MovieChat Forums > Quella villa accanto al cimitero (1984) Discussion > The scariest movie I've ever seen SPOILE...

The scariest movie I've ever seen SPOILERS

posted 16 years ago by BrianCTyler
14 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if it's just me, but this movie still scares me to this day more than any other film I've ever seen, and I saw it years ago!

Back when I watched it, I wasn't into Italian horror like I am now. I'm now obsessed; I love Dario Argento, Michele Soavi, Lamberto Bava, I'd say Mario Bava but I've only seen one of his films, and Lucio Fulci.

I've been wanting to go back to House by the Cemetery now that I'm a fan of Fulci and I like Katherine MacColl but I get too freaked out just thinking about this movie.

The idea of moving into an isolated house near a cemetery with an unstoppable, soulless zombie in the basement chills me to the bone. The funny thing is if it was about a group of teenagers partying in the house it would be a fun slasher flick that doesn't really stand out. The fact that it's a couple with a failing marriage and their young son makes it disturbing. I don't know why.

The haunted house aspects were also pretty successful in freaking me out. I remember getting so unnerved at the beginning when Bob saw the little girl in the window in that picture. And then the sound of the child crying and stuff, especially when you see Freudstein walking, makes me want to crap my pants.

And then of course the whole finale. The idea of a child being trapped in the basement with that Freudstein guy is so frightening and then there's the scene where he's holding his head against the door while the dad is chopping it down with an axe. So intense.

The fact that both of Bob's parents are brutally murdered at the end is so sad. It always makes me sad when a character's parents die in a horror movie, especially when it's a young kid. Poor ugly child with an old woman voice lol.

And the music (even though I think it's amazing) is scary as hell, even if it's a little cheesy.

I want to watch this again so bad but I don't at the same time lol.

[–] lynx2051 16 years ago

I agree, I first saw this when I was 8 and it remains one of my favorite horror films of all time, it is very scary!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BrianCTyler 16 years ago

I'm so glad that my fear is your excitement ...

lol Just kidding, it's definitely worth watching. When I was a kid I used to think Freudstein was under the water when I was swimming in my pool lol. If it didn't traumatize me so much I might be able to watch it again.

God I'm such a bitch.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] BrianCTyler 16 years ago

Just so you know, there's no pool scene so I don't know where that even came from lol.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] StaunchWoman 12 years ago

What a child's mind can come up with! As a kid, when I'd go swimming at the local wave pool, I didn't want to swim over the red lines in the deep end (some were different colors) because I thought Freddy Krueger would slip out of one and take me down with him. Sounds silly, and there's really no reason for this specific fear I had, but again, can't account for a child's fears, no matter how nonsensical.

We've met before, haven't we?

[–] castlerock20002000 16 years ago

"The funny thing is if it was about a group of teenagers partying in the house it would be a fun slasher flick that doesn't really stand out. The fact that it's a couple with a failing marriage and their young son makes it disturbing. I don't know why."

I understand what you are saying, I do worry when teens are getting slaughtered, except when they are *beep* but when the main characters are a family its a lot scarier. I think that its because we have a false sense of security when we are at home or with loved ones, that nothing bad is going to happen to us...wrong!!! Thats why its scarier...well at least to me. I have small kids and the idea of bad things happening to children is horrible just to think about it. If only I was rich enough to sponsor a million children and send assassins to murder some people in Darfur and other places.

[–] BrianCTyler 16 years ago

Yeah exactly and I've recently watched the movie again and I've noticed other points that make it scary and depressing.

I like the fact that they didn't do the typical 'dumb family in a haunted house' move and do nothing to leave. Lucy and Norman did try to get out, but their only chance (Laura) was murdered. Although it didn't make any sense that Norman and Lucy would go out when they knew Laura was stopping by, and then never mention it again.

The finale is also scary because when Bob is trapped in the basement you'd think his parents will come save him. When Bob was trapped in the basement alone with Freudstein it was very suspenseful. When his parents finally break in, you think maybe they'll rescue Bob and all survive. But then Norman has his throat ripped out.

Lucy and Bob then run up that metal staircase with Freudstein slowly chasing them, and since it's dragged out so long it makes you think they'll get out. Unfortunately, Lucy is killed (rather brutally) right in front of her already traumatized son and any sense of security is now gone. Bob is alone, defenseless against an undead killer. His struggle to escape is dragged on, a lot like Lucy's death, and that entire time you're just at the edge of your seat (at least I was).

[–] castlerock20002000 16 years ago

Yes! no matter how annoying his dubbed voice was I still cared for the little boy, and anyway, small kids (grown ups too) are sometimes annoying but that doesnt stop me from caring. I am glad he was spared from suffering at the end.

I notice that when the movie its about a haunted house the viewer expects the main characters to just leave....but I think sometimes that is not possible, for economic reasons, maybe they dont have family that would gladly let them stay until they get another place, etc

[–] loraho 15 years ago

To the OP:

Have you watched this movie again recently? I've found that movies that scared me senseless as a child don't seem nearly as scary after watching them as an adult. I just watched this movie for the first time, and while it is gory, I think there are many other movies that are scarier.

[–] BrianCTyler 15 years ago

Hey, this is several months late, but yeah it still freaks me out. Not nearly as much, but I just find the concept extremely creepy and the final twenty or so minutes are extremely well done.

I'm still hesitant about going into basements, and whenever I hear loud footsteps (I live in an apartment building so this happens a lot) I get a little creeped out.

"Cinema is everything to me. I live and breathe films -- I even eat them!"
- Lucio Fulci

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] PhilKill 10 years ago

Thought this film was hilarious watching recently. The terrible acting and editing. That ridiculous bat scene!!! Hah.
I found much of it really boring though and not scary. Was pretty disappointed cos I enjoy Zombie Flesh Eaters a lot
recently.