Poltergeist (film)

Poltergeist (film)
Name	Poltergeist
Director	Tobe Hooper
Producer	Steven Spielberg
Writer	Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, Mark Victor
Starring	Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne, Oliver Robins, Heather O'Rourke, Zelda Rubinstein
Music	Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography	Matthew F. Leonetti
Editing	Michael Kahn
Studio	SLM Production Group, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Distributor	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Runtime	114 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$10.7 million
Gross	$121.7 million

Poltergeist (film) is a 1982 American supernatural horror film directed by Tobe Hooper and produced and co-written by Steven Spielberg. The story follows the Freeling family, whose suburban home in Cuesta Verde, California is invaded by malevolent ghosts that abduct their youngest daughter. Featuring groundbreaking special effects and a score by Jerry Goldsmith, the film became a major critical and commercial success, cementing its status as a landmark in the horror film genre.

Plot

The Freeling family—Steve, Diane, and their children Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne—live peacefully in the planned community of Cuesta Verde. Strange phenomena begin with Carol Anne communicating with the television static, culminating in her disappearance into a spectral portal within a bedroom closet. The parents enlist a team of parapsychologists from UCLA, led by Dr. Lesh, who determine the house is besieged by a powerful poltergeist. When their efforts fail, they bring in a diminutive but powerful spiritual medium named Tangina Barrons, who reveals the house was built atop a cemetery that was moved but not the bodies, and that a malevolent entity known as "The Beast" is holding Carol Anne. After a harrowing rescue, the family attempts to flee, only to discover the developer Mr. Teague lied about relocating the graves, leading to a catastrophic final confrontation with the enraged spirits.

Cast

Craig T. Nelson portrays real estate salesman and father Steve Freeling, with JoBeth Williams as his wife, Diane Freeling. The Freeling children are played by Dominique Dunne as eldest daughter Dana, Oliver Robins as son Robbie, and Heather O'Rourke as the pivotal Carol Anne Freeling. The paranormal investigators include Beatrice Straight as Dr. Lesh and Zelda Rubinstein in her iconic role as the medium Tangina Barrons. Supporting roles feature James Karen as the unscrupulous developer Mr. Teague and Martin Casella as the ill-fated parapsychologist Marty.

Production

Development began under Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, with MGM financing. Spielberg, who co-wrote the story with Michael Grais and Mark Victor, initially sought to direct but contractual obligations to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial led to Tobe Hooper, director of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, being hired. The production, however, was heavily influenced by Spielberg's sensibilities, leading to long-standing debates over primary creative authorship. Industrial Light & Magic created the film's extensive and innovative special effects, including the famous skeleton emerging from the muddy swimming pool. Filming took place on soundstages at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios.

Release

The film was released theatrically in the United States by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on June 4, 1982. Its marketing campaign famously used the tagline "It knows what scares you" and prominently featured the image of Heather O'Rourke facing the static-filled television. It was a major box office hit, opening at number one and holding the position for several weeks during the competitive summer season dominated by films like Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

Reception

Initial critical reception was largely positive, with praise for its suspense, emotional core, and spectacular effects. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times commended its ability to frighten within a suburban context. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Original Score, Best Sound Effects Editing, and Best Visual Effects. However, it also attracted controversy, receiving a PG rating despite intense horror sequences, which contributed to the creation of the PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Legacy

The film spawned two direct sequels, Poltergeist II: The Other Side and Poltergeist III, and a 2015 remake. It is frequently cited as one of the greatest horror films ever made, influencing countless subsequent genre works about haunted houses and suburban dread. The film is also associated with a popular but unfounded "curse" legend, due to the untimely deaths of several cast members, including Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke. Its imagery, particularly the static television and the line "They're here," remains deeply embedded in popular culture.

Category:1982 films Category:American horror films Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films