The Changeling (1980)

Nice haunted house flick, 13 February 2005

George C. Scott plays John Russell, a fairly well known composer who has recently lost his wife and daughter in an auto accident. To begin his life again, he decides to move and start teaching. He rents an old house from the local historical society. It's not long before he realizes that something is not quite right with the house. The house seems to be haunted. Russell learns that the spirit haunting the house is that of a young boy. A boy that insists he was murdered in the house.

This is one of the better haunted house movies I've seen. In fact, I would rank it in the top five haunted house films of all time. The large, old house, with its hidden attic, makes the perfect setting for this kind of movie. The backstory of the boy that died and the house's history are presented in a series of very spooky and effective flashbacks. Other moments that really stand out in my mind are the ball bouncing down the stairs on its own and the wheel chair chase scene. The ball bouncing scene, in particular, is one of those very subtle creepy moments that can make a movie like this.

The Changeling co-stars Melvyn Douglas in one of his last movie roles. It's a real treat to watch him at this point in his career. Back in 1932, he appeared in a one of my favorites - The Old Dark House.

8/10