My Amityville Horror

For the first time in thirty-five years, Daniel Lutz recounts his version of the infamous Amityville haunting that terrified his family in 1975...

What this film does not do is solve the mystery of the Amityville house and whether or not it was haunted. So if you are already familiar with that and hoped for proof of ghosts or a debunking, this will not change your mind one way or the other. (Although, if like me you knew very little of the true story, this will fill in a lot of gaps.)

This is not a film of the haunting, but rather the effects on the boy who lived in the house, Daniel Lutz, now around fifty years old. He believes the house was haunted and that he was possessed. Are we to believe him, or is he crazy or is his memory faulty from years of abuse from his stepfather? Different viewers will take away different things from this documentary. Some might go away saying that Lutz is sincere an therefore the haunting was real. Others will say he is completely off his rocker. This ambiguity actually shows how good of a documentary it is -- the film is not concerned with convincing you one way or the other, it just wants to show you the facts and let you decide for yourself.

Some parts are a bit slow and repetitive, but the film as a whole is short enough that this can be overlooked. There is also a great cast of characters. Lutz is front and center, but we also meet up with investigative reporters and paranormal researchers who were at the house in 1975 who are reflecting on their experiences decades later. One woman, Lorraine Warren, who raises roosters and claims to have a piece of the cross that Jesus was crucified on is quite interesting (and again, how you interpret this scene will depend on your views of the paranormal and supernatural).

The biggest disappointment is that Daniel Lutz's two siblings declined to be involved with the project. Although they were probably too young to have any coherent memories of the Amityville house, they could offer valuable insight into living with George Lutz, as well as give their impressions of Daniel's state of mind. A sequel documentary, perhaps?

While not the most socially or politically important documentary to come out in recent years, it is a film that should be viewed by both paranormal enthusiasts and those who have appreciated the horror genre. One looks at the "Amityville Horror" film series differently when you know -- or think you know -- the true story.

Great movie. It's more about childhood trauma and human perception than about the scary things that may or may not have happened at the Amityville house.

If you're looking for a good ghost story or spectacular new revelations you're going to be disappointed. My Amityville horror asks more questions than it answers and does it in a fascinating way.

Daniel Lutz is obviously scarred by everything that took place and uses the opportunity to exorcise some demons of his own. Does that make him a reliable witness? That's up to the viewer.

Highly recommended.

This documentary focuses on Daniel Lutze. Throughout the movie he tries to convince you that he's haunted by this experience. Nothing could be further from the truth, he relishes in it. It's probably the only thing of note in his life. He tries to intimidate everyone around him by being confrontational and arrogant, even though he's only about 5'4" and 135lbs.

I would not be surprised at all if he insisted that his guitar playing had to be part of the film in order for him to do it. It adds absolutely nothing to the production.

During the retelling of him witnessing his step father levitate a wrench across a room you can tell he's making this entire story up as he's telling it. His mannerisms, his eye movements and speech give it all away. He is so used to telling lies about that time in his life, it just comes natural to him anymore.

He's a sad man and his reaction to taking a polygraph test shows his true nature. "After this is over, you and I are going to have some words about this"........ Really? Let's have the words right now, tough guy! He's a tool and fool.

Back in 1979, writer Jay Anson wrote a story about a real-life newlywed couple that moved into a new house in Long Island where a murder was committed. Upon moving in, the couple and their three children began to experience strange occurrences and manifestations that could not be easily explained.

The book was The Amityville Horror and its popularity in paperback drove MGM Studio's to option a screenplay by Sandor Stern (Pin) which soon became a popular movie of the same name starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder. The Amityville house soon became – and still is – the most recognized haunted house in the world. And even though the Lutz family moved out when the terror reached its pinnacle 35-years ago, the experiences and memories of the horrors experienced in the house haunts the family to this day.

Daniel Lutz was a member of the terrorized Amityville family and his story of experiences back in 1975 is the focus of My Amityville Horror, a new documentary by filmmaker Eric Walter. Daniel has stayed fairly quiet about his family's ordeal three decades ago and now he is ready to tell his story and reveal the psychological strains and scars that have plagued him for 35 years. The documentary that includes exhaustive research by Walter includes perspectives of those close to either the family or the house during the events of 1975 and many are interviewed offering their insight and recollection into what may have (or have not) happened to the fated Lutz family.

For those expecting a seriously scary insight into the unexplained events in the Amityville home, you may be disappointed. My Amityville Horror doesn't offer any new real insights. Daniel does speak of levitating beds, the infestation of flies and a few other unexplainable phenomena, but the heart of the movie is really a character study of the boy who became a man amongst media scrutiny and mockery.

Daniel comes across as a complex and angry man. He calls his experience in Amityville an 'unfortunate gift' and he gets defensive if cornered (Lesson learned: Don't ever ask Daniel to take a lie detector test). He is both playful and willing but when discussing uneasy topics such as his turbulent relationship with his stepfather, George Lutz, Daniel can be seen almost frothing at the mouth barely containing his rage so that his blood pressure doesn't make his head explode on screen.

Audiences will endear themselves to the older Daniel. He will remind you of the guy who sits at the end of the bar at the local tavern and has fascinating stories to tell. He won't be the type of person that gives you comfort and who you might pursue to tend to your children, but he is genuine and honest through the many layers of his complex personality.

As a documentary, Watler's meticulous detail and use of both stock and family photos allow us a glimpse into the Lutz family. Not so much a glimpse into the house that the Lutz family thought possessed, but a rare peak into a complex and dysfunctional family that may or may not have been terrorized by spirits in their Ocean Ave. home.

www.killerreviews.com

My Amityville Horror (2012)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Daniel Lutz was the stepson of George Lutz who most will remember as the father who claimed that his home in Amityville was haunted, which led to a bestselling book as well as a hit film, which followed with countless sequels. This is without question the most famous haunted house in history but more recently most people believe it was all just a hoax. Speaking for the first time, Daniel certainly doesn't believe it was a hoax as he explains what exactly happened inside the house as well as the various other forms of abuse that he suffered through the hands of George. Those expecting this to prove the Amityville case will probably be disappointed. While it's true that the case is discussed in great detail, I think the real focus of the film is on the mental state of Daniel and the obvious abuse he got from his stepfather. Look, no one except for the Lutz's will ever know what really happened in that house but after seeing this film I think I'm pushed further into believing that nothing did. It's clear that Daniel is suffering from some very strong mental problems, which are either true or perhaps everything here was just a performance. Again, only he will know for certain. Hearing the various stories of abuse he took from his stepfather and hearing how he felt his mother left him is something that could haunt a person just as much as a ghost inside the house. There are times when his stories are quite chilling but how much you believe them is going to have a lot of impact. It's worth noting that a title card at the end says the other two children were originally going to take part in the documentary but backed out. Also interviewed are many of the original journalists who covered the case as well as Lorraine Warren who of course is red hot now thanks to THE CONJURING.