MovieChat Forums > The Watcher in the Woods (1981) Discussion > Childhood nostalgia

Childhood nostalgia

posted 16 years ago by Mr_Ectoplasma
7 replies | jump to latest

I remember being about six years old, growing up in a small town. We had one little video store that was extremely tiny, but they had an entire wall of old Disney clamshell VHS movies, and "The Watcher in the Woods" was one of them. My mother probably thought "oh, this should be fine, it's Disney" when she rented it for me (although I will admit, I was the one who picked it out, what with my love of Scooby Doo episodes and all) - boy, oh boy was she wrong.

I was so mortified by this movie that I had to sleep on my parents' bedroom floor for about two weeks, and I was scared to look at myself in mirrors. After a couple years, the trauma wore off, and I rented it again (mind I was still a kid) and watched it with a couple school friends. It still scared me a lot, but not to the degree it did initially. I've grown up now and absolutely love this movie. It's so atmospheric, so spooky, and so much fun. Maybe it's the memories it brings back, or maybe not - but this is one of those movies I think I'll remember forever.

I'm watching it right now, in fact! Anyone else wanna share their childhood story on this flick?

"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
- Andy Warhol

[–] vrobinson-2 16 years ago

Same here. I used to rent this all the time when I wuz little. Everytime Karen appeared in the mirrors I would have to bury my face in a pillow or something cuz she totally creeped me out. I finally got the DVD a few years ago and still love watching it even though it doesnt exactly have the same effect, however sometimes if its late at nite and the lights are out I still get a little creeped out by it.

[–] stitchfan82 16 years ago

i never even saw this but on an old VHS tap they has clips from other movies and t there was a clip ’ of the woman blindfolded and duplicated.. creeped me out

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 16 years ago

You should definitely try and get a hold of it, it's a great, mild horror-thriller. I've had a current spark of interest in it again, I've watched it a couple times this past week and I still love it. There's something about it, but I can watch it again and again.

"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
- Andy Warhol

[–] quietmushroom 16 years ago

I rememeber being frightened of this when I was little. It was on BBC 2 today, and no bloody wonder I was scared! I had to turn it off, because I freaked myself out.

[–] chrisperry1973 16 years ago

Totally with you on this one!

My grandma took me to see this this on its release in London in 1981 - again, thinking it was a Disney film for kids - and it scared the life out of me. I kid you not, "NERAK" has been knocking around in my head for the past 28 years. I don't think it was particularly well known as none of my pals recollect seeing it...but it is becoming something of a classic now, by all accounts...when I always said that this was the movie that scared me the most... for some strange reason - and believe me, I've seen my fair share if horror films - I got mugged off blantantly. Anyway, cut a long story...just finished watching it (mustered up the courage to buy it off Amazon...)...in the dark...with a large Jack Daniels and Coke. Not as scared as when I was 7, but it's already started playing tricks in my head again, all the same! Jese...can't go through another 20 old years being scared of going up the stairs to bed with the lights off! Now I'm an adult, I could definitely put Jan on my list of 'things to do' - proper fit! ;-)

[–] amyb1979 15 years ago

I remember watching this movie when I was really young, around 6 or 7 as well. I watched it at a friends house and my sister was there also. The movie scared me so badly that I had to sleep with my sister untill I was 9 or 10. I refused to go into any fun houses that had mirrors in them after watching it too. I also can remember the exact tune that the music box played that Karens' mom had even to this day. I'm almost 31 years old now and I think if I saw that movie again I'd still be scared to death.

[–] Mr_Ectoplasma 15 years ago

Glad I came back to revisit this thread; haha, the music box tune STILL makes me a little creeped out. I love this film, it brings back so many fond memories of my childhood. It's comforting and a fun film to watch - not to mention still spooky to this day.

¡Buena suerte!