"The Amityville Horror" (initially released in July 1979) draws inspiration from the chilling true story of the Lutz family, comprising George Lee Lutz, played by James Brolin, and his wife Kathy Lutz, portrayed by Margot Kidder. In 1975, the couple purchased a quaint Dutch Colonial home in the town of Amityville, located on the picturesque coast of Long Island, New York. The residence, known as "High Hopes," is emblematic of charm, adorned with its distinctive features, including a Dutch gambrel roof and quarter-circle windows that seem to give the house a pair of haunting eyes.
The film is adapted from the eponymous book penned by Jay Anson in 1977, which, while not directly collaborating with the Lutzes, was based on extensive audio tape recordings of their experiences. This dynamic backdrop becomes increasingly crucial as the narrative unfolds, setting the stage for a series of unsettling events that plague the Lutz family after they move into their new home.
In a grim turn of events, it is revealed that the very abode they chose to make their home was the site of a horrific family murder, where a troubled young man took the lives of his entire family on November 13, 1974. This dark history enables the Lutzes to secure the property for a mere $80,000, significantly lower than its market value of $120,000. Despite being made aware of the house's ominous past by their realtor, they proceed with the purchase, driven by a mix of excitement and oblivion.
George, who grapples with his faith, finds solace in the presence of Kathy, a nominal Catholic. Their desperation to cleanse their new home prompts them to seek the help of Father Delaney, played by Rod Steiger. However, the priest encounters disturbing phenomena while attempting to bless the home, including a room filled with flies, an acute illness, and painful blisters that appear on his palms. His ordeal only intensifies as he becomes embroiled in a series of harrowing events, culminating in a terrifying car accident that compromises his sanity and physical well-being.
Amidst the chaos, Father Delaney engages in a desperate prayer: > “Give them strength of mind and body, that they may do Your will.” The environment around him becomes increasingly eerie, symbolizing the struggle between ultimate good and malevolent forces. The intensity of these occurrences culminates as he witnesses a statue in the church slowly eroding, a sign of the spiritual warfare at play within the Lutz household. Ultimately, the priest's mental state deteriorates, and he becomes unresponsive, a victim of the darkness that looms over the family.
As George battles his own demons, he begins to exhibit troubling behavior, marked by an obsession with maintaining the fireplace and splitting logs. The situation escalates when one of their sons suffers an injury from a window, and their daughter forms an unnerving friendship with an imaginary companion named Jody, who manifests a threatening presence. The dark nature of the house becomes evident when Kathy encounters sinister, swine-like eyes lurking outside her daughter's window, while their dog, Harry, grows fixated on a mysterious basement room.
George's land surveying business suffers due to his erratic behavior, leading to concern from his partner. Meanwhile, the partner’s wife shows awareness of the house's unsettling vibe, remarking, “Boy, are these vibes ever strong!” The family experiences an array of paranormal disturbances, from a black, viscous substance seeping through the toilets to mysterious disappearances of their belongings, including a significant amount of cash. Kathy's Aunt, a nun, even flees the premises, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere.
Haunted by restless nights, George becomes increasingly compelled to check the boathouse at 3:15 a.m., a time riddled with significance tied to the house's tragic history. Kathy is plagued by dreams revealing gruesome details of the previous family's demise. Their research leads them to a harrowing discovery: the property is built atop a tribal burial ground, once home to a devil worshiper named Ketcham, adding another layer to the malevolence they unknowingly harbored.
Overwhelmed by the relentless terror, the Lutz family makes a desperate decision to abandon the house one stormy night, leaving behind their possessions in a frantic bid for safety. The final frames inform viewers that, "Today the Lutz's live in another state," a testament to the psychological and emotional scars left by their harrowing ordeal. Their chilling story continues to resonate, immortalizing their experience in the annals of horror cinema.
