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One would never believe that a made-for-TV horror movie could be any good, but this one is a nice surprise. I didn't see this as a kid, and good thing because I would of never slept again! Creepy and weird! The one down side is that it kind of falls apart towards the end. It goes from being good to being a typical cheesy horror movie. But worth seeing all the same.

A family is moving to grandmother's home for a while . The daddy , Phillip (Dennis Weaver) is angry and not good fun. The mummy , Laura (Valerie Harper) is worried about living with her own mother (Ruth Gordon) , but she hopes that this will be the opportunity to forget Jennifer's death , a former daughter who died at a car crash . There are also two children, the sensitive Mary (Robin Ignico), who has suffered from the most terrible recurring nightmare caused for a previous accident , and naughty little boy Kevin (Oliver Robins), who enjoys scaring his sister. As soon son they arrive at house , strange events occuring , bizarre appearances and creepy happenings . Later on , the mother makes a tortuous discovery, as the cherubic daughter harbors a sinister desire . Mary is right !. A hidden shame out in the open and the most terrifying rock-bottom a girl ever hit !.

Acceptable frightening movie , though it is more a psychological terror than a pure horror movie ; however , resulting to be some claustrrophobic . A Fairly TV Horror-Mystery-Thriller with several eerie events and plot twists . It turs out to be a decent shocker movie in The Bad Seed (1956) style , the latter is the main representation in the ¨bad little child¨ sub-genre about kiddies with their own evil purposes . Main and support cast are pretty good . Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper as the parents give splendid interpretations . While the children played by Robin Ignico , Kristin Cumming , Oliver Robins are frankly well , in spite of being newcomers and their short age . Along with the elderly Ruth Gordon who shows her usual seniority and professionality.

It contains a thrilling and suspenseful musical score by prestigious and prolific Dominic Frontiere . Being produced by two known magnates of the American television : Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer . The motion picture was professionally directed by Richard Lang , though has some flaws and gaps . He was a good craftsman who used to work for TV , directing episodes of famous television series , such as : Beverly Hills, 90210 , Melrose Place , Burke Law , True Blue , Perry Mason , Strike Force , Kung Fu , Fantasy Island , Charlie's Angels , Matt Houston , Harry O , Julia , and occasionally for cinema , such as : The Mountain Men and Blood, Black and White. Rating : 5.5/10. Acceptable and passable.

I recently heard about this movie and found a 'collector's copy' (read: bootleg) on e-bay(it's a made-for-tv film that was never released on video). To say this movie is scary, creepy and one of the best tv movies ever made is a complete understatement. After watching it, I was stunned and totally freaked out. Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper are amazing as the parents of a little girl who keeps seeing the ghost of her dead sister, killed a year earlier in a mysterious accident (I guarantee you M. Night Shumaylan used this film as an inspiration for THE SIXTH SENSE). The scene where Weaver and Harper confront/attack each other over the death of their child is frightening and heartbreaking. That scene alone should have netted both of them an emmy, especially Harper. She's brilliant.

Frightening, eerie, creepy, and very ballsy for a tv movie from 1982 (produced by Aaron Spelling!). Current television MOW writers should hang their heads in shame when they compare the current disease-of-the-week drivel they churn out with this classic ghost story (written by actor Ned Wynn, son of actor Keenan Wynn). Whoever owns the rights to this (I'm assuming ABC) please get it out on DVD or else I'M gonna start bootlegging it! The public has GOT to get this!

What we have here is a made for TV horror movie from the eighties. There was some pretty good stuff made for the box during the 1970's, and it would seem that tradition was carried on, at least until the early part of the eighties, as Don't Go to Sleep is one of the best made for television horror films that I've seen. Naturally, given the fact that this film was made for television, it's not as graphic as most of the horror output in the eighties, and the obvious budget limitations mean that this can sometimes feel like a TV serial rather than a proper film, but still Richard Lang's film gets it's point across and manages to be entertaining for it's duration. The plot follows a family that move into a new home in the country after a terrible car accident that left one of the daughters dead. However, the remaining daughter soon begins hearing things at the new house, and it's not long before she's 'in league' with her dead sister and carrying out her revenge - by picking off members of her own family one by one!

The film's main influences would appear to be the classic films, The Bad Seed and Psycho. Both of these films are massive favourites of mine, and while this one is nowhere near as good as either, the way that the plot takes influence from both is good in that it uses the influence well to come up with a somewhat 'new' story. The characters aren't too badly drawn considering that this is a TV movie, and the director ensures that the family members do somewhat reflect real life, although it could be said that the characters are clichéd. The film features some decent performances from the central cast. Robin Ignico is the standout in her role as the demented daughter, and receives good support from Dennis Weaver in the role of her father; although for me, Ruth Gordon was ineffective as the mother. The film succeeds overall due to the fact that it's always a lot of fun to watch, and thankfully it all boils down to a satisfying conclusion that justifies watching the film. Overall, compared to other horror films; this one isn't brilliant, but it's a cut above a lot of direct to TV stuff.

Phillip (Dennis Weaver), his wife Laura (Valerie Harper) and his children Kevin (Oliver Robins) and Mary (Robin Ignico) travel to a large house in a small town where Phillip found a job. They meet with his mother-in-law Bernice (Ruth Gordon) that will live with them. The family is trying to overcome the loss of their daughter and sister Jennifer (Kristin Cumming), who died in a car accident. Soon, Mary overhears sounds in her room and has an accident with fire in her bed. Then she meets the ghost of Jennifer in her room that gives bad advises to her. While Mary has sessions with the psychologist Dr. Cole (Robert Webber), her grandmother, her brother and her father die in accidents. Is Mary with sanity problem or there is an evil entity in the house?

"Don't Go to Sleep" is a scary film for TV with magnificent performance of the girl Robin Ignico. The screenplay of the creepy and ambiguous story is very well-written and leaves doubts to the viewer. The fire in Mary's room might have been an accident by Kelvin with his Benson burner since he is shy when his father is firefighting. The viewer does not see who the killer of Bernice, Kevin and Phillip is. Even the conclusion is not clear whether it was a nightmare. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Não Adormeça" ("Don't Sleep")

This one isn't too bad. About the first half of the film felt more like a film that is directed a little more for younger audiences than the last half of the film where it seems a bit more geared for adult audiences. It starts out kinda creepy but cutesy and ends up on the frightful side.

My question is: If the older daughter can come back as a ghost for revenge then why not the other dead family members? They had very good reasons to come back for revenge too on _______ (I can't give it away can I?!) I'll confess that parts of the beginning of the film had me scrolling through it (fast-forwarding at times) because it was the "family stuff" going on the screen that was a bit boring to watch for me. Maybe it's just my current mood that had me bored with those scenes. BUT I did watch the last half of the film more intently because that's when it became more interesting to me.

I for one can sleep easily after this film - but it might give others a terrible scare with that ending.

6.5/10

I've rated this movie higher than I would if it were theatrically released. One of the biggest problems with nearly every TV movie is pacing. Arranging the story so there is enough suspense to keep an audience through commercials tends to create awkward pacing, and this movie is no exception. But the movie has enough of a story to keep things moving forward. Direction is largely competent, except for a very poor opening credits sequence. Script is also acceptable. Characters are not especially likable, but in a story like this, that doesn't matter much.

There are two scenes that especially stuck in my memory as a child; the first being the frisbee scene. The second was the pizza cutter. Given the lack of real menace in the movie, the direction was surprisingly effective in making things creepy.

I only wish that made-for-TV productions kept this sort of sensibility.

Entirely worth tracking down for aficionados of early 80s horror.

I searched and searched for this movie for years and finally found it. What once scared the crap out of me made me laugh. The acting is terrible, for one, and the film itself is very dated. It does have a good basis for a story, but it simply doesn't hold to the test of time. If you saw this one when you were younger, just remember it. Don't try to find it and ruin what you remember.

Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper are well-cast as bickering marrieds with two kids who move into a new house apparently haunted by the ghost of Jennifer, their deceased eldest child--whom only the younger daughter can see or hear. This Aaron Spelling-produced TV movie is pitched way over the top. Between Weaver whining about his reputation at his new job and crusty curmudgeon Ruth Gordon as Harper's mother (who moves in along with the family), it's doubtful any spirit would want to attach itself to this noisy brood. Hectic supernatural thriller picks off its cast unsympathetically, while director Richard Lang shows no talent for handling child actors. Derivative teleplay by Ned Wynn (actor Keenan's son) is full of familiar elements, tastelessly rendered.

I was quite young when I first saw this movie and it left a lasting impression on me to say the very least. Because of how young I was, I had a very difficult time remembering the title, but the movie itself stayed with me well into adulthood. I could only remember bits and pieces: a family of five gets into a car accident, the oldest sister does not survive, and a creepy scene with a pizza cutter running along the banister. That was about it but it was enough.

Finally, I found the title of this movie (Oddly enough by searching for "death by pizza cutter" as a joke on google.com) and couldn't believe after all this time I had found it!

Although this movie is obviously early 80's, the story, acting, and general creepiness has been able to withstand the test of time. Sure, there are moments of cheesiness, but that's a given for most horror/thriller movies and really only adds to the fun in watching one. I simply cannot believe this was a made for tv movie, and it's disgusting that few movies now can live up to a small flick from the 80's. There has been only one movie that was released relatively recently that came close to inspiring that same fear: Intensity.

Gore and violence is not really a part of this movie. It captivates through suggestion at times, and the building up of fear and through the playing of psychological games. Honestly, this movie was INCREDIBLE. If you have the chance, SEE IT! Try not to think in terms of modern filmmaking capabilities and rather see this movie for what it was and continues to be: a creepy, thrilling horror movie. I guarantee, once this movie gets you into its clutches, it will refuse to let go. Undoubtedly 10 out of 10 stars...an incredible rating for a MFTV movie...especially one from the 80's.

I've seen this eerie film back in 1986 at my aunt's house. It was unexpected at the time, I was looking for a family movie, and it turned out to be a spooky shocker. It took place in December of 1982 where a girl named Mary survived an auto accident along with her family...her sister Jennifer did not make it. Jump a year later which was initiated from the opening, poor Mary seems to be having nitemares of her deceased sister Jennifer. She even hears Jennifer calling her name through the dark. Soon enough, the late Jennifer appears under Mary's bed. The dead sister makes nocturnal visits and Mary is astounded. Later, weird sudden deaths occur in the family(I will not say the specifics). Mary may be responsible...but is Jennifer making her do it? The movie takes a number of turns toward the climax and closing credits. For years I was appalled by this movie, merely because I did not understand it. I last saw this film in 1998 on the late night movie and appreciated it even better for the slick direction and execution of the actors. It holds an intense atmosphere, because of its disguise as wonderland with Alice(Jennifer) lurking around in it. This is a well-done TV movie and should be watched if possible. Home video rental is nearly hopeless, with this film being out of production for more than a decade. Good luck.

This was a tacky tacky film. But it takes place in my house (well, now it's my house) so its interesting to watch it. My house looks exactly the same save for the tree in the front yard. The bedroom of the little girl in this movie is actually my bedroom now. I find it funny that this movie was supposed to take place in Northern California when in reality, the house is in West Los Angeles, the Brentwood Area of Los Angeles to be exact. I didn't find this movie to be all that suspenseful, and I thought the plot made absolutely no sense whatsoever. This was a TV movie, so I wasn't expecting emmy-award winning quality, but at least the story could've had some thought to it. The end scene is absurd, and makes no sense. I thought it was funny that while I was watching this movie, there happened to be a scene which took place in the room I happened to be in while watching the movie. When Rhoda falls down the stairs, it makes me laugh, because my mother did the same thing on the same flight of stairs.

This film made such an impression on me that I can even remember our local TV critic saying that he had not seen it, but, ABC was particularly impressed with the final product, handing out rubber lizards with review tapes.

This intriguing nugget only spiked my interest and believe me, this film is the real deal.

Ned Wynn wrote a screenplay that was ready for major film production. The dialog and story is filled with pathos and heartbreaking family conflicts. Wrapped around this is a ghostly tale of madness and revenge.

A top-notch cast, including Ruth Gordon, Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper, seemingly inspired by the strong story give heartfelt and sometimes painfully real performances, but it is the acting of young Robin Ignico as Mary, who really carries the film with a bravura performance, especially in the closing act. Kudos should also go to Kristen Cumming as Jennifer. Perhaps the scariest ghost ever on television The story follows the horrifying breakdown of a family through the apparent ghostly manipulations of a recently deceased daughter, who's tragic death demands revenge.

The story pulls no punches with suspense and shocks, with the ghostly Jennifer's startling first appearance and the final scene being highlights. Smartly, the script allows for both a mundane or supernatural explanation. Take your pick, but you don't have to ask what I think.

A true classic that should have been released on video a long time ago.

Sorry, I only got about a quarter of the way through this heap of garbage, but don't go moaning about not being able to judge a film before seeing it through to the end ... Mostly I agree with that, if a film is at least offering something ... This has obviously been churned out by some writer and director that don't give a damn or have any talent ... And it was edited by some hack with a chainsaw ... Yes this film may be useful to a class teaching editing, as a joke on how not to do things, but as anything else it is a waste of time... Get a life, even housework is better than watching this piece of rubbish

I saw this movie as a kid and was NEVER able to get it out of my mind. A dead girl, Jennifer, comes back to haunt her younger sister, Mary, and the two wreak havoc (in the form of accidents) on the rest of their family. Everyone still blames themselves for Jennifer's death while Mary seems to think that she was the only one who TRULY cared for her. The big shocker occurs as a flashback scene towards the end of the movie where we see who is really responsible for Jennifer's death. This movie makes "Made-For-TV" look extremely good! Poor Oliver Robins from "Poltergeist" fame plays yet ANOTHER brother stuck in the middle of a very unlucky family. So far, I've only seen this movie in one rental store so it IS out there somewhere.

It's very interesting to watch a movie you saw as a pre-teen through adult eyes.

It's paced for the two hour time slot a made for TV movie must have, but it's still pretty solid.

It's one of the best TV movies in this genre. It holds up, still scary. So scary, in fact, it's a little hard to believe it IS a network movie.

The first time I watched this film "Don't go to sleep" I was just a kid. I can only remember the girl with the pizza cutter! Now I recently decided to look at it for a second time as an adult. Looking at it differently, I can honestly say this wasn't scary, spooky or even horror. The whole story was just off. The parents were annoying, and the grandmother was just a vile human being for smoking in bed and in the house. The way she treated her grandkids was terrible, as she favoured Jennifer and Kevin, but she ignored Mary. The film was awful and in bad taste.