The Watcher in the Woods (DVD, 2000)
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"The Watcher in the Woods" is, in my opinion, the best film ever to be produced by The Walt Disney Company. The film often gets panned by critics and reviewers and has never gotten the treatment that many other Disney films have. It goes largely overlooked by many, even by those at Disney. This particular release of the film was produced by Anchor Bay in 2001. This DVD of the film contains more features than the DVD released by Disney three years later. The Anchor Bay release comes with: A 20-page booklet featuring interviews with the cast and crew; a miniature reproduction of an original theatrical poster; several theatrical and television commercials; alternate endings; and audio commentary by director John Hough. This film was made in 1980, a time when movie-goers were more apt to go to films that were more adult than the typical Disney fare, in particular horror, sci-fi and slasher films. Disney wanted to make a movie that would compete with these film genres and regain their standing at the box office. So, the powers-that-be at Disney set out to make their first horror film with "Watcher", though many now categorize it as suspense. This movie however didn't prove a huge success for the Disney Co. and was pulled from theaters in 1980, re-shot re-edited and re-released a year-and-a-half later but it was still unsuccessful. Yet, there is something about this movie that draws the viewer in. The version available on Anchor Bay [even with the alternate scenes] is the final version. The initial version of the film, which has never been released in its entirety since its 1980 New York premiere, featured an alien as "The Watcher", a creature which makes its first appearance to the public since 1980. However, after extensive re-writes [more than 150] "The Watcher" takes on more of a spiritual, ghostly and atmospheric feel rather than that of an alien creature. This final version pulls the first part of the film together weaving elements that were odd clues to the characters into a final scene that resolves a thirty-year old mystery. The film may be too scary for small children [as it contains elements of witchcraft, seances, and possessions] but to its many fans it is perfect. If you have not seen this film I recommend that you do and this is the DVD version to watch. Also, if you are a fan of the film and do not have the Anchor Bay DVD release of "Watcher" you must purchase it. "Watcher" not only has a great story but it also has fine acting performances from screen-legends Bette Davis, Carrol Baker, David McCallum and Ian Bannen. This is one of the best.Read full review
Florence Engel Randall's novel's, "A Watcher in the Woods," plot goes like this: the Curtis family, Helen (Carroll Baker), her husband Paul (David McCullum), & their 2 daughters, Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) & Ellie (Kyle Richards), rent an old English manor from it's senior owner, Mrs. Aylwood (Bette Davis at 72yo), who lives in the guest cottage. The elder lady of the manor seems to be haunting, mean & eerily eccentric. Plus, she looks scary. Jan, the Curtis' eldest daughter, experiences some paranormal events immediately after moving into the manor. For one thing, she can't see her own reflection in a bedroom mirror. Then, Jan begins to strongly sense that someone is watching her in the woods surrounding the manor. Neither parent, Helen nor Paul, are keen about the girls spending time with Mrs. Aylwood. But, as Jan becomes more scared & curious about who or what's in the woods, the pre-teen begins investigating, starting with Mrs. Aylwood. After Jan enters into Mrs. Aylwood's cottage to talk with her about the mysterious phenomena she's noticed, the secret of the woods starts to be revealed by Mrs. Aylwood. Although she's very reluctant to talk about it, Mrs. Aylwood tells Jan the story about her pre-teen daughter's disappearance in the manor's woods 30 years ago. The supernatural cinematic effects are well done for 1980. Bette Davis' subdued performance, as a mysterious older woman, makes the show a spine-tingling thriller. The suspense builds to a climax that is not predictable. The settings are spot-on & befitting for a haunting mood. Keeping in mind that the genre of this movie is a family suspense suitable for children, I found it to be excellent. It's an interesting contrast to experience Bette Davis in a Disney family suspense thriller--maybe the scariest Disney flick ever made. If anyone could have been more mysterious & bewitchingly secretive, I can't imagine who. Now that this film's on DVD there are special features: 1) This is the 1981 re-release that was revised. 2) It is filmed in Technicolor. 3) This DVD version is Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 4) Dolby Digital THX EX 6.1 in English 5) DTS Surround ES 6.1 in English 6) Dolby Surround in English 7) The alternate endings are featured. 8) The director's, John Hough's, comments are audio. 9) The original trailers are included. 10) There is the option of scene selection 11) Text & Photo Galleries are included. 12) John Hough's biography is included. This film is not the kind that will give young children nightmares. It's more metaphysical than it is scary. The suspense & topic are suitable for children & entertaining enough for adults. It's one of the most unusual Disney films I've seen~Read full review
This is a pretty crazy movie, mostly because it was by Disney and it has a history of controversy in terms of the movie being hacked up and a new ending and beginning attached to it one year after initial release. The story is interesting and can be found online. This Anchor Bay DVD has alternate endings and other bonus content, so for the first time one can see what the other possibilities were, in terms of how the movie could have been constructed. Recommended.
Thank you so much for helping me get a copy of this movie! I’ve loved it since I was a kid, and revisiting it was lovely!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great to go back and figure out what terrified me when I watched this movie... I was in kindergarten! It’s definitely for older kids... at least back in the ‘80’s, before shooter drills existed.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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