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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Amityville Horror, The
Genre: Horror

Reviewed In Issue 95 (Apr 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, Murray Hamilton, Don Stroud & Michael Sacks

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 3.5
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 3
Internet Links
www.mgm.com/dvd

Special Features
Disc One of this two-disc horror fest includes audio commentary by Dr. Hans Holzer, PhD. Parapsychology; a 22-minute documentary presented by James Brolin and Margot Kidder entitled For God's Sake, Get Out!; radio spots, which you choose by clicking on one of seven different flies; the original theatrical trailer; and other MGM releases. Disc Two includes three featurettes; the six-minute behind-the-scenes sneak peek into the upcoming April 2005 version of The Amityville Horror; Amityville: Horror Or Hoax?, a 43-minute History Channel special on whether or not the Amityville story is fact or fiction; and the 42-minute Amityville: The Haunting, another History Channel feature on the mystery of Amityville. Both discs include up-front ads.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): MGM Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 1006790
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

(Retail Price): $14.95
(DVD Type): Two DVD-9 Discs
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 119
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1979
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 04/05/05
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Stuart Rosenberg
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  DVD Picture Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on the book by Jay Anson, The Amityville Horror stars James Brolin and Margot Kidder as Jim and Kathy Lutz, a couple who think they

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture exhibits a satisfying restoration. Certainly the picture has a dated appearance, but is quite clean and smooth throughout. The color scheme is generally well balanced, with slightly brownish overtones, at times affecting fleshtones and weak blacks. Sharpness is quite adequate, with satisfying details and textures. Some scenes exhibit a moody, soft focus. The long shadows that stretch across the rooms and halls of the house in the darker scenes are effective in heightening the suspense. There is no bothersome edge enhancement or obtrusive pixelization. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
With a very basic sound design, this Dolby