The Changeling poster & wallpaper

George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Melvyn Douglas

A man staying at a secluded historical mansion, finds his life being haunted by the presence of a spectre.

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78% liked it

9,899 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

14 critics

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Peter Medak

Release Date: March 28, 1980

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DVD Release Date: August 21, 2001

Stats: 843 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (843)

  • ceWEBrity
    April 5, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    Sadly washed out by the advent of The Shining, which arrived in the same year to much more success, The Changeling is a handsome swan song to stuffy "possessed house" horror. At this point, gory fatalist schlock was starting to gain ground in the horror market (Friday the 13th, P...( read more)rom Night and The Fog in 1980 alone, and Halloween's domination two years earlier), and The Changeling was the last bastion of the quickly-fading haunted house flick. At that point, films like this simply became too pokey to truly thrive anymore. The Shining is a notable exception because the film is a dynamic fusion of classicism and artistic innovation; The Changeling is no such paragon. Guess which film people still remember today.

    I don't think this film deserves the utter obscurity that it's found itself in. It has the aesthetic know-how to back up its stately ponderousness, The haunted house in question is absolutely gorgeous, miles and miles of sleek wood and neo-Gothic architecture. The music is symphonic and, if not terribly challenging, strikingly composed. I'm not sure if The Changeling was a big-budget effort but it is certainly a remarkable product in terms of production. Unfortunately, all this grandeur doesn't really hold up anything of substance. Changeling's plot is disappointingly familiar, a typical mystery yarn with no thematic depth and no personal resonance. Its plot serves as detached creepy fun, but little more than that. Perhaps most disappointing is George C. Scott's turgid performance as a grieving father and widower, "troubled" by the familiar events coursing through his house. The quotes are there because through the movie, he completely fails to express anything, be it fear or anguish. One might argue that this is because he's suffered so much that an apparition doesn't have a lot to take from him, but the performance never seems to scaffold this theory. He just looks bored. The weakness in this essaying is even more apparent when placed next to excellent supporting actors, far more compelling even in limited capacities. Trish Van Devere, playing a totally incidental part as the woman who sells John his house and becomes embroiled in the mystery, seems about fifty times more interested in the proceedings. It shows in her performance, she is remarkably convincing. Melvyn Douglas, in a brief but pivotal role, is equally vivid. Next to these two, Scott seems tragically undernourished.

    The Changeling s deeply flawed, but very watchable if you're into this genre (which I am by all means). Casual horror fans should stay away because the movie isn't particularly scary; all it really amounts to is a slight hum on the Creepy Radar. If you choose to view this as a mystery flick, however, that's not a bad thing at all. Perhaps The Changeling is a much older tale of the mismarketing that often plagues dark dramas, but like many of them, it stands well on its own two legs.
  • RCCLBC
    October 9, 2008
    RCCLBC
    A little slow at times...but all and all a creppy, spooky, enjoyable little film.
  • bradwest
    September 22, 2008
    bradwest
    Effectively scary. Sometimes less is more.
  • SilentWarProductions2009
    December 4, 2007
    SilentWarProductions2009
    Directed by: Peter Medak.
    Starring: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere.

    Such a hard film to find and such an unknown film to many, god knows why, especially in a world where people ask for a film that can naturally and expertly give you the chills....w...( read more)hat do I say to them? Find this film.

    The story follows the start of a family vacation for composer John Russell, but when a freak accident kills his wife and child, John is left devastated. With some help from friends, he rents a mansion with enough room to reflect and compose. Soon, this house proves to be more than just its large emptiness, the house starts to make noises at exactly 6am every morning, doors start to open and close by themselves....it all leads John to the devastating truth behind this house. I was first surprised at how technically advanced this film was for the year it was made, the vast scale and design is amazing and there are some visually stunning sequences to be had. I will admit, I was about to turn the film off within the first 30 minutes, although the film was stunningly shot, I had heard about the film being so unbearably chilling....but I didn't see it, from the strangely out of place music to the lack of tension, I saw no way that the film could redeem itself.....boy, was I very wrong! About the time when 'the room' is discovered (I won't say anymore than that), the film surpasses the expectations I had. Along with being beautifully shot, the tension is thick and we are given only small scenes that really chill you to your core, that you kept on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next one....there are so many scenes that will certainly stay with me for days(one involves a 'ball', another of a fast 'dolly shot' around the house). With 'horror' films of today (notice the '' around horror?), they have no clue on what can scare an audience, instead they rely on loud noises, sudden images and overkill of 'boo' moments, not to mention the lack of knowledge of horror by the filmmakers, Peter Medak on the other hand knows how to make our hairs stand up, from the whispers to the small noises, even the movements and angles used, scanning the house, it works so brilliantly. When we are not being chilled to the bone, there is a very compelling mystery story behind the film, that slowly builds us with the characters through many clues and a strong story, we are always kept attentive for whats to come. I somehow can't seem to judge the acting, I don't know of these actors and somehow I can't say anymore than they delivered solid performances, but I will say I wasn't overly impressed with George C. Scott, who just seemed to be too 'calm' throughout the film, even in the most terrifying parts where any normal man would think twice, he just seems normal and goes on with life.

    But aside from that very small fault (that didn't effect the film for me), everything I had heard about this film was true and I am glad I searched for it. A very chilling, unnerving and compelling horror that is brilliantly directed and leaves imprints in your mind days after you finished watching the film.
  • lyndsiekivell
    November 29, 2007
    lyndsiekivell
    George C. Scott seems absolutely stoic in the face of an eerie child ghost who is bent on scaring George into finding the truth behind his murder.
  • amyleestanfield
    November 22, 2009
    amyleestanfield
    Holy crap this movie was fricken creepy as hell!
  • moonkist1
    November 13, 2009
    moonkist1
    Any movie with George C Scot in it is usually a 'must see'!
    I was quite surprised during the middle of the night when i awoke and couldn't get back to sleep and found this movie on IFC channel. That this movie ended up being more like the movie "The Changeling" with Angelina tha...( read more)t i thought that it was.
    It was pretty good for a 3 am movie, lol.
  • bastet05
    October 18, 2009
    bastet05
    This is a classic horror tale- it relies little on what you can see and what was most refreshing is it does not fall victim to most horror movies of it's era- a halfwitted pants wetting lead. George C. Scott's character John is staying in a beautiful old house (which happens to ...( read more)be haunted) by a ghost that is reaching out to him through his music. John approaches the situation calmly and with an open mind, having just lost his own children. This i what makes the movie so unique- the lead is a strong character and is not the type you are constantly screaming at your TV to stop acting like a dickbag. Everything he does makes sense for someone in his life situation and helps to progress the story.

    Although not exactly scary by today's standards, it was intriguing and would have been unique for it's time. Having a creepy old mansion as the setting always gives bonus points in my book and I love the beautiful square grand piano he composes on in the old house.

    As the story unfolds, it takes you along with it and the audience is treated to flashbacks of what exactly took place, which is a pretty sad situation. It is also a style that is rarely used in horror movies anymore- too many times films rely on a character retelling a past even rather than allowing the view to witness it (which adds to the emotional impact).

    A good October watch!

    SPOILER
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    There is on scene where Claire Norman is running from a wheel chair, it is chasing her through the house and she tumbles down the stairs and it chases her still. I found this scene unintentionally hilarious because realy, i't sa wheel chair- how threatening can it be? Drop something in front of it and it flips. End of attack But seriously, if I put myself in her situation and some haunted wheelchair was zipping after me I'd probably have her same reaction. It just doesn't translate well as horrifying to watch.
  • angelbear1561
    October 8, 2009
    angelbear1561
    Old movie but still excellent. George C. Scott is great as always. Don't let the age of the movie distract you! You will be so glad you watched it!
  • killerkittyclothing
    September 12, 2009
    killerkittyclothing
    I love this movie and it still creeps me out!

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The Changeling Trivia

  • George C. Scott moves into a house haunted by the spirit of a crippled child?  Answer »
  • What 1980 movie had the tagline "How did you die, Joseph...? Did you die in this house...? Why do you remain...?"  Answer »
  • Who is the main actress in the Changeling?   Answer »
  • in the movie "The changeling" what was the item that came back to the house after he throw it away?  Answer »
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