The Dunwich Horror (1970)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Daniel Haller

Writers:

H.P. Lovecraft (short story)
Curtis Hanson (writer) ...

Release Date:

14 January 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

A few years ago in Dunwich a half-witted girl bore illegitimate twins. One of them was almost human!

Plot:

Wilbur Whateley pops over to the Arkham Miskatonic University to borrow the legendary Necronomicon and Sandra Dee. But little does anyone know, Whateley isn't quite human...

Plot Keywords:

Necronomicon | Book | Warlock | Drugs | H.P. Lovecraft

Cast

Sandra Dee	...	Nancy Wagner
Dean Stockwell	...	Wilbur Whateley
Ed Begley	...	Dr. Henry Armitage
Lloyd Bochner	...	Dr. Cory
Sam Jaffe	...	Old Whateley
Joanne Moore Jordan	...	Lavinia Whateley (as Joanna Moore Jordan)
Donna Baccala	...	Elizabeth Hamilton
Talia Shire	...	Nurse Cora (as Talia Coppola)
Michael Fox	...	Dr. Raskin (as Mike Fox)
Jason Wingreen	...	Sheriff Harrison
Barboura Morris	...	Mrs. Cole
Beach Dickerson	...	Mr. Cole
Michael Haynes	...	Guard
Toby Russ	...	Librarian
Jack Pierce	...	Reeger

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:R | UK:18 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:M (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Mendocino, California, USA

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

The odd symbol that appears again and again -- on Wilbur's ring, on his grandfather's staff, in the design on the main floor, etc. -- is actually an ancient Native American symbol commonly termed "Thunderbird in sun".

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Every person in the movie pronounces the town's name as "Dun-witch"; in fact, it is pronounced "Dun-itch", with a silent 'W' as in "Greenwich village".

Movie Connections:

Featured in Fantastic Fantasy Fright-o-Rama Show Vol. 1 (1996) (V)

Amongst the Top Ten Worst Movies Ever

I, a Lovecraftian fanatic, want my money back for ever purchasing the DVD--just watching the trailer made me want to throw it out the window! I suppose for its time it entertained people half-way, but today? I am insulted. Upon watching this, I cared more for the dignified soul of H.P. Lovecraft, that is if he ever had the chance of viewing this in the possible afterlife, since he himself was fascinated with film in the 1920s, and would have been honored to have this "classic horror tale" be displayed unto the screen--BUT NOT LIKE THIS!!!

One good quality: the psychedelic sequences were interesting, and Elizabeth's death looked decent--that's all! I recommend to all who's fascinated to first read the short story "The Dunwich Horror" by Lovecraft, and then view it. You will be shocked--because this "loose adaptation" is missing the true qualities that make the story come to life. Wilbur Whateley was only 15 in the story, yet 9 feet tall, had the most revolting death sequence in mid-plot that's worth seeing cinematic ally, and "Nancy Wagner" along with her girlfriend were not characters within its 10 chapters. Once you understand that "The Dunwich Horror" is a prize-winning story, then you shall see how big of a let-down this movie is. I can say that Daniel Haller at least tried his best, but it's just damn surprising to think that this came out the same decade "The Exorcist" did, so what went wrong with this!?

The screenwriter butchered the masterpiece that Lovecraft created. Daniel Haller made it a laughing stock. Dean Stockwell took some punches (literally, with a security guard), but did very little if no research in how to behave as a demonic hybrid, except growing a mustache and sideburns. Ed Begley did what he could. Sandra Dee didn't belong, but if she was aiming to pass off as a vulnerable, brainless blonde, then yeah she succeeded in putting the "whore" in "horror," not that I'm saying she's a bad actress, just had a bad character. The only real feeling I get after getting done viewing it is that bitter taste in your mouth that vodka leaves in the back of your throat. At least in 1970 all the high school boys had a reason to take their girlfriends to the drive-thru, and were better off not watching it and making out in their back seats.