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Amazon.com
Released a year after John Carpenter's 1978 Halloween, this thriller by longtime actor-turned-director Fred Walton has held a strong following of its own. In an exemplary piece of suspense, the film begins with a babysitter (Carol Kane) fielding threatening phone calls while on the job. She soon finds that a pair of children in her charge have been murdered in their beds; she is nearly killed herself by the homicidal maniac before police arrive. As with Halloween, the action jumps some years ahead, when Kane's character is herself a wife and mother--and the monster escapes from a mental institution to re-create his original carnage in the heroine's own home. Between these exciting bookends, the film loses its way and becomes dissatisfying and obscure. But Walton compensates by engineering a couple of great horror moments worth savoring. Tom Keogh
Product Description
WHEN A STRANGER CALLS - DVD Movie
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By Billie Mann
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"When A Stranger Calls" came out the year after the original "Halloween", and although it is not as widely acclaimed or known, it's just as scary, if not scarier, in a much more subtle manner.
The film starts off with Jill (Carol Kane), a young babysitter minding two small children for the evening, the children having already been put to bed for the night by the parents before they leave. She begins to receive anonymous, frightening phone calls with the caller ominously asking, "Have you checked the children?" and "Why haven't you checked the children?" then hanging up. Scared, she calls the police, who at first tell her to calm down, then instruct her to try to keep the caller on the line if he calls again, so the call can be traced. When she obliges and they trace the call, the real terror starts. I remember when I first saw this film, and my reaction to this revelation was unparalleled by any film I had seen at that time.
I am trying not to give away too much - if you haven't seen this film, be careful of other online reviews; I came across several that were real spoilers, and without any forewarning.
The first part of "When A Stranger Calls" is very fast-paced, then the middle part takes the audience seven years ahead; Jill is now a married mother. The film slows and becomes more of a psychological study; the criminal from the beginning sequence has escaped from the asylum. Along his wanderings he comes across Tracy (Colleen Dewhurst), a tough barfly he fixates upon. John Clifford (Charles Durning), who was the police detective investigating the original case, re-enters the scenario to try to track down the escaped madman, Curt Duncan (Tony Beckley).
This part of the movie is slower but much more interesting, in my opinion, and shows how scary a film can be without any real gore factor. Tony Beckley (in his last role) is very convincing as a murderous madman; his careful and understated portrayal make the character Curt Duncan even more terrifying. Colleen Dewhurst's performance as Tracy helps this part of the film move very well (she was always an extremely good actress) and she makes Tracy's toughness, vulnerability, and smarts very believable. Charles Durning as Detective Clifford is a typical part for him, and he handles it well, with his usual street-savvy tough-guy exterior aplomb.
The direction by Fred Walton, and the subtle, creepy soundtrack help push this film beyond the realm of being just another standard 1970's scream-inducing shock flick.
The film starts off with Jill (Carol Kane), a young babysitter minding two small children for the evening, the children having already been put to bed for the night by the parents before they leave. She begins to receive anonymous, frightening phone calls with the caller ominously asking, "Have you checked the children?" and "Why haven't you checked the children?" then hanging up. Scared, she calls the police, who at first tell her to calm down, then instruct her to try to keep the caller on the line if he calls again, so the call can be traced. When she obliges and they trace the call, the real terror starts. I remember when I first saw this film, and my reaction to this revelation was unparalleled by any film I had seen at that time.
I am trying not to give away too much - if you haven't seen this film, be careful of other online reviews; I came across several that were real spoilers, and without any forewarning.
The first part of "When A Stranger Calls" is very fast-paced, then the middle part takes the audience seven years ahead; Jill is now a married mother. The film slows and becomes more of a psychological study; the criminal from the beginning sequence has escaped from the asylum. Along his wanderings he comes across Tracy (Colleen Dewhurst), a tough barfly he fixates upon. John Clifford (Charles Durning), who was the police detective investigating the original case, re-enters the scenario to try to track down the escaped madman, Curt Duncan (Tony Beckley).
This part of the movie is slower but much more interesting, in my opinion, and shows how scary a film can be without any real gore factor. Tony Beckley (in his last role) is very convincing as a murderous madman; his careful and understated portrayal make the character Curt Duncan even more terrifying. Colleen Dewhurst's performance as Tracy helps this part of the film move very well (she was always an extremely good actress) and she makes Tracy's toughness, vulnerability, and smarts very believable. Charles Durning as Detective Clifford is a typical part for him, and he handles it well, with his usual street-savvy tough-guy exterior aplomb.
The direction by Fred Walton, and the subtle, creepy soundtrack help push this film beyond the realm of being just another standard 1970's scream-inducing shock flick.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
When A Stranger Calls is not only better than any of the "stalker" movies to come after it, but it is a very sophisticated film. I find the arguments about the middle being boring to be vacuous in the extreme. These critiques have missed the brilliant story writing that puts the former killer into a role so pathetic that the audience is made to feel sorry for him, and casts the former hero (Durning) in the role of the villian. By the end of the film, this plotline flips yet again when the killer resumes his former identity. This whole role-reversal theme is so refreshingly different from the "faceless killer with butcher knife" borefest we've been subjected to for the last twenty years! It's too bad this movie gets passed over in most histories of the modern horror film genre, because it's the best of them.
26 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I would have to agree that Carol Kane is the engine in this movie. Her acting is superb as the frightened babysitter and later victim of a madman.
The first 18 minutes are relentless and memorable (similar to the beginning of the first 'Scream' flick). The director draws the tension so tight you sit literally on the edge of your seat.
The last 18 minutes are equally as taut. However, the middle of the movie is slow and could have been written much better.
I still gave this movie 5 stars because it still holds the thrill... even if it's only in the beginning and the end.
The first 18 minutes are relentless and memorable (similar to the beginning of the first 'Scream' flick). The director draws the tension so tight you sit literally on the edge of your seat.
The last 18 minutes are equally as taut. However, the middle of the movie is slow and could have been written much better.
I still gave this movie 5 stars because it still holds the thrill... even if it's only in the beginning and the end.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
When a Stranger Calls
I choose this movie because it is an excellent thriller from 1979. The movie is rated (R) on the box.
Published 8 days ago by patdoltwo
5.0 out of 5 stars
good movie for 1979!
this was a good choice following Halloween, very suspenseful and all the actors as well as directing displayed great abilities through out this project. i suggest this highly.
Published 26 days ago by michael silver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfied
Movie played well, was in very good shape, picture quality excellent...Positive purchase...Will purchase from this company again in the future...
Published 1 month ago by ClassyD
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Classic!
I hadn't seen this show in years. I remembered I loved it, so took a chance it would still be good. Read more
Published 2 months ago by lstraw3
5.0 out of 5 stars
great movie
I used to watch this movie as a teenager. Its still just as good now as it was back then! I will be purchasing the sequel, When a Stranger Calls Back.
Published 2 months ago by unhappy in nevada
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my all time favorites
This movie has the mosh heart pound start (first 25 minutes) and heart pounding finish (Last 25 minutes). The middle is a little slow but it is worth watching.. Read more
Published 2 months ago by tbrinspect
3.0 out of 5 stars
great first act...
A great beginning - understated and believable, then scary; acts 2 and 3 are let downs. Recommend for first act and strong performances.
Published 3 months ago by customerS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Packaged well
This was very well packed for protection and I received it in a timely maner. It was in really good shape for age.
Published 3 months ago by PAUL
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic horror film
Love this horror film : "have you checked the children?" and "The call is coming from inside the house!" Great movie.
Published 3 months ago by CFL
5.0 out of 5 stars
When a Stranger Calls
A good movie. It really scared the socks off the grandkids. We checked with their parents before we let them see it. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rex Hunt
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