The Manitou

The Manitou (1978)

43% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(842 ratings)

A psychic's girlfriend finds out that a lump on her back is a growing reincarnation of a 400 year-old demonic Native American spirit.

Directed By: William Girdler
Written By: Jon Cedar, William Girdler
Genres: Horror

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1978 Wide
Studio: AVCO Embassy Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Visually inventive.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Even if the story becomes totally absurd, it has more in the way of creativity than most modern horror remakes.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Avoid unless you want to hear Tony Curtis yell , "In her neck" as only he can!
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
How can anyone resist a movie that involves a 400-year-old medicine man growing as a tumor on Susan Strasberg's back? Yes, that really is the premise. Honest.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Ack! There's an evil Indian demon growing on my neck!

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

A woman goes into the hospital to have a tumor on her neck looked at, it turns out that the growth is in fact a 400-year-old Indian Shaman. Tony Curtis, Burgess Meredith and a Medicine Man team up to prevent it from from taking over the world. Strange hokiness ensues...
Greg S

A 400-year old Indian shaman reincarnates himself as a tumor in a woman's back, and a fortune telling charlatan (Tony Curtis) must harness the power of ancient Indian medicine and the modern electric typewriter to stop him from bringing Satan into the world. The movie-star cast… More
A 400-year old Indian shaman reincarnates himself as a tumor in a woman's back, and a fortune telling charlatan (Tony Curtis) must harness the power of ancient Indian medicine and the modern electric typewriter to stop him from bringing Satan into the world. The movie-star cast mostly plays the ridiculous premise straight-faced, and along with the cheap but colorful sfx (dig that cosmic climax!) they keep this entertaining throughout, something "better" written and directed movies often can't seem to do.
Alexander W

I always reminise on this film and so I decided to watch it after 20 or so years and well its not so bad. Its a sci fi / horror/ occult film based in San Fransisco. Its kind of funny and not scary but its not bad.

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Cast

Tony Curtis
as Harry Erskine
Michael Ansara
as Singing Rock
Susan Strasberg
as Karen Tandy
Stella Stevens
as Amelia Crusoe
Jon Cedar
as Dr. Jack Hughes
Burgess Meredith
as Dr. Ernest Snow
Paul Mantee
as Dr. Robert McEvoy
Hugh Corcoran
as MacArthur
Jeanette Nolan
as Mrs. Winconis
Ann Sothern
as Mrs. Karmann
Lurene Tuttle
as Mrs. Hertz
Joe Gieb
as Misquamacas
Carole Hemingway
as Prostitute

Trailers & Clips