BurntOfferings

Burnt Offerings (1976)

The Rolf family can’t believe their luck. Quite by accident is seems that they have stumbled on a great bargain and have rented an estate for their summer vacation for a pittance! All it took were the approval of an elderly brother and sister, who decide the family is perfect. So they pack themselves up with their son and elderly Aunt Elizabeth and head off for the summer. But not long after arriving the father, Ben, begins to act strange and almost kills their son by drowning him in the pool. But is he really acting strange or is there something going on with his wife and her obsession with the house. It almost seems as if she is changing into someone else. When Aunt Elizabeth dies things really go to hell.

This is a very entertaining movie that could have been one of those plodding and boring supernatural themed films that were common in the 70s. But director Dan Curtis (The Night Stalker, The Night Strangler) allows the story to unfold without allowing it to go sit too long. This allows the movie to build some tension and dread as we watch the characters slowly change and wear down. Of course having an excellent cast only helps to keep the movie interesting and easy to watch. The parents are played by Oliver Reed (The Brood) and Karen Black (Trilogy of Terror), both of whom do a wonderful job. I’m a big fan of Reed’s work and of course what can you say about the woman who did battle with the Zuni doll in Trilogy of Terror? Hell Burgess Meredith even shows up in a minor role, and despite his lack of screen time makes a memorable impression. Finally this movie boasts a true legend with the casting of Bette Davis as Aunt Elizabeth. It is amazing how easily she can slip into the persona of the beloved Aunt. As good as Allen and Reed are she manages to steal every scene from them. Her demise is heartbreaking and the most powerful part of the movie.

There isn’t much to be said about the effects in the movie. Other than adding some grey to Karen Black’s hair there isn’t much in the way of makeup. If you pay close attention several times thru the movie you can see wires moving things around. But this doesn’t really bother me, especially given how great the story and cast are. That said I do think that director Dan Curtis had some obsession on this movie to shoot some of the scenes in soft light, creating an effect that makes the screen appear to be slightly out of focus. Perhaps this was done to cover the fact that Karen Black was pregnant, which I honestly never would of guessed after watching the movie.

I’m a Dan Curtis fan, so I had to have this one for my DVD collection. But even given how much of a fan I am of the man’s work I still think this is a great movie and should be given a chance. I recommend at least a rental, and if you are a fan of 70s supernatural movies a purchase.

3 out of 4

reviewed by John Shatzer