Movie Type: Haunted House Film, Supernatural Horror
Themes: Demonic Possession
Main Cast: Burt Young, Rutanya Alda, James Olson, Jack Magner, Diane Franklin
Release Year: 1982
Country: US
Run Time: 104 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Delving into the horrific history of the infamous Long Island haunted house, this prequel to 1979's popular chiller The Amityville Horror is loosely based on the DeFeo murders but is at heart a straightforward horror-exploitation film with an Exorcist twist. When the violently dysfunctional Montelli family moves into the rustic abode (claimed to have been built on an Indian burial ground), the standard haunted-house clichés (bleeding walls, swarms of flies, bubbling black goop) give way to a more direct demonic attack on the eldest son -- who develops an unhealthy interest in his nubile younger sister, followed by a much more lethal attraction to dad's shotgun. In a desperate attempt to purge the evil, the local priest tries to perform an exorcism...with unexpected results. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Review
One of the strangest sequels in horror film history, Amityville II: The Possession is a wildly disturbing and over-the-top retelling of the original DeFeo murders that occurred in the infamous Long Island house in 1974. The first thing to notice is that it's very obviously set in the 1980s, complete with '80s automobiles and demonic walkmans. The second thing that'll catch one's eye is the severely dysfunctional family, headed by Burt Young (Paulie from the Rocky series) as the crazy abusive dad in a household of overacting dimwits that includes a neurotic mother, two cornball child actors as the kids whose idea of fun is putting plastic bags over their heads (followed by the "just kidding!" line), plus a messed-up twentysomething-year-old son and his near-nubile younger sister, played by Diane Franklin (Monique from Better Off Dead). Directed by Italian maestro Damiano Damiani from a script by John Carpenter alumni Tommy Lee Wallace, the sequel is a hoot of a horror film that pulls no punches with the blood and black goo, yet still manages to be an outrageous slice of schlock cinema that confounds its viewers at every step. Whether it's the extravagant Evil Dead-style camerawork or the shocking scenes of incest and bloody murder, the film would be reprehensible if not for the campy performances and utter disrespect for the real-life story. By the time the movie skids into a blatant and hysterical Exorcist rip-off mode in the third act, either the tortured viewer is ready for anything the flick's got to dish out or they've already tuned out. With an uncredited rewrite by Dardano Sacchetti (another Italian veteran who has collaborated with Mario Bava, Lucio Fulci, andDario Argento!), Amityville II is known in some circles as a near-masterpiece that was reportedly an inspiration for Ringu and, subsequently, most of the J-horror fad. Whatever camp one finds themselves in, there's no doubt that by the time the house literally blows up at the end, the audience's mind has been as well. Severely overlooked for too many years, The Possession eclipses the original in guts, gore, and downright shocking material that somehow through the years has gelled into one ridiculously fun time at the movies. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Andrew Prine - Father Tom; Leo Cimino - Chancellor; Brent Katz - Mark Montelli; Erika Katz - Jan Montelli; Moses Gunn - Detective Turner; Ted Ross - Mr. Booth
Credit
Ray Recht - Art Director, Damiano Damiani - Director, Sam O'Steen - Editor, Bernard Williams - Executive Producer, Lalo Schifrin - Composer (Music Score), John Caglione, Jr. - Makeup, Pier Luigi Basile - Production Designer, Franco di Giacomo - Cinematographer, Dino de Laurentiis - Producer, Stephen R. Greenwald - Producer, Ira N. Smith - Producer, Glen Robinson - Special Effects, Glen Robinson - Sound/Sound Designer, Kim Ornitz - Sound/Sound Designer, Tommy Lee Wallace - Screenwriter, George De Titta, Jr. - Set Decorator, Hans Holzer - Short Story Author
Amityville II set the pattern for low-budget sequels with little reference to real life events in Amityville, and is the only other film in the series to feature music composed by Lalo Schifrin.[1] Also, this film is considered as the darkest and most frightening of the Amityville saga.[citation needed]
The Montelli family move into what they think will be the house of their dreams, but there is an evil presence lurking within. Demons terrorize the family, causing them to fall apart. The mother tries to get the local priest, Father Adamsky, to bless the house but he is driven away by her abusive, atheist and anti-religious husband before he can properly help. The oldest son, Sonny, falls victim to demonic possession. During his possession he gets his sister to play a game where he is a famous photographer and she is his model. She agrees and eventually ends up having sex with him. The evil spirits cause Sonny to tear the family apart and he is forced to murder his parents and siblings. Father Adamsky realizes Sonny is possessed and asks the church for permission to perform an exorcism but this is refused when they didn't believe him. He therefore takes it upon himself to free Sonny's soul, although freeing him, he ends up possessed by the demon instead.
Outdoor shots were filmed in Toms River New Jersey. Before production began, it was decided a set would be created for this movie and the Interior of the Toms River House would not be needed. The reason for a set instead was because the production crew had to ruin the house a few times through the movie most notably the end of the film. It is also believed that during filming of the first film the fake blood that ran down the walls reportedly stained the walls. Indoor scenes were filmed in Mexico. The explosion scene at the end of the film was real during filming. A highly explosive chemical which produces flames that burn out instantly was used. During filming of the explosion scene at the end of the movie the effect reportably backfired and burned the side of the house.
Inconsistencies
While a prequel, Amityville II contradicts the opening of the 1979 film which shows the family massacre, and like the actual event they are all sleeping. The bodies are also removed from the house in the morning, but in the first film, it's in the middle of the night.
Some of the family drama in the film did happen to the Defeos, but are exaggerated. The story introduces speculative and controversial themes, including an incestuous relationship between Sonny Montelli and his teenaged sister, who are based loosely on Ronald DeFeo, Jr. and his sister, Dawn.
Though supposedly set one year before the first Amityville Horror film, Amityville II is full of elements that are clearly from the 1980s, such as a miniature "Walkman" radio/headphone set and the presence of 1982 cars, televisions, etc. This caused some series fans to speculate that Amityville II, despite being based on a book/events that took place before The Amityville Horror, actually takes place after the events of the first film and represents a second massacre, which isn't true, as the film is based on a book about the DeFeo murders.
Reception
Amityville II: The Possession received mixed to negative reviews. Critics claimed this film went overboard with the effects and the storyline was not as interesting as expected to be.[3]Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times, who gave the first film a negative review, claimed the film "is actually slightly better than The Amityville Horror" and mentioned some good technical credits and performances.[4] Although actress Rutanya Alda was nominated as Worst Supporting Actress at the 1982 Golden Raspberry Awards, again.
Despite most negative reviews, this film was a commercial success, ranking #1 at the box office.[citation needed]
Remake
On the DVD commentary of the 2005 remake of The Amityville Horror, the producers talked about making either a sequel or a prequel. The prequel would be titled "The DeFeos" but the film was dropped for a sequel which is due out in 2010.
