Carrie (film)

Carrie (film)
Name	Carrie
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Brian De Palma
Producer	Paul Monash
Screenplay	Lawrence D. Cohen
Based on	Carrie by Stephen King
Starring	Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, Nancy Allen, John Travolta
Music	Pino Donaggio
Cinematography	Mario Tosi
Edited by	Paul Hirsch
Production companies	Allied Artists Pictures Corporation, Red Bank Films
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	April 3, 1976
Runtime	98 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.8 million
Box office	$33.8 million

Carrie (film) is a 1976 American supernatural horror film directed by Brian De Palma from a screenplay by Lawrence D. Cohen, adapted from the 1974 novel by Stephen King. The film stars Sissy Spacek as a bullied high school student who develops telekinetic powers, with Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, Nancy Allen, and John Travolta in supporting roles. Produced by Paul Monash and released by United Artists, the film became a critical and commercial success and is considered a landmark in horror film history, spawning sequels, a remake, and a musical adaptation.

Plot

The narrative follows Carrie White, an introverted teenager living with her abusive, religiously fanatical mother, Margaret White (played by Piper Laurie). After experiencing menstruation for the first time in the girls' locker room, Carrie is humiliated by classmates including Chris Hargensen (played by Nancy Allen) and Sue Snell (played by Amy Irving). Encouraged by Sue, Tommy Ross (played by William Katt) asks Carrie to the prom, where prom queen candidate Christine "Chris" Hargensen arranges a cruel prank that drenches Carrie in pig's blood. Humiliated and enraged, Carrie unleashes telekinesis, causing mass destruction at Ewan High School, killing many attendees and destroying the town of Hampston in the climax. The plot culminates with a confrontation at Carrie's home between Carrie and her mother, leading to Carrie's death and a final scene implying lingering consequences.

Cast

The principal cast includes: Sissy Spacek as Carrie White; Piper Laurie as Margaret White; Amy Irving as Sue Snell; Nancy Allen as Chris Hargensen; William Katt as Tommy Ross; John Travolta as Billy Nolan; Betty Buckley in an early role as Ms. Collins; P.J. Soles as Norma Watson; Priscilla Pointer in a supporting role. The ensemble also features members of theatrical companies and character actors associated with Off-Broadway and regional theater, reflecting De Palma's casting of stage talent alongside rising Hollywood performers.

Production

Development began after Stephen King's novel reached the attention of producer Paul Monash, who hired Lawrence D. Cohen to adapt the book. United Artists financed the project with a modest budget; principal photography took place in and around Los Angeles and at studio facilities employed by Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Director Brian De Palma collaborated with cinematographer Mario Tosi and composer Pino Donaggio to craft the film's visual and sonic identity. Makeup effects were overseen by special effects teams experienced in practical gore, while set design recreated a 1970s Midwestern high school and the prom sequence. Casting decisions included screen tests involving Sissy Spacek singing, and the production navigated challenges from Motion Picture Association of America standards and child labor regulations for teenage cast members.

Release and reception

United Artists premiered the film in 1976; it grossed approximately $33.8 million against a $1.8 million budget, becoming one of the year's highest-grossing independent releases. Critics from publications such as The New York Times, Variety, Time, and Rolling Stone offered mixed-to-positive reviews, praising Spacek's performance and De Palma's direction while noting the film's violent climax. The film received nominations from the Academy Awards and won accolades at genre festivals including Saturn Awards and recognition from film societies. Carrie influenced subsequent works in horror cinema and is frequently cited in retrospectives by institutions like the American Film Institute and selections by Film Critics Circle organizations.

Themes and analysis

Scholars and critics analyze the film through lenses associated with adolescence, religious fanaticism, and social ostracism, often referencing Stephen King's original themes. The prom scene and telekinetic revenge sequence serve as focal points for discussions about humiliation and empowerment, with commentators from feminist film theory, psychoanalytic criticism, and cultural studies examining representations of female puberty and patriarchal control. Brian De Palma's use of split diopter, slow motion, and tracking shots is compared to techniques used by directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Dario Argento, while the film's sound design and score by Pino Donaggio draw analysis alongside work by composers such as Bernard Herrmann. Academic articles published in journals affiliated with Rutgers University, Columbia University, and University of California film programs have examined the film's enduring cultural impact.

Home media and adaptations

The film has seen multiple home media releases on VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, and Blu-ray, distributed by companies including MGM Home Entertainment and Warner Home Video. Carrie spawned a 1999 television film sequel and a 2002 made-for-television production, as well as the 2013 remake directed by Kimberly Peirce starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore. The property inspired a 1988 Broadway musical adaptation with book and lyrics by Lawrence D. Cohen and music by Michael Gore, and later stage revivals in regional theatre companies. The film remains a frequent subject of documentary features and is included in curated collections by archives such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Paley Center for Media.

Category:1976 films Category:Films directed by Brian De Palma Category:Films based on works by Stephen King Category:American supernatural horror films