Carrie, the phenomenal feature by Brian De Palma sure inspired many interesting flicks: Patrick, Jenifer, Evilspeak, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood and the cool The Initiation of Sarah, a TV-movie starring Kay Lenz, Morgan Fairchild, Morgan Brittany, Tisa Farrow and Shelley Winters. Take the basic premise of Carrie and put it on a college, but with sisterhood Lenz and Brittany as the family trying to keep together in a harsh, unprotecting world. I've always admired the TV-movies from the 70's, who with lack of budget had to rely on good ideas. Or sometimes, like this time, steal the idea from the blockbusters and do it the TV-way.
Working horse Robert Day delivers a slick soap-like horror-tale which begins like any other Carrie-rip, but strays into the world of occultism and school drama. Lenz has the powers and Brittany is her mentally stronger sister. In college they're separated to different dorms and that makes the tension between them become stronger. The bullying from Brittany's "sisters" towards Lenz and other weaker characters in the school starts Lenz to really loose control. But someone sense her supernatural talents and wants to use her for something even more sinister...
The Initation of Sarah is a surprisingly complex horror story, on the surface just the same old TV-movie, but underneath a very touching drama between two sisters. Lenz is actually brilliant in her part - which I in all honesty didn't think she could to. Morgan Fairchild as her nemesis is an example of perfect casting. Fairchild embodies all the bitches we've ever met and becomes an enemy to behold. Another favorite, Shelley Winters, plays the house mother. She has an interesting style, the late Mrs. Winters. She almost becomes drunk of acting, inhales in odd places, gets lazy eyelids. Like she goes into a trance. This is in all parts I've seen her, at least where she plays a more complex character. That makes her a bit odd, but also very convincing - even if she's sometime chews the scenery a bit too much!
Sarah effectivly reenacts several key moments from Carrie, but uses them in a bit more creative way. The blood shower is now a scene where Lenzi gets mud and dirty thrown at her in huge amounts and the blazing last party of Carrie is now a maze on fire with the sisterhood of witches dying around her. For a TV-movie it looks gorgeous, but of course is way more kid-friendly than the cinematic opponent.
This was also remade much later as a new TV-movie, but I haven't see it yet. But something tells me this is one of those movies that actually needs a remake from time to time, because the schools and educational system changes from time to time, so is the fashion and language. It's just not a story that needs to be seen in a different age period. It could be now and still be a lot of fun.
Shout! have released a set with two movies, called TV TERRORS. They promised if people buy enough they will produce a second set. The thing is that TV-movies still doesn't sell that good to ordinary genre fans, which is a damn shame. There's so much good stuff in this genre!
"Carrie, the phenomenal feature by Brian De Palma sure inspired many interesting flicks"
Just like The Exorcist (1973)it became a good inspiration for different filmmakers.
"I've always admired the TV-movies from the 70's, who with lack of budget had to rely on good ideas. Or sometimes, like this time, steal the idea from the blockbusters and do it the TV-way."
Yeah, some of these TV-movies are great like The Woman in Black(1989)or a film you wrote about earlier, The Stone Tape(1972)etc.
"This is in all parts I've seen her, at least where she plays a more complex character. That makes her a bit odd, but also very convincing - even if she's sometime chews the scenery a bit too much!"
Yeah, you got to dig Shelley Winters acting style.
"But something tells me this is one of those movies that actually needs a remake from time to time, because the schools and educational system changes from time to time, so is the fashion and language. It's just not a story that needs to be seen in a different age period. It could be now and still be a lot of fun."
Occasionally these idea, themes pop up in the mainstream film.......just look at Chronicle(2012).
"Shout! have released a set with two movies, called TV TERRORS. They promised if people buy enough they will produce a second set. The thing is that TV-movies still doesn't sell that good to ordinary genre fans, which is a damn shame. There's so much good stuff in this genre!"
I like their effort, it´s a shame that they don´t sell more, and you are right.....so much good stuff here.
Good review and thanks, I haven´t seen this one.
Posted by: Megatron | January 26, 2014 at 18:21