Creepy Carrie Lives

My favorite horror movie of all time is “Carrie”. This was the original 1976 version, based on the book by Stephen King, directed by Brian De Palmer and played in the film by Sissy Spacek.

The basic plot is about lonely Carrie who has always felt different and left out. Carrie’s over-to-top religious mother (played by Piper Laurie) has brought Carrie up to fear everything and trust no one but only her mother (and God). During the beginning of Carrie’s first menses, telekinetic abilities seemed to have also blossomed. Because Sue Snell (played by Amy Irving) and her friends have been mean to Carrie, Sue tries to make it up to Carrie. Sue sends her boyfriend to the prom with Carrie and she feels like she is now part of the in-crowd. This ends in disaster because another girl hates Carrie and follows through with her own plan.

There are some marked differences from the book but De Palmer captured the flavor of the total confusion one feels during adolescence. Add the tastefully done nude scenes, Carrie’s growing telekinetic powers and of course, the horror sequences and you have a well conceived plan to lure you in and then scare your pants off.

It was noticeable that some of the “teenagers” were a bit on the older side but to me, this is the only down side of the movie. The characters that John Travolta, William Katt and Nancy Allen play are worth mentioning but because of Sissy Spacek’s excellent rendition of the Carrie character (she is such a good actress) and the serene and haunting soundtrack, you find yourself pulled into this film’s innocence and then tragedy.

Spoiler Alert. Don’t read below if don’t want to know the ending of the movie.

As ridiculous as it might seem to run a spoiler alert on a movie that’s been out since 1976, there are those who have not seen the movie. I don’t want to spoil it for them.
Personal Note- This writer is has always been an avid horror and science fiction watcher. I enjoy the rush of a good scare. I like to laugh and joke with my friends but I handle myself conservatively while in public. I was not prepared for what I was about to witness.

At the end of the movie there is a dream sequence which is calming for the character (Sue Snell) and the audience. The set up is, Carrie has killed her mother and herself and you figure this puts closure on the movie because the main character has died. Sue Snell, being the only survivor of the high school fire is, of course, traumatized. She has dreams of placing flowers at the empty lot where her “friend” Carrie has died. The photography is hazy and the music is serene and calming. To me, the movie was obviously winding down, as Sue gives this tribute to Carrie. As Sue is walking, I am putting my arm in my jacket, with my eyes still on the screen and I waited for the credits to scroll down. As Sue is about to place the bouquet on the ground, Carrie’s bloody hand reaches out of the ground and grabs Sue’s wrist. I half stood up and screamed “Nooooo.” Sue woke and the dream (and the movie) ended.

Now I know that others in the audience screamed in horror but no one screamed as loudly as I did. If someone had told me that I was going to react that way in a crowded movie theater, I would have said they were crazy. I was genuinely scared! Eerie movie fact – Sissy Spacek was actually buried under the ground in order to do this scene.

End of Spoiler Alert

Horror movies after Carrie have used the “unexpected added ending” while others rely heavily on gore and special effects. Regardless of when this movie was made or how often you see it, Carrie can still bring you to the edge of your seat and then knock you off it. Carrie will always be a masterpiece of horror film making at it’s best.

This movie deserves my highest rating. It delivers what is promised and does not look back.