The Watcher in the Woods

Starring:Bette Davis, Lynn-Holly Johnson, Kyle Richards (II), Carroll Baker, David McCallum, Benedict Taylor, Frances Cuka, Richard Pasco, Ian Bannen, Katharine Levy, Eleanor Summerfield, Georgina Hale, Dominic Guard
Director: John Hough, Vincent McEveety
Studio: Anchor Bay
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Ghost story meets paranormal mystery in Disney's PG family spookfest, a rare kid-friendly scary movie that still manages to frighten. American girls Lynn-Holly Johnson (Ice Castles) and little sister Kyle Richards move into a secluded British manor cradled in a mist-shrouded forest, home to a ghostly guardian angel and a decades-old mystery that still haunts the place. Director John Hough (whose Legend of Hell House is a classic of supernatural suspense) delivers all the right shiver-inducing ingredients: flashes of light, whispers in the wind, eerie visions of a blindfolded little girl lost (the long-lost daughter of withered widow Bette Davis) reaching out from mirrors, as if trapped behind them. Though tame by today's bloody standards and a flop on its original release in 1981, this handsome little gothic ghost story has become something of a cult film for its suggestive direction, impressionistic imagery, and spooky sense of the unknown. Ages 9 and up, although more sophisticated younger kids should enjoy this. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Legendary actress and two-time Oscar(R)-winner Bette Davis (DANGEROUS, 1935; JEZEBEL, 1938) stars in this frightening and atmospheric thriller. When an American teenager joins her family in an English country house, she experiences strange and supernatural occurrences. Mrs. Alywood (Davis), the kindly caretaker, knows the dark secret behind the happenings ... and prepares for the return of a young girl who died mysteriously some 30 years earlier! THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS weaves a haunting, riveting tale that stays with you long after the explosive ending!

Customer Reviews:

THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!.......2007-04-04

The other versions don't include all the bonuses this one has. Even if you're not interested in the director's 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. :)

Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!.......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 I'd seen as a child and was wanting to see again now, as an adult. But I'd 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 "Pan's 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 person's review stating that Disney really doesn't make films like this anymore. It's 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 can't help but imagine what a major influence this would've been on me if I HAD seen it back then. It's really a great movie, and it's 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 wouldn't go so far as to call it a MASTERPIECE, it's definitely a great piece of movie-making history, and one which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to any fans of dark fantasy or magical fiction. [ Peace - Love - Unity - Respect ]

Scared of going into the woods? You should be..........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 people's 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 Disney's "Child of Glass" to anyone who liked this movie.

Worth the vigilance - in the darkling farrest.......2007-01-31

Watch for those Eyes - Bette's - she's looking - are you? between the sheets? The Watcher is not always in the wood - I've 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 doesn't matter - it's 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... )

Betty had to be hard up for money!.......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 can't believe all the high rating it is getting, oh well, just because Betty was in it didn't make it a great film.

Average customer rating:

THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!
Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!
Scared of going into the woods? You should be...
Worth the vigilance - in the darkling farrest
Betty had to be hard up for money!

The Watcher in the Woods
Starring: Bette Davis , Lynn-Holly Johnson , Kyle Richards (II) , Carroll Baker , and David McCallum
Director: John Hough , and Vincent McEveety
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

10-12 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Scary Movies & Mysteries | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00003ETIS
Release Date: 2002-04-02