The Watcher in the Woods

Amazon.com

Ghost story meets paranormal mystery in Disney's PG family spookfest, a rare kid-friendly scary movie that still manages to frighten. American girls Lynn-Holly Johnson (Ice Castles) and little sister Kyle Richards move into a secluded British manor cradled in a mist-shrouded forest, home to a ghostly guardian angel and a decades-old mystery that still haunts the place. Director John Hough (whose Legend of Hell House is a classic of supernatural suspense) delivers all the right shiver-inducing ingredients: flashes of light, whispers in the wind, eerie visions of a blindfolded little girl lost (the long-lost daughter of withered widow Bette Davis) reaching out from mirrors, as if trapped behind them. Though tame by today's bloody standards and a flop on its original release in 1981, this handsome little gothic ghost story has become something of a cult film for its suggestive direction, impressionistic imagery, and spooky sense of the unknown. Ages 9 and up, although more sophisticated younger kids should enjoy this. --Sean Axmaker

Description

Legendary actress and two-time Oscar(R)-winner Bette Davis (DANGEROUS, 1935; JEZEBEL, 1938) stars in this frightening and atmospheric thriller. When an American teenager joins her family in an English country house, she experiences strange and supernatural occurrences. Mrs. Alywood (Davis), the kindly caretaker, knows the dark secret behind the happenings ... and prepares for the return of a young girl who died mysteriously some 30 years earlier! THE WATCHER IN THE WOODS weaves a haunting, riveting tale that stays with you long after the explosive ending!

Customer Reviews:

Minor but intriguing thriller.......2007-08-15

This Disney thriller is unique, in that it may be one of the earliest attempts from the studio to do straight horror. That the film is a compromise is probably as much due to the climate of the times as it is to their reluctance to be too intense and frightening. A good supporting cast is unfortunately subjugated to the pretty but unimpressive Lynn Holly Johnson, whose performance doesn't quite convey the desperation or depth that might have made the film more compelling. Bette Davis seems curiously restrained. The film might be a good companion piece to "Burnt Offerings" another Davis film in which a family comes across a mansion that's "too good to be true" for a summer rental. "Watcher" is infamous for its aborted first release, in which the film's finale was hastliy assembled. After negative reviews and some tampering, it was releasd again, but the damage had been done. This DVD version includes all three (!) endings to the movie, and this may be its biggest value for fans. The print is clean and the image sharp. I am guessing by all the positive reviews posted here that "Watcher in the Woods" was a sleepover favorite for young girls, and it still might serve that function, in that it's a spooky movie without much to offend younger viewers. Ah, but what it might have been! Worth checking out for fans of Disney, of Johnson, Davis, and the genre, but this handsome little chiller somehow fails to register, despite some artful camerawork and earnest performances from the strong supporting cast.

"Hammer Films" Lite for a Younger Audience.......2007-08-15

Screenwriter Brian Clemens was responsible for much of what made the TV series "The Avengers" great, and his touch shows here. It's too bad that nobody could decide precisely how to end this film, because up to there it's a very nice atmospheric suspense/mild horror film, very much in the grand Hammer tradition. Quite a departure for Disney at the time. Lynn Holly Johnson (who made about three films, playing an ice skater in two of them - wow what a stretch) is fine, and the rest of the cast are more than adequate, particularly the great Bette Davis as a Scary Old Lady With A Secret.* Well worth while, though none of the alternate endings actually work perfectly; the book's ending was a little tricky to translate to visuals, apparently. *One touch i greatly appreciated when first i saw the film was that, for the flashback, they didn't try to find an 18-year-old who looked like the young Bette [or use make-up to make a young actress look like her], but rather they seem to have found someone who, years later might well look like Davis in her later years. A subtle distinction, but nicely done, and not nearly so takes-you-out-of-the-moment as going "Wow - that girl looks just like Davis did in 'Petrified Forest'!"

THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!.......2007-04-04

The other versions don't include all the bonuses this one has. Even if you're not interested in the director's commentary and such, you will be interested in the strange and creepy alternate endings that Disney first had attached to this film, endings you cannot see anywhere else unless you buy this discontinued version.

Well worth it. :)

Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!.......2007-04-04

As a major lover of all things eighties, I was shocked when I recently heard of this movie in comparison with "Escape To Witch Mountain," one movie which I'd seen as a child and was wanting to see again now, as an adult. But I'd never even HEARD of "The Watcher In The Woods," so after seeing the many glowing reviews, I was determined to download it and see it as soon as humanly possible.

I just finished watching this excellently crafted movie from 1980 and must say, it REALLY stands the test of time. Though it actually feels set in the mid-Seventies (probably was filmed around 1978, which fits), it really holds up incredibly well close to thirty years later. It started off feeling quite a bit like a horror film, then started moving into territory closer to that of the recent gem "Pan's Labyrinth," introducing a decidedly magical element that really got under my skin, and stayed there for the remainder of the movie.

I totally agree with another person's review stating that Disney really doesn't make films like this anymore. It's a shame, too, because they SHOULD. The way the world is these days, a little magic and spiritual feel injected into their movies could really help things and bring back some of the long-lost feeling of beauty and wonder in our lives. Though I never managed to see this film as a child, I can't help but imagine what a major influence this would've been on me if I HAD seen it back then. It's really a great movie, and it's only a shame that Disney has wandered so far away from their original path of actively and passionately exploring our imaginations.

Fortunately we still have plenty of creative geniuses out there like Guillermo del Toro, Terry Gilliam, Darren Aronofsky and others who determinedly follow their hearts and continue to create stunningly passionate visions that simply and powerfully resonate within our souls. "The Watcher In The Woods" is one such vision, and although I wouldn't go so far as to call it a MASTERPIECE, it's definitely a great piece of movie-making history, and one which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to any fans of dark fantasy or magical fiction. [ Peace - Love - Unity - Respect ]

Scared of going into the woods? You should be..........2007-03-21

Yes, this is an "eerie" movie. Yes, some scenes will give you the creeps. But you can enjoy it without being scared. Look at it this way;
!SPOILER WARNING! The "Ghost" is good( it saves people's lives), nobody dies, there are no "badguys," and nothing bad happened to Karen(Katherine Levy.) I found it entertaining, with just the right amount of scaryness. I hope you do to!

I recommend Disney's "Child of Glass" to anyone who liked this movie.

Average customer rating:

W atchers
[For Watchers II] Who let this dog out?
If you've read the book, don't watch the movie
Dumb but well paced and fun
C'mon, it's b-movie fun!

Watchers / Watchers II
Starring: Michael Ironside , Christopher Cary , Graeme Campbell (II) , Lala Sloatman , and Dan O'Dowd
Director: Jon Hess , and Thierry Notz
Manufacturer: Live / Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000ALPFK
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Customer Reviews:

W atchers.......2007-02-11

Anyone giving this anything lower than 3 stars is just plain stupid. The movie was very good. Don't listen to the mourons. Try this movie, you won't regret it.

[For Watchers II] Who let this dog out?.......2006-02-19

Awful, just awful. I think it would have been just as awful if I hadn't read the book before I saw the movie and realized that it was butchered. Suspense in the book becomes boredom in the movie. Terror in the book becomes schlock in the movie. The Outsider looked like something created by a 1950s B-movie producer. All the best parts of human interaction are stripped out. Look, I know that a movie can't contain everything in the book, but still. Books can be significantly shortened and/or altered and yet still be great movies, like "Presumed Innocent" and "Patriot Games" (OK, so I'm a Harrison Ford fan -- so sue me). I guess the only thing that consoles me is that Mr. Koontz didn't write the screenplay, so I can still respect him.

And one other thing. I'm tired of being preached to by Hollywood liberals. One cannot purchase an MP5 or any other firearm on sight in California. The state has a 10-day waiting period for all firearms purchases and has had one for decades. See Cal. Penal Code 12071(b)(1)(3)(A) and 12072(c)(1).

If you've read the book, don't watch the movie.......2005-10-28

I am a devout Dean Koontz fan, I bow to his decandence filled elegance. The first book I read from him was "The Bad Place" and I haven't looked back. This movie is a slap in the face to the man who has given so many incredible stories.

I am a fan of cheesey, B-horror moves (see original "Dawn of the Dead", but a teenaged Corey Haim as a 40 something ex-special ops man, get real. Trust me DO NOT READ BOOK FIRST!!! If you haven't read book, you'll probably enjoy this cheesefest. I would give this movie no stars, but Amazon won't let me.

Mr. Koontz, since you have more control over how you're books are translated now, I hope there is a time when you can pay correct homage to Furball.

Dumb but well paced and fun.......2004-10-04

Based on the Dean Koonz novel, this is standard fun 80's horror. The concept of the two animal weapons is very inventive. An intelligent, genetically engineered golden retriever escapes from a military lab. Hunting him is the Oxcom, a curious baboon like monster(he actually looks for all the world like the title monsters from "Where the Wild Things Are"). The psychotic Oxcom is apparently tracking our lovable pooch by scent, and kills anyone who's in his path very efficiently. After all, he's a "combat mammal".
But wait! Yet another genetically altered killer here. A man played by Michael Ironside is tracking the beast as well, and killing all who come into contact with it(apparently for a govt clean up job).
Oh yeah, there's also Corey Please Give Me Work Haim as a teen who loves to feel up his girlfriend and cares for the dog. I don't know if this film was shot in Washington, New England, or maybe Canada, but it makes nice atmosphere.

The nasty italian lady's death was awesome.

C'mon, it's b-movie fun!.......2004-09-07

"Watchers" opens with an experiment gone horribly awry. The United States military, always up to no good according to Hollywood, came up with a really groovy way to rack up a high body count during a war. Panadyne, one of those secret Department of Defense research laboratories, developed two organic weapons systems. The first ingredient of the project is a dog, a very intelligent dog trained to roam enemy landscapes looking for soldiers and, one presumes, innocent civilians. Whoever finds the dog and befriends the creature is in for the shock of their life, though. You see, Panadyne also created a hideously twisted organism capable of wreaking bloody havoc in a big way. A telepathic link between the dog and this creature--called Oxcom--allows the creature and the dog to communicate. Moreover, Oxcom hates the dog with all of its being, and will do anything to track down the canine and destroy it. This hatred is in fact the primary motivation for the creature to act as a weapon of mass destruction. The opening sequences show us the inevitable; the dog and the creature escape from the laboratory and head out into the good old U.S. of A. looking for trouble.

Teenager Travis Cornell (Corey Haim) discovers the dog after fleeing from a covert meeting with his girlfriend. Immediately impressed with the canine's intelligence, Cornell takes the animal home even though his mother won't allow her son to keep pets in the house. As Travis blithely drives away, his girlfriend's father stumbles over Oxcom and perishes in a particularly horrible manner. The girlfriend escapes largely unharmed and summons the police to the farmhouse. An operative from the National Defense apparatus, Lem Johnson (Michael Ironside) and his partner, arrives on the scene looking to close up the potential security risks arising from the escape and subsequent killing. You can more or less imagine what follows for the rest of the film: Travis, his mother, and the dog soon flee from the ravaging Oxcom with Lem Johnson hot on their trail. Lots of gory murders take place as the creature kills everything in its march to the dog. The conclusion involves the obligatory violent showdown between Travis and the creature, with Lem Johnson revealing the requisite plot twist one always sees in these types of films. Oh, I almost forgot--Jason Priestley turns up to say hello as one of Travis's friends before falling under the bloody claws of Oxcom.

"Watchers II" is, surprisingly, not a total retread of the first film despite what others have said. On this outing, the weapons program involving the dog and the creature is still going strong, and once again a violent escape takes place. An army deserter named Paul Ferguson (Marc Singer) befriends the pooch after the creature kills the two MPs assigned to bring him in. Once again, the dog shows off its intelligence by managing to bring Paul into contact with animal psychologist Barbara White (Tracey Scoggins). With the help of the dog, Paul and Barbara figure out what's going on and make plans to destroy the vicious creature. Meanwhile, one of the doctors from the laboratory tracks down the creature and decides to take care of it out of a sense of misplaced love for his horrific creation. The conclusion to the film runs on and on for what feels like an eternity as Paul goes down into the sewer system in pursuit of the Oxcom creature.

I'm a bit surprised at the scorn heaped on these two movies. Both films are solid B budget efforts that do manage to entertain for a couple of hours. I've never read the Dean Koontz novel that gave birth to the "Watchers" franchise (there are two more sequels after the second entry), so perhaps that is why I can appreciate these films when others do not. Of the two films, I have to go with the first one as the better effort. It's fun to see Jason Priestley turned into ground beef by a slimy monster, and the gore effects are generous and look effective. Also, I'm a big Michael Ironside fan, so any film with him sneering and threatening is sure to grab my attention. The pitfalls of "Watchers" include Corey Haim at his smarmiest, and the increasingly goofy antics of the dog. I'll buy some of the tricks the pooch pulls off, but I was groaning with derision by the time the dog is typing out a message on a computer. But, and this is a big but, the dog is quite endearing and the movie makes you root for him almost from the get go.

"Watchers II" is classic B movie nirvana, a movie so pedestrian that you'll forget all about it five minutes after the credits roll. Yet the film does have a high point. Marc Singer possesses an amazing ability to act alongside animals. We saw him do it in "Beastmaster" and we see him do it here just as well. I always hear how actors can't stand to star opposite an animal because the critters take all the attention away from the human, but Singer doesn't seem to mind (insert your own joke here, please). He talks to the dog and responds to the animal's actions in such a way that you actually believe this pooch is a genius. Regrettably, Singer's skills with the beastie cannot rescue the film from lousy and sporadic gore effects, an incredibly ridiculous looking monster, and various creature feature clichés that hang over this picture like a cloud of doom. I recommend giving these two movies a shot if you're looking for something mindless to pass a few hours. As you should know by now, you could always do much, much worse.

Average customer rating:

Minor but intriguing thriller
"Hammer Films" Lite for a Younger Audience
THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!
Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!
Scared of going into the woods? You should be...

The Watcher in the Woods
Starring: Bette Davis , Lynn-Holly Johnson , Kyle Richards (II) , Carroll Baker , and David McCallum
Director: John Hough , and Vincent McEveety
Manufacturer: Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00003ETIS
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Minor but intriguing thriller.......2007-08-15

"Hammer Films" Lite for a Younger Audience.......2007-08-15

THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!.......2007-04-04

Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!.......2007-04-04

Scared of going into the woods? You should be..........2007-03-21

Average customer rating:

I'LL RIDE WITH DAVID ANYTIME!
KEANU REEVES
Suspensful!!!
Pyromaniac
Interesting to say the least.

The Watcher [Region 2]
Starring: James Spader , Keanu Reeves , Marisa Tomei , Ernie Hudson , and Chris Ellis
Director: Joe Charbanic
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005LWKV

Amazon.com

James Spader stars as Joel Campbell, a former detective traumatized by the death of his lover at the hands of a serial killer he'd been hunting--a psychopath who has taken their combative relationship a little too personally, and has now tracked the retired Campbell down in Chicago. The killer, who methodically studies his victims before killing them, starts sending Campbell photographs of prospective victims and gives him a day to find them before they're killed. Campbell rises to the challenge, returns to his role as detective, and launches a comprehensive manhunt for the killer and the women in the photographs. The Watcher is surprisingly watchable--though it does suffer from an excessive use of arty cinematography. But while the psychological interpretation of the killer's behavior is a little too schematic to be convincing, the portrayal of Campbell is quite strong, particularly due to Spader's performance. A much-underrated actor, Spader is lean and efficient in his portrayal, rarely given to flashy histrionics, but compelling and emotionally complex. Unfortunately, the killer is played by Keanu Reeves; and though Reeves isn't as terrible an actor as some critics may say, he's out of his depth here. Still, Spader carries most of the movie, and the sequences in which the police are trying to track down the victims are nicely suspenseful--in fact, the movie is overall more interested in suspense than gore, making it a pleasant change from most contemporary thrillers. Also starring Marisa Tomei as Campbell's psychiatrist and budding romantic interest. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

I'LL RIDE WITH DAVID ANYTIME!.......2007-05-15

THIS MOVIE IS PERFECTION!KEANU REEVES DOES A PERFECT JOB AS DAVID ALLEN GRIFFIN!THE BEST PART IS WHEN THE CHASE IS ON,AND DAVID PUT HIS CAR ON FIRE-HE DRIVES IT WITH IT STILL BURNING!THIS MOVIE HAS SO MUCH ACTION,AND EXCITEMENT.IT'S ALSO SUSPENSEFUL.

KEANU REEVES.......2007-04-02

KEANU REEVES DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB IN THIS MOVIE!HE HAS THE PERFECT LOOK AND ATTITUDE.THIS MOVIE'S FULL OF SUSPENSE,ACTION,AND EXCITEMENT.THIS IS THE BEST SERIAL KILLER MOVIE FROM 2000 TIL NOW,AND KEANU IS THE BEST ACTOR TO PLAY ONE!I LOVE HOW HE DROVE THE CAR,AND THEN HE PUT IT ON FIRE,AND HE STILL DRIVES!IF YOU LIKE SERIAL KILLER MOVIES-DEFINITELY GET THIS!I SEEN THIS MOVIE 4 TIMES AT THE THEATER,AND SO MANY TIMES HOME.THIS MOVIE IS EXCELLENT!

Suspensful!!!.......2007-02-13

I really liked this movie after watching it. It was very enjoyable for me and entertaining. I am a James Spader fan and do like all of his movies that he is in. I thought that it was a little twist on the murder mystery genre. I do recommend this movie to anyone that likes the murder mystery films.

Pyromaniac.......2007-01-25

Not a bad movie,it's admireable to watch the all-for-one spirit of collaboration among the policemen.It's full of actions and thrills.A woman is burnt to death like in the 16th century.
David Allen Griffin (Keanu Reeves) is not only a serial killer,but also a pyromaniac.An FBI agent Joel Campbell(James Spader) is appointed to capture the ruthless criminal.

Interesting to say the least........2007-01-17

im not a kid im 19 but it wont let me write reviews with my account cause i havent bought anything. Anyway i watched this movie around the time it was first released on vidoeo and i thought it was the creepiest movie. I am watching this movie right now and its been 5 years at least since i have seen it. It seems not creepy now. Keanu is known for his overacting and mostly crappy movies. i hate the slow mo shots because u get beyond dizzy. ironically i still find keanu hot in this movie. must be the hair. lol. the acting is atrocious except on the part of james spader, who i have always liked since stargate. well n e way looks like m stuck making kids reviews so im leaving a name so u can maybe look up my other kid reviews.

**DarkAlleyCat**

Average customer rating:

Minor but intriguing thriller
"Hammer Films" Lite for a Younger Audience
THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!
Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!
Scared of going into the woods? You should be...

The Watcher in the Woods [Region 2]
Starring: Bette Davis , Lynn-Holly Johnson , Kyle Richards (II) , Carroll Baker , and David McCallum
Director: John Hough , and Vincent McEveety
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001KZNEC

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Minor but intriguing thriller.......2007-08-15

"Hammer Films" Lite for a Younger Audience.......2007-08-15

THIS is the version you want, even if it's used!!.......2007-04-04

Beautiful & Spiritual 80s Dark Fantasy!.......2007-04-04

Scared of going into the woods? You should be..........2007-03-21

Average customer rating:

I'LL RIDE WITH DAVID ANYTIME!
KEANU REEVES
Suspensful!!!
Pyromaniac
Interesting to say the least.

The Watcher [Region 2]
Starring: James Spader , Keanu Reeves , Marisa Tomei , Ernie Hudson , and Chris Ellis
Director: Joe Charbanic
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005NBNL

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

I'LL RIDE WITH DAVID ANYTIME!.......2007-05-15

KEANU REEVES.......2007-04-02

Suspensful!!!.......2007-02-13

Pyromaniac.......2007-01-25

Interesting to say the least........2007-01-17

Average customer rating:

I'LL RIDE WITH DAVID ANYTIME!
KEANU REEVES
Suspensful!!!
Pyromaniac
Interesting to say the least.

The Watcher [Region 2]
Starring: James Spader , Keanu Reeves , Marisa Tomei , Ernie Hudson , and Chris Ellis
Director: Joe Charbanic
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005UPQB

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

I'LL RIDE WITH DAVID ANYTIME!.......2007-05-15

KEANU REEVES.......2007-04-02

Suspensful!!!.......2007-02-13

Pyromaniac.......2007-01-25

Interesting to say the least........2007-01-17

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