X
- 1976
- PG
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
- 1976
- PG
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
Summary A family moves into an old, haunted house that regenerates itself by feeding off of the life forces of its injured occupants.
Directed By: Dan Curtis
Written By: Robert Marasco, William F. Nolan, Dan Curtis
- 1976
- PG
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
- 1976
- PG
- United Artists
- 1 h 56 m
Burnt Offerings
48
6.4
Where to Watch
Summary A family moves into an old, haunted house that regenerates itself by feeding off of the life forces of its injured occupants.
Directed By: Dan Curtis
Written By: Robert Marasco, William F. Nolan, Dan Curtis
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
48
17% Positive
1 Review
1 Review
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
50% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 6 Critic Reviews
48
17% Positive
1 Review
1 Review
33% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
50% Negative
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
Director Curtis times his audience immersions into the ice bath of terror with such skill that moviegoers will scarcely have the leisure to ask why some of the renters aren't a bit more observant and curious about their dwelling.
The current minor boom in American horror films has two notable features: the single-minded concentration on the nuclear family as a point of attack, and the consistent rejection of happy endings. This tale of a family taking a spooky old mansion for the summer would be strictly formula stuff were it not for these elements; but veteran Eugène Lourié's art direction helps.
The horror is expressed through sudden murderous impulses felt by Black and Reed, a premise which might have been interesting if director Dan Curtis hadn't relied strictly on formula treatment.
Burnt Offerings is a mystery, all right. What's mysterious is that the filmmakers were able to sell such a weary collection of ancient cliches for cold hard cash.
The movie merely piles on one special effect after another - none of them too special - and stalls for time. Even the title is a sham: nobody ever so much as lights a match. And nobody - not even the most gullible moviegoer - can expect to receive any present. [08 Nov 1976, p.108]
Overlong, talky, predictable, and dull, dull, dull.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 User Ratings
6.4
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
25% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
25% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 8 User Ratings
6.4
50% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
25% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
25% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
Awards
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
• 3 Wins & 4 Nominations
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
