The Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror is a 1979 American supernatural horror film based on Jay Anson's book of the same name. Directed by Stuart Rosenberg, it features James Brolin and Margot Kidder.

Plot
Chiller about a family (James Brolin, Margot Kidder) who are terrorised by supernatural forces when they move into a new house in New York State which was the scene of a recent mass killing and the home of an 18th-century satanist. When swarms of flies appear from nowhere and the pipes and walls begin to ooze slime and blood, they call on a local priest (Rod Steiger) to exorcise the evil spirits.

Cast

 * James Brolin as George Lutz
 * Margot Kidder as Kathleen "Kathy" Lutz
 * Rod Steiger as Father Delaney
 * Don Stroud as Father Bolen
 * Murray Hamilton as Father Ryan
 * John Larch as Father Nuncio
 * Natasha Ryan as Amy
 * K. C. Martel as Greg
 * Meeno Peluce as Matt
 * Michael Sacks as Jeff
 * Helen Shaver as Carolyn
 * Amy Wright as Jackie the babysitter
 * Val Avery as Sgt. Gionfriddo
 * Elsa Raven as Mrs. Townsend
 * Irene Dailey as Aunt Helena
 * Marc Vahanian as Jimmy
 * Ellen Saland as Jimmy's wife
 * Eddie Barth as Agucci
 * James Tolkan as Coroner

Critical response
Though a commercial success, the film received generally negative reviews from critics such as Leonard Maltin and Roger Ebert, the latter describing it as "dreary and terminally depressing". Based on 29 reviews, the film has a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus: "Dull and disappointing, the best that can be said for The Amityville Horror is that it set a low bar for its many sequels and remakes. "The film resulted in several lawsuits.