Description
Possession Of Joel Delaney 1972
1h 45min | Drama, Horror, Thriller | 24 May 1972 (USA)
Storyline:
Norah Benson, an affluent socialite living in the upper east side of New York, seems to be living the perfect life as a divorced mother of two. After her mothers suicide, she becomes a mother figure in the close relationship she has with her younger brother Joel Delany. However, Joel begins to a act very unusually: he tries to attack a man, has to be restrained to a mental asylum, and begins to loose his usual free-spirited kindness in exchange for a turbulent personality. After witnessing the acts of her brother and finally breaking down the shield of her affluence and naivety, Norah seeks the help of a spiritismo who will attempt to exorcise the spirit of a murderer they believe to be possessing Joel. But before they can attempt to help her, Norah’s brother quickly turns on her, threatening her own life and the lives of her children.
User review:
I first saw this film back in 1972 and it scared the living daylights out of me. Every time I went in the bathroom after that, I half expected to see a head hanging from the showhead… If you like to be scared in an intelligent way, this is a must see!
All of the characters are believeable and the direction is about as good as it gets. Art direction, costumes, and setwork were all very good, especially considering the budget they had to work with. The level of suspense is incredible. And the conclusion will leave you wondering.
Find this movie on Video, get yourself something to hide behind (you might need it), and enjoy!
Director: Waris Hussein
Writers: Matt Robinson (screenplay), Irene Kamp (screenplay) (as Grimes Grice)
Stars: Shirley MacLaine, Perry King, David Elliott
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: 24 May 1972 (USA)
Filming Locations: 154 East 74th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Timothy Bowman (verified owner) –
henry f. (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
The Possession Of Joel Delaney preceded The Exorcist. It doesn’t have the notoriety and over-the-top special effects as The Exorcist. Yet many people find this movie better and more believable. Joel Delaney is not possessed by a demon but rather a serial killer who beheads women. The movie is slow but effective as the suspense builds. Joel is staying with his sister, Norah and her two young children. When she discovers her brother Joel is possessed, Norah turns to a Santeria cult for help. Scenes of hanging decapitated heads are shocking. But the most shocking scene is yet to come. She is advised to leave the city and flee to a beach house before her brother becomes a danger to her children. However, they are pursued by Joel who subjects them to horror and humiliation. Norah is forced to eat dog food with a knife to her neck. Her young son is dragged on the floor by the shirt collar and forced to strip naked and dance. His bare butt and genitals are shown. This is not the sort of movie that could be made in the U.S. today. I give this movie 4 stars, only because it is a little too slow in the beginning.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Theodor Stadler (verified owner) –
Bob (verified owner) –
Verified Buyer (verified owner) –
glad the uncut version is available
William (verified owner) –
Steven Parkhurst (verified owner) –
A scary, disturbing movie with a brave performance by David Elliott.