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The Watcher in the Woods
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The Watcher in the Woods (1980) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.1/10   1,699 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Hough
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Writers:
Brian Clemens (screenplay)
Florence Engel Randall (novel)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Watcher in the Woods on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 April 1982 (France) more
Tagline:
Scared of going into the woods? You should be ... more
Plot:
When a family moves to a country home, the young girls experience strange happenings that have a link to an occult event years past. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
3 nominations more
User Comments:
Very nearly more

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Bette Davis ... Mrs. Aylwood
Lynn-Holly Johnson ... Jan Curtis

Kyle Richards ... Ellie Curtis

Carroll Baker ... Helen Curtis
David McCallum ... Paul Curtis

Benedict Taylor ... Mike Fleming
Frances Cuka ... Mary Fleming
Richard Pasco ... Tom Colley
Ian Bannen ... John Keller
Katharine Levy ... Karen Aylwood (uncredited in the shortened 1981 release)
Eleanor Summerfield ... Mrs. Thayer
Georgina Hale ... Young Mrs. Aylwood
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Additional Details

Runtime:
84 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Filming Locations:
England, UK more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The original version ran 100 minutes. This was with the then-undisputed ending tacked on. After the original ending didn't work, the filmmakers re-cut it, adding new footage in place of the old footage, and filmed a special effects sequence in which the viewer sees the other world that the victim was trapped in. This ending still didn't fare well with the critics, so John Hough hired a new cinematographer and they deleted all the footage that had been in the climax, and shot completely new footage including a new ending/explanation. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When the mother gets scared about what is happening to her daughters and decides to flee, you can see a hose behind the car providing the rain just before they drive onto the bridge. more
Quotes:
Mrs. Aylwood: Did you hurt yourself?
Jan Curtis: Oh, it's just a little cut. I thought... I thought I saw something out there in the woods.
Mrs. Aylwood: What sort of person are you?
Jan Curtis: That's hard to say. Just average, I guess.
Mrs. Aylwood: Are you adventurous? And kind? Are you kind?
Jan Curtis: I... try to be.
Mrs. Aylwood: And sensitive...? Do you sense things?
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Movie Connections:
References The Haunting (1963/I) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful:-
Very nearly, 10 December 2008
9/10
Author: Edgewalker from Tuxford, England

Although The Watcher in the Woods isn't quite as dark as some people would have you believe, in Disney terms its pitch black. The great Bette Davis looks ghostly and frail, but try taking your eyes off her for a second and Lynn-Holly Johnson isn't your typical antiseptic princess, pretty and charming certainly, but earthy enough to feel real and not a product. David McCallum gives strong support and no matter how far down the cast list you go, you won't find a bad or bland performance. The huge budget, beautiful locations and legendary DP Alan Hume all come together to make the film so nice to look at that the story can sometimes flick by with you only taking a passing interest. While The Watcher in the Woods is the most extraordinary Disney movie you'll ever see, it works with or without the controversy, a very near masterpiece.

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Watcher in the Woods (1980)
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MPAA rating theturvenator
Scene @ Tom's with raven Luna713
alternate ending holyredcrayon
Where was that truck going? mcrawford-4
Scary! DankeSchoen
HELP! I want to see the alternative ending to The watcher in the woods. danilou
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