The Possessed

In 2023 the kitschy opening scene comes off more like the origin of a supervillain rather than of the hero the man is obviously supposed to be. Kindly setting that aside, this made-for-TV horror movie progresses with much the same tenor as most of its kin, with a lot of conversation, straightforward dramatic airs, and investigation flavored with only touches of abnormal goings-on for much of the length. Those abnormalities do escalate, in fairness, and there's a nice twist to come when we're about three-quarters of an hour through. Then again, is it actually a twist if the script strangely doesn't do anything with it? I don't think it's so simple as to say that 'The possessed' is just altogether bad; I see what it did well, and there are worse ways to spend one's time. There's also a great deal that it does poorly, however, and sadly I just don't think it's very good.

Past that revelation with which the script does nothing, we climb into the home stretch of these seventy-six minutes and have to wonder if the chief abnormality of the whole production hasn't actually been the writing all along. Substantial portions of the dialogue and scene writing are pretty much just senseless; elsewhere they're vague, or scattered; at other times a moment comes across as overly direct. All this applies equally to the direction, and the actors can only try to make the most of it all with their best earnest effort. The acting comes off better at some points more than others, yet unfortunately I don't think there's any point weaker than the climax. Joan Hackett seems to be having fun, at least, but my reaction swiftly went from "hey, she's really leaning into it" to laughing at how over the top it was. That climax is also written and shot so sloppily that it's almost incohesive, and the resolution thereof - while marked by a neat effect - feels so much like John Sacret Young just shoving his typewriter off the desk and exclaiming "done" without actually finding a real solution.

In that climax, by the way, we also see how while the makeup artists did fine work, they were apparently instructed to piggyback off of 'The exorcist.' This dovetails neatly into how Leonard Rosenman's score hovers between conventional TV thriller music, and borrowing from Jerry Goldsmith's timeless compositions for 'The omen.' I do actually like the effects here, and I think there was strong potential in the concept, and in some of the story threads. However, though Leahy seems to be posited as a figure of momentous import, the script does nothing meaningful with him. The reveal of the antagonist comes from out of nowhere; the moments preceding the climactic showdown portend something bigger and more wicked afoot, but the screenplay just can't be bothered to explore any such possibilities. 'The possessed' is a picture that relies on the big beats of the narrative to carry the day, trusting that it will be enough, but the writing is ultimately so simplistic in that regard, and otherwise extremely variable in its quality, that the whole can never capture a spark of vitality.

To each their own. Other folks will watch this and just think it's a good time. I want to like it more than I do, honestly, in recognition of the hard work that went into it. Yet the issue is that the value it can claim is outweighed far too much by its faults and shortcomings, and what entertainment the feature can offer is saddled with observation of one foible after another. Yes, there are worse ways to spend your time, but with so many other things to enjoy instead, there's little reason to direct our attention here. 'The possessed' isn't outright awful, but in the very least it needed much more careful, thoughtful, and focused writing and direction to succeed, and the finished film as we see it is all too lacking.

Along with Gargoyles, Trilogy of Terror & Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, this movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. The premise, though somewhat formulaic, is still quite effective in this flick. The possession scenes are great, with a particular "hell yea!" during the nail spitting sequence! THAT freaked me out. Poor Harrison Ford hides from this film like it's leprosy or something. I dunno why...it beats "The Devil's Own" ANY day!!!

J Richter

The Possessed (1977)

*** (out of 4)

Father Kevin Leahy (James Farentino) is in an automobile accident when he is pronounced dead on the scene. In the limbo he hears a voice telling him to return to life and seek out the Evil in the world. Soon afterwards he ends up at a girl's boarding school in Salen, Oregon where mysterious fires have been breaking out. The head mistress (Joan Hackett), her sister (Claudette Nevins) and her younger daughter (Ann Dusenberry) all seem to have some sort of connection.

THE POSSESSED is without question one of the better made-for-television horror movies ever made. It's kind of funny that Warner now handles the release of the picture since it was released the same year as their disastrous EXORCIST II. There's no question that this movie was probably inspired by THE EXORCIST but everything wrong with that film's sequel is certainly improved on here. There's no doubt that I went into the movie not sure what to expect but I walked away with an extremely good film that manages to feature great performances and a pretty good story.

The performances are certainly a major plus because there's quite a bit of character development here. Farentino is wonderful as the Father who finds himself trying to figure out exactly why he was brought back to life and who is behind these Satanic fires. Nevins is also excellent in her role as the mother and Dusenberry is also good. The supporting cast includes Dinah Manoff, P.J. Soles and Diana Scarwid. The biggest name is Harrison Ford who is excellent in a small role as a professor. The film also benefits from some nice cinematography and an extremely effective music score.

Another thing that really works for the movie is its pacing by director Jerry Thorpe. He certainly knows how to keep the film moving and manages to make the story quite interesting and makes it hold your attention even without the big-budget special effects. The ending itself is quite good, although there's no question that they were going for the same feel as THE EXORCIST. THE POSSESSED isn't a masterpiece but it's about as good as a film like this can get.

The legend could be Star Wars made Harrison. Well, Harrison's acting talent existed before the trilogy and this movie, as well as American Graffiti, are here to prove that.

Harrison plays a Don Juanesque teacher in a catholic girl school in which happens demoniac phenomena. He has already his cool attitude and that's why i like him.

Sure the story is a rip-off of the famous exorcist (only a non conformist priest can help them!) but the production is not that bad, especially when you compare it to today productions. Here the effects are authentic, the photography luminous and clear and the story has a direct plot and not a melting-polt of opinions or a collage of bloody, shocking scenes.

So the 70s was the best period from this frightening genre and even a poor production from this time excels from the today stinkers!

"The Possessed" is better than you might expect, mainly due to the absence of gore and shocks (since this is a TV movie, they didn't even get to show any nudity). The recently deceased James Farentino plays a priest investigating strange occurrences in a girls' school in Salem, Oregon. One of the most famous things about the movie nowadays is that it was probably Harrison Ford's final role before he became known as Han Solo. But like I said, the emphasis on suspense rather than gore and special effects strengthens the movie. The last ten minutes turn out to be the really creepy part of the movie. It's definitely worth seeing if you get a chance. Also starring Joan Hackett, P.J. Soles (Norma in "Carrie") and Diana Scarwid (Christina in "Mommie Dearest").