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The Possessed

The Possessed (1977)

May. 01,1977
|
5.3
| Horror TV Movie

A former priest, now an exorcist, battles the satanic forces that are threatening the students at a girls school.

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ReaderKenka
1977/05/01

Let's be realistic.

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Usamah Harvey
1977/05/02

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

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Mathilde the Guild
1977/05/03

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

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Francene Odetta
1977/05/04

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

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Michael_Elliott
1977/05/05

The Possessed (1977) *** (out of 4) Father Kevin Leahy (James Farentino) is in an automobile accident when he is pronounced dead on the scene. In the limbo he hears a voice telling him to return to life and seek out the Evil in the world. Soon afterwards he ends up at a girl's boarding school in Salen, Oregon where mysterious fires have been breaking out. The head mistress (Joan Hackett), her sister (Claudette Nevins) and her younger daughter (Ann Dusenberry) all seem to have some sort of connection.THE POSSESSED is without question one of the better made-for-television horror movies ever made. It's kind of funny that Warner now handles the release of the picture since it was released the same year as their disastrous EXORCIST II. There's no question that this movie was probably inspired by THE EXORCIST but everything wrong with that film's sequel is certainly improved on here. There's no doubt that I went into the movie not sure what to expect but I walked away with an extremely good film that manages to feature great performances and a pretty good story.The performances are certainly a major plus because there's quite a bit of character development here. Farentino is wonderful as the Father who finds himself trying to figure out exactly why he was brought back to life and who is behind these Satanic fires. Nevins is also excellent in her role as the mother and Dusenberry is also good. The supporting cast includes Dinah Manoff, P.J. Soles and Diana Scarwid. The biggest name is Harrison Ford who is excellent in a small role as a professor. The film also benefits from some nice cinematography and an extremely effective music score.Another thing that really works for the movie is its pacing by director Jerry Thorpe. He certainly knows how to keep the film moving and manages to make the story quite interesting and makes it hold your attention even without the big-budget special effects. The ending itself is quite good, although there's no question that they were going for the same feel as THE EXORCIST. THE POSSESSED isn't a masterpiece but it's about as good as a film like this can get.

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cmcastl
1977/05/06

I find nothing less scary than modern vampire movies or slasher films. I do not waste my time with them. We can't have for my taste enough horror films which are Omen-esque. Or, as suggested in the reviews here, along the lines of the Exorcist. That is, horror films which have at their core a metaphysical struggle between Good and Evil, which is what the drama plays out. I agree with most of the previous reviewers on most of their points. The one point on which I would venture to disagree and which has prompted me to add this contribution is that the very reason that the evil is unexplained is what I find philosophically fascinating about this film.Farentino plays a priest who has lost his faith or is on his way to losing it. Is he a lost soul literally returned from the dead to redeem himself in some way? His backstory is pleasingly kept unclear. I agree with how creepy the finale is with Joan Hackett's character literally spitting nails. But the creepiest moment in the film for me, and what lingers in my memory, is when Farentino's priest is asked why this evil is happening? He responds there is no reason why to Evil. Evil just is. Evil just happens. Whether or not I agree with it, and I am not saying I do, as a premise that for me is one of the most genuinely chilling moments and revelations not just in this but in all the supernatural films I have seen.Psychological/philosophical horror is the scariest horror of all. This film is a minor gem of supernatural horror for the discerning.Pity it was a pilot never picked up.

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Lee Eisenberg
1977/05/07

"The Possessed" is better than you might expect, mainly due to the absence of gore and shocks (since this is a TV movie, they didn't even get to show any nudity). The recently deceased James Farentino plays a priest investigating strange occurrences in a girls' school in Salem, Oregon. One of the most famous things about the movie nowadays is that it was probably Harrison Ford's final role before he became known as Han Solo. But like I said, the emphasis on suspense rather than gore and special effects strengthens the movie. The last ten minutes turn out to be the really creepy part of the movie. It's definitely worth seeing if you get a chance. Also starring Joan Hackett, P.J. Soles (Norma in "Carrie") and Diana Scarwid (Christina in "Mommie Dearest").

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JohnandTheresa_2301
1977/05/08

Wow. I've been searching for this movie for decades, now. I tried searching all the keywords and possible titles, and was not able to find it until I asked for help on the IMDb community boards, and I'm so glad to have found it again! I will never forget the way she looked at the end... her skin, and eyes, and the way her lips were so severely chapped and raw... and then she spews nails at the guy, and he grabs her and falls or jumps into the pool and they are enveloped and consumed by the erupting fire! I was definitely freaked out. This movie made such a huge impact on me, I don't think I'll ever forget it... Not that scene anyway!!

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