The Changeling (1980)
Composter John Russell (George C. Scott) loses his wife and daughter in a horrible accident that leaves him devastated. Several months later, his concerned friends urge him to get away so he rents an old mansion near Seattle, owned by a Mrs. Norman (Madeleine Sherwood). Her daughter Claire (Trish Van Devere) helped him to get the mansion, and she is very helpful in aiding him to settle into the huge mansion. The house seems like a great place for him to resume his composing. But he quickly discovers that he is not alone in the house. As he grows closer to Claire, together they seek to find the answers to the secrets of the house - and the powerful man who is guarding them.
I remember when this movie came out, but I never made an effort to watch it until yesterday, not sure why, but I should have. The film was directed by Peter Medak, who also directed movies such as The Ruling Class and Romeo is Bleeding, as well as episodes of Hannibal and House. The Changeling was beautifully directed and filmed. George C. Scott was already a well-known and very talented actor, but I hadn't seen one of his films in years, so it was almost like watching him for the first time. Trish Van Devere, who plays Claire, was Scott's fifth wife. They were married in 1972 and remained married until his death in 1999.
Among the rest of the cast, veteran actor Melvyn Douglas plays a senator whose family once owned the mansion, Jean Marsh plays the ill-fated wife, Barry Morse is a parapsychologist, and John Colicos a detective. If you're old enough you might remember Madeleine Sherwood from the TV series The Flying Nun - she played the head of the convent where Sally Field was a nun.
A haunting musical score lends atmosphere to this lovely film. The heartbreak of the present helps to solve the sins of the past. This is a great example of a haunted house film, one that I highly recommend. I'll give this film 4.5 Stars.
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