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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Booklet, Commentary, Interactive Menu, Photo Gallery, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: This film mixes social commentary and the occult in a tale about Joel, who has been acting strange lately. Very strange. Joel's sister Norah soon discovers that he has been victimized by voodoo, and is possessed by a violent spirit. Norah must figure out SCREENED/AWARDED AT: Berlin International Film Festival, ...The Possession of Joel Delaney
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
!!!WARNING. MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!
Wealthy Manhattan socialite Norah Benson(Shirley Maclaine) visits a large party with her brother Joel(Perry King). They make arrangements for him to come round for dinner the following night. Joel doesn't turn up and concerned, Norah phones his flat. He answers but does not speak. Norah rushes over just in time to see Joel arrested for assaulting his landlord and carted off to a psychiactric unit. Norah is convinced that drugs are responsible for her brothers actions. He admits taking L.S.D and is released into her custody. However the words that her brother says to her at the psychiactric unit-"You only see what you want to"- come back to haunt her as Joel starts to behave very strangely indeed. However, Norah is blind to the true terrifying reasons for Joel's behaviour....
This highly entertaining middle class 'nightmare' predates the higher profile satanic chills of 'The Exorcist' and is a contemporary of 'Rosemary's Baby'. In many ways this is pretty groundbreaking stuff, a film before its time. After all it was Friedkin's film that caused the boom in satanic horror films. Shirley Maclaine delivers a terrific performance in a role that is initially dislikeable. Norah Benson is aloof, snobbish and self important, and it's only the terrible events that start to overtake her life that open up her cocooned existance. King, on the other hand gives a full blooded performance worthy of David Hess at his most loopy.
There are many brilliant set pieces, notably a real tour-de-force centred around Joel's birthday, and the overwrought climax with the possessed Joel threatening Norah and her children at an isolated beach hut. This scene, pretty strong for the period it was made, is reminscant of the future 'class invasion' films such as Craven's Last House On The Left and Deodato's subsequent House At The Edge Of The Park. The we have the bleak 'twist' ending the likes of which were becoming more prevalent in the horror genre. Its works particularily well in this instance as it's played in such an understated way. The only negative for me in the film was how excellent British character actor Michael Hordern is wasted in what is essentially a bit-part.
It's an interesting horror film, a real discovery that has had an excellent dvd release here. The best extra on the disc is the commentary by horror experts Kim Newman and Stephen Jones. 4 out of 5 overall
Wealthy Manhattan socialite Norah Benson(Shirley Maclaine) visits a large party with her brother Joel(Perry King). They make arrangements for him to come round for dinner the following night. Joel doesn't turn up and concerned, Norah phones his flat. He answers but does not speak. Norah rushes over just in time to see Joel arrested for assaulting his landlord and carted off to a psychiactric unit. Norah is convinced that drugs are responsible for her brothers actions. He admits taking L.S.D and is released into her custody. However the words that her brother says to her at the psychiactric unit-"You only see what you want to"- come back to haunt her as Joel starts to behave very strangely indeed. However, Norah is blind to the true terrifying reasons for Joel's behaviour....
This highly entertaining middle class 'nightmare' predates the higher profile satanic chills of 'The Exorcist' and is a contemporary of 'Rosemary's Baby'. In many ways this is pretty groundbreaking stuff, a film before its time. After all it was Friedkin's film that caused the boom in satanic horror films. Shirley Maclaine delivers a terrific performance in a role that is initially dislikeable. Norah Benson is aloof, snobbish and self important, and it's only the terrible events that start to overtake her life that open up her cocooned existance. King, on the other hand gives a full blooded performance worthy of David Hess at his most loopy.
There are many brilliant set pieces, notably a real tour-de-force centred around Joel's birthday, and the overwrought climax with the possessed Joel threatening Norah and her children at an isolated beach hut. This scene, pretty strong for the period it was made, is reminscant of the future 'class invasion' films such as Craven's Last House On The Left and Deodato's subsequent House At The Edge Of The Park. The we have the bleak 'twist' ending the likes of which were becoming more prevalent in the horror genre. Its works particularily well in this instance as it's played in such an understated way. The only negative for me in the film was how excellent British character actor Michael Hordern is wasted in what is essentially a bit-part.
It's an interesting horror film, a real discovery that has had an excellent dvd release here. The best extra on the disc is the commentary by horror experts Kim Newman and Stephen Jones. 4 out of 5 overall
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This movie should have cult viewing status. It is wonderful in the way it slowly but surely cranks up the tension, and keeps the viewer rivetted to their seats. It is obviously a little dated, but so many modern horror movies could learn so much from the psychological terror that builds in this one, without relying on gratuitous gore.
Sadly this movie seems all but forgotten. A few reviewers here raise issues of whether it is cut or not (this is the full, uncut movie. It may be that scenes have been cropped, but if they have, few people will notice or care). Other than that there is not nearly enough discussion of how good this movie is.
Sadly this movie seems all but forgotten. A few reviewers here raise issues of whether it is cut or not (this is the full, uncut movie. It may be that scenes have been cropped, but if they have, few people will notice or care). Other than that there is not nearly enough discussion of how good this movie is.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'm not going to spoil this for anyone with a synopsis of the plot, but if like myself you enjoy the fear and tension of such movies as Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, then give this your attention. This DVD is great value and the picture and sound quality are massive improvements over the old open-matte VHS tape.
I really enjoy the performances in this especially Shirley Mclaine as the increasingly concerned sister of title character Joel.
1970's New York looks as vibrant as it does in many other films of this era, but we are treated to some kinetic NY street scenes.
I feel emotionally engaged with this movie and the way in which the feeling of dread builds to an unforgettably creepy climax of desolation.
Horror fans please support this release, and we may get more such cinematic treats unearthed for our delectation.
Now if only the same company would release Fragments of Fear or Voices
I really enjoy the performances in this especially Shirley Mclaine as the increasingly concerned sister of title character Joel.
1970's New York looks as vibrant as it does in many other films of this era, but we are treated to some kinetic NY street scenes.
I feel emotionally engaged with this movie and the way in which the feeling of dread builds to an unforgettably creepy climax of desolation.
Horror fans please support this release, and we may get more such cinematic treats unearthed for our delectation.
Now if only the same company would release Fragments of Fear or Voices
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