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Poltergeist

Actor(s): Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins
Director(s): Tobe Hooper
76

Details

MPAA Rating: PG
Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Gore
Movie Release: 1982
DVD Release: 04/08/1997
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan
Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 54 mins
Studio: MGM
Members Wishing: 6
Genres: Horror, Haunted House Film
See Also: Poltergeist, Poltergeist [25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition], Poltergeist [Blu-ray]

Synopsis

With Poltergeist, directed by Tobe Hopper, Steven Spielberg had his first great success as a producer. Released around the same time as Spielberg's E.T., the film presents the dark side of Spielberg's California suburban track homes. The film centers on the Freeling family, a typical middle class family living in the peaceful Cuesta Verde Estates. The father, Steve (Craig T. Nelson), has fallen asleep in front of the television, and the dog saunters around the house revealing the other family members -- Steve's wife Diane (JoBeth Williams), sixteen-year-old daughter Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old son Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Ann (Heather O'Rourke). Soon strange things begin to happen around the house; the pet canary dies, mysterious storms occur, and Carol Ann is summoned to the TV set, where a strange shaft of green light hits her and causes the room to shake ("They're he-e-ere!"). As curious events continue, Carol Ann is repeatedly drawn to the television, where she begins to talk to "the TV people." Soon Carol Ann is sucked into a closet, disappearing from this reality plane. Unable to find his daughter, Steve consults Dr. Lesh (Beatrice Straight), a para-psychologist from a nearby college. Lesh finds that paranormal phenomena is so strong in the Freelong household she is unable to deal with it and sends for clairvoyant and professional exorcist Tangina (Zelda Rubinstein) to examine the house in hopes of finding Carol Ann. Tangina makes a horrifying discovery: Carol Ann is alive and in the house, but is being held on another spectral plane. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Cast

Craig T. Nelson - Steve
JoBeth Williams - Diane
Beatrice Straight - Dr. Lesh
Dominique Dunne - Dana
Oliver Robins - Robbie

Awards

1982	Best Original Score (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Jerry Goldsmith
1982	Best Sound Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Stephen Flick
1982	Best Sound Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Richard L. Anderson
1982	Best Visual Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Richard Edlund
1982	Best Visual Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Michael Wood
1982	Best Visual Effects (nominee)	Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie	Bruce Nicholson

Editorial Review

One of the scariest films of the 1980s, Poltergeist is given great treatment by the folks at MGM in its DVD resurrection. The disc is two-sided, with the film presented in its original widescreen format on one side and in a pan-and-scan format on the other; the widescreen version is particularly impressive. Both sides are presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound and include scene selections, optional English, French, or Spanish subtitles, and the original theatrical trailer. Also included is an eight-page booklet that ranks among the best yet published with a DVD. The booklet chronicles Steven Spielberg's inspiration for the film and also features production notes, trivial references to old movies, and even a segment that ponders the possible actual existence of poltergeists. All in all, this is a satisfying package for one of the best horror films of its era.
~ Jose Promis, All Movie Guide