheesy and the story doesnt always add up, but the creepy mood sells it and I found myself still jumping and getting as tense as I did as a child. The commentary is pretty boring and adds little to your understanding or appreciation fo the film. The alternate endings are quite dumb and Im glad they were never used, still Im to have the chance to view them and see how the filmakers designed the story. But Im most excited to finally see the movie in widescreen. WATCHER isnt the stongest film but its style and mood of uneasiness will get to you. This is a perfect film to get if you remember it when it first came out or for Disneypiles as this is an important stepping stone for the company.
On: 2002-06-26
Theres no english subtitles as written in the cover.
On: 2002-06-03
This movie is a bit intense for small children but an excellent choice for family night viewing. Mystery, suspense and a good time guaranteed. The ending is a bit hokey and leaves questions to be answered but all in all it is entertaining and worth the effort.
On: 2002-05-01
Some people would have you believe that this is the scariest movie ever made...its not. Thats not to say that there arent some pretty darn chilling moments though. Anchor Bay has done a really great job on this disc. The widescreen print looks fantastic and the remastered dts/thx likely sounds better than when the film was released in 81. Several trailers are featured on the disc, and I have to say that they nicely put together, theyre far creepier than the movie itself. There is a feature length commentary by director John Hough which is self serving at best. He spends the majority of the movie talking about himself, his career, and what Watcher meant to him. Who cares?! When I listen to commentary I want to hear stories from the set, about working with the actors, about the script/story development. Sadly, thats missing from this disc. The crowning glory of the dvd is the chance to finally see the original ending. All I have to say is, they changed it for good reason. The original ending features a giant alien puppet that takes Jan away to an "otherworld" where she rescues Karen. The special effects are mind-bogglingly bad. The reshot "ball of light" ending makes far more sense. Watcher in the Woods is a pretty good movie thats made better by the terrific presentation on this disc.
On: 2002-04-15
I havent seen this film in a long time, but it will stand as one of the most frightening film experiences I ever had. I dont rememeber how old I was - probably around 8 - when I saw this, and it scared the pants off me. I distinctly remember the part when the younger sister names her dog and writes the name in the window - YEOW! And what about the scene at the river? And the climax was extremely unsettling. I didnt sleep well that night. An amazingly effective film, and I still give kudos to Disney for making it. A creepy creepy ghost story. Much stronger than "Burnt Offerings" or this directors own "The Legend of Hell House".
by: Anonymous On: 2002-04-05
I love this movie. Ive been a fan since the age of 10. I was thrilled to get the film on DVD in wonderful quality. I wasnt too happy, however, to hear the commentary. Hughs commentary lacked any imagination or interest. Every scene he constantly droned on about this camera angle or that. When the movie reached the end filmed by another director, he constantly criticized it and lamented that his was better.
The alternate endings were amazing, though I will always prefer the ending that was released with the movie. I found it annoying that Hugh thought that his ending was the best. to me, the ending directed by him drained the movie of all mysteriousness. Though it was nice to finally see The Watcher, the cause of Karens captivate as told by Jan seemed empty, since Jan didnt speak with The Watcher, she just "knew."
One last little quip, and you can rail on me if for this if you want. I thought the actress who played Karen in the alternate endings looked too much like a boy in a wig. There is no way that could have been her (his?) real hair.
I am definitely thrilled to have the movie on DVD, but I doubt I will trouble with the commentary or alternate endings again.
On: 2002-03-19
Like others have already stated, I too saw this movie as a kid in the early 1980s. I cant tell you how many nights I would try to go to bed, and be too scared that the "watcher in the woods" was somehow out there just waiting to snatch me :)
This movie is seriously one of the most psychologically scary horror movies I have ever seen. I cant believe this was a Disney movie! The storyline will drag you in, and it will be impossible to forget. I am very glad to see this released on DVD. I anxiously await the deleted scenes! Even if you do not purchase this dvd, at least rent it if you have never seen it. However, no matter if you are 7 or 57, do NOT watch it alone!
by: Anonymous On: 2002-03-14
I saw this movie when I was about 10 years old and can I just tell you that after 16 years it is still the scariest movie I have ever seen! The element of fear that you experience in this movie is amazing considering that it isnt bloody at all. I highly recommend it to everyone!
On: 2002-02-20
The mirrors in this movie always got to me. The watcher in the woods has been one of my favorits ever sence I was a kid. Its mystery and SiFi background will always keep you guessing. The emotions in tis film are real, and as make believe as the story is, it seems real to. You can feel a mothers pain as she searched for her daughter for so many years. You can feel the wonder and excitment as we slowly descover what happend to Karen so many years ago.
On: 2002-02-19
The mirrors in this movie always got to me. The watcher in the woods has been one of my favorits ever sence I was a kid. Its mystery and SiFi background will always keep you guessing. The emotions in tis film are real, and as make believe as the story is, it seems real to. You can feel a mothers pain as she searched for her daughter for so many years. You can feel the wonder and excitment as we slowly descover what happend to Karen so many years ago.
On: 2002-02-17
This spooky and delightful movie gets me every time. The first time I saw it I was susrprised that it was a Disney movie. It is full of suspence and thrill around every corner. You know your in for a ride when you see the huge house and the dark woods.You can see wierd things happening almost as soon as the youngest daughter walks through the door. Things fall of shelves wierd voices in the night. An elderlly woman who lost her child with no trace, she just vanished. The little girl talking in other peoples voices. Wierd things happen to the family that lets the family of the lost girl know she is trying to reach them. It all comes together in this clever yet confusing cult thriller. It is a must see.
On: 2002-02-16
This spooky and delightful movie gets me every time. The first time I saw it I was susrprised that it was a Disney movie. It is full of suspence and thrill around every corner. You know your in for a ride when you see the huge house and the dark woods.You can see wierd things happening almost as soon as the youngest daughter walks through the door. Things fall of shelves wierd voices in the night. An elderlly woman who lost her child with no trace, she just vanished. The little girl talking in other peoples voices. Wierd things happen to the family that lets the family of the lost girl know she is trying to reach them. It all comes together in this clever yet confusing cult thriller. It is a must see.
by: Anonymous On: 2002-02-13
Finally we get to see the 2 other legendary endings for WATCHER IN THE WOODS. I got ahold of an advance copy of this at the used DVD shop near me. Im telling you the watcher is worth the wait to see! I am kinda perplexed that audiences laughed and booed the alien. It is no more fake looking than E.T. or other eighties creature creations. It is very unusual looking and sinister for the time. Rather demonic and insectile at the same time. Maybe if they had shown less of it, it would have gone over better... The brief glimpse of the aliens planet in the longer ending is kinda fun if cheesy. The only real problem with the old endings is the explanations at the end for why everything happened are a little week. Something to do with negative images. One is six minutes and the other is fourteen minutes. I have been wanting to see this...footage forever! And now... I finally can!! This is so great!!
I HIGHLY recommend this to fans of the film. This disc is wonderful. It includes also three theatrical trailers and a TV spot that I completely remember as a child. This DISC is great and to me is an answer to life long wish to actually see this footage of the alien. I was not dissapointed. I really think its very cool and different...
by: Anonymous On: 2001-11-29
Forget Midnight Madness and The Devil and Max Devlin. Disneys main foray into more adult features (aside from the GREAT Night Crossing) is "Watcher in the Woods." Hopefully, this Anchor Bay Release will deliver the goods theyve promised (the original ending). The film is BEAUTIFULLY shot, and certainly atmospheric. And it features a pre-stroke Bette Davis in one of her last potent film roles. Poor Lynn Holly Johnston (Ice Castles) suffers the most, as the re-shoots during post-production really show her age difference. Still, Im anxious to see this film again...
On: 2001-07-25
The first time I saw this film, I was 7 yrs. old and OH BOY....was I scared. Now, at 25, this is still one of my favorites!! It still send chills up my spine everytime I see it!
On: 2001-07-24
The first time I saw this film, I was 7 yrs. old and OH BOY....was I scared. Now, at 25, this is still one of my favorites!! It still send chills up my spine everytime I see it!
On: 2001-07-19
I watched this a couple nights ago for the first time and it is great! the acting is really good, it has an overall spookiness to it, and the plot is great. I didnt think it would be that scary, but it was. I actually jumped a lot, and gasped and everything. It was so suspenseful! And before I saw this, the only movie that had ever scared me was the Exorcist. But this is definatly my fave scary film, because of its mystery, cleaness, cuteness, etc.
by: Anonymous On: 2001-06-16
I saw this movie for the first time at a slumber party when I was in the third grade. I spent half of the time with my hands over my eyes. It was by far the scariest movie that I had ever seen. No one at the party could sleep after watching this movie. I am currently twenty years old and have watched dozens of horror movies, and I can honestly say that this movie that can usually be found in the childrens or family section of a video store is MUCH scarier than any movie in the horror or thriller section. This movie offers all of the great aspects of a classic horror film without any of the unnecessary gore and violence. Every Halloween my mom and I watch it together. It is by far the scariest movie ever made!
On: 2001-06-15
I saw this movie for the first time at a slumber party when I was in the third grade. I spent half of the time with my hands over my eyes. It was by far the scariest movie that I had ever seen. No one at the party could sleep after watching this movie. I am currently twenty years old and have watched dozens of horror movies, and I can honestly say that this movie that can usually be found in the childrens or family section of a video store is MUCH scarier than any movie in the horror or thriller section. This movie offers all of the great aspects of a classic horror film without any of the unnecessary gore and violence. Every Halloween my mom and I watch it together. It is by far the scariest movie ever made!
On: 2001-04-19
Alright, if you happen to stumble across this review...know this. Watcher in the woods proves that it isnt what you see that scares you, it is what you dont know. Example being Blair witch, or Jaws, or Jurassic Park. This really is a great thriller that will hopefully show up on DVD. I watched this films first half when I was ten, but I had to go to the store with my parents, missing the conclusion. A while back I had a chance to rent this film, and I wasnt let down one bit!!! Even with an 8 year wait, I wasnt! That should tell you something about this films effect. You wonder what I am gabbing about?? The mystery for one thing. There really is something in the woods! What is it, and what is it hiding from? And there remains a hidden secret that trapped a child in glass for decades. Her hauntings make you really want more. She appears in mirrors blind folded, to beg for help from a disappearing reflection. 4 1/2 strong stars. Very Spooky to this day! See it with your older kids. (Shorted a half a star for a few minor problems not worth mentioning.)
On: 2001-03-24
I dunno--this movie just didnt do a thing for me! "Watcher in the Woods" was made at a time when the Disney Corporation was trying to break into the adult market. They produced a number of disjointed, unsatisfying films: "Tron;" "Something Wicked This Way Comes;" "Tex;" "The Black Hole;" and "Watcher," among them. They were really trying to find their way and eventually hit paydirt with "Splash." Alas, "Watcher" is much ado about nothing. The great Bette Davis is completely wasted in a thankless role. Basically, its a hoary old plot about "something in the woods" that, uh, "watches." Oh, and it also likes to follow you around while youre biking. Is it a ghost? A monster? Answering that question would give away the ending, which (according to lore) was reshot twice. This is definitely After School special stuff--replete with zooms |
