Apparently based on the true story of the Lutz family; this "spooky house" horror flick has James Brolin, wife Margot Kidder and their two kids moving into a house in Amity that just happened to be the scene of a mass murder the previous year. It’s not long before the evil spirits that dwell in the house start causing flies to cake the windows, toilets to spurt black goo and other odd goings-on.

So in trots a completely over-the-top Rod Steiger as the priest who will "exorcise" the house.

While there’s a few moments of moody suspense, for the most part this overlong and quite poor effort is dull and lacking in thrills; however we get to chuckle at Steiger’s hammy performance.

Not quite as bad as its reputation, this spawned a slew of imitators in its wake.

Followed by seven sequels. (Chris Hartley)

Directed By: Stuart Rosenberg.
Written By: Sandor Stern.

Starring: James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, Don Stroud.