source: Something Evil

Something Evil

A couple from New York move with their two children to a run-down farm house in Pennsylvania.Soon after moving Margery(Sandy Dennis),a housewife/painter begins to experience various unsettling events;she sees the caretaker sprinkling the blood of a slaughtered chicken in the fields. She hears a baby crying in the barn late at night,the sound emanating from an old wood stove.Two guests at a party that the couple throws are killed in a mysterious accident.Eventually with the help of a new friend she begins to believe that her home may be inhabited by a devil and that she is it's target for possession.Her husband played by Darren McGavin of "The Night Stalker" fame doesn't believe her and the supernatural events escalate..."Something Evil" does not feature any blood and the devil force is unseen.The film is pretty creepy with subtle frights and all around solid acting.7 out of 10.

There were a lot of brilliant and spooky TV movies made in the seventies (Night Stalker etc),and it's a lost art now. This is, in fact, one of Spielberg's best films and is chilling. I saw it on a farm in the middle of nowhere, so the whole bit with the barn was terrifying. A reminder of what suggestion and the mind can conjure up without gruesome special effects and pointless noise. What was the horrible thing in the jam jar? What were the buzzing objects falling onto the windscreen of that car? Eerie stuff and brilliantly done. Also features a rare appearance by the unusual and authentic Sandy Dennis who died tragically and is sadly missed. Best scare is the demon eyes caught during the filming of a commercial at the haunted house.

Hey, for a cheapo 1970's "Made for TV" movie, they did a decent job. Passable acting, nice agreeable actors and a creepy storyline. What do you want for nothing. There were a lot of MFTV movies a lot worse than this. Great to watch on a Friday or Saturday night on a late show. Of course it is mildly famous for the glowing eyes in the window part. Most people who have seen this always mention that simple but effective (and creepy!) shot! One of Steven Spielberg's early films, along with "Duel", makes him a director to be noticed. And of course he goes on to fame and fortune on the big screen! Who doesn't remember the creepy eyes in the window part? If you've seen this movie, then you, as everyone else remembers that part! Strangely, something as simple as lights in a window could scare so many people, but sometimes it's the little things. Sometimes, when done right, simple and small can beat ' CGI!

Of course Steven Spielberg is a very talented filmmaker. He knows perfectly well how to create tension and give you creeps on your spinal cord. He is one of the best. In this one he was helped by exceptional actors. Sandy Dennis is a unique phenomenon, can not be compared to any other, was and remains a great great actress. It's a shame that she died so young! Darren McGavin and Ralph Bellamy are also two very good actors, natural and credible in everything they do and say. It's not one of the greatest movies by Spielberg, the script is very simple, to not say poor, but is very well made. Worth to be seen!

Me and my dad watched this late one night. So scary to a little kid. I am still afraid of older homemade canned goods -- especially in a basement or a seldom used pantry. Jeez, it really frightened me, especially the "eyes". Was it a reflection? I didn't know that Speielberg did this until just now. ....waaaahhhh..... are those your canned tomatoes...? Or a terminated fetus...? Or a little bit of both....? So scary. Ewwww. Time to visit the pantry...

Your basic horror story: A family moves into a house and they do not realize it's haunted but will soon become believers and it's haunted by demons. A quote from Marjorie Worden: "Can you believe that I believe that the devil's in my house?" This TV movie was back when they made fun and interesting movies for television. Not all of them were great but they were at least worth watching. When real life society changed, the TV shows and movies changed - I quit watching - but I hear the TV movies today are nothing like these older films and not nearly as good. This particular film is not grand but it's not a bad watch either - mildly entertaining demonic horror. 6/10

Marjorie Worden (Sandy Dennis) sees a farmhouse and instantly falls in love with it and insists her husband, Paul (Darren McGavin) agree to buy it. Wanting to make his wife happy, he agrees...and soon grows to regret it. The home turns out to be a one weird place...with strange goings on and Mrs. Worden begins to lose her mind. She becomes violent, unpredictable and weird...all, supposedly, because of some strange glowing mason jar and a house that's possessed by Satan. If this all sounds weird, well, you're right. The "ABC Movie of the Week" OFTEN had made for TV films with ultra-bizarre plots--with witches, monsters, aliens and all sorts of odd goings on. But what they didn't usually have was direction by Steven Spielberg (before he was famous) as well as a dopey ending...which, sadly, this one has in spades. The film sets an interesting mood but the payoff, sadly, just isn't there.

My kid sister and I discuss this movie almost every summer around this time. We grew up in Pennsylvnia Dutch Country in the early 1970's. Our environment was very much like that of "Something Evil". To say this made for T.V. fright fest is a family favorite would be incorrect because it was quite disturbing to most of us. Yet, my mom and I would watch it every time it aired! I do recall having nightmares featuring "baby-crys" and visions of horribly beautiful masses swirling in mason jars! I have grown into an adult hardcore horror fan and I expect that this little movie would probably not phase me today. It would however be a joy to watch again and I hope some studio some where will release it in crisp DVD format. If you ever have a chance to see it, savor the flavor!