Stephen King and Brian de Palma - a match made in heaven for fans of schlock. The advantage of cinematic versions of penny dreadfuls like King's original novel is that the viewer is spared the worst excesses of the author's crude, amateurish prose. Still, this is no masterpiece. The story has been summarised by previous reviewers, so there's no need for me to do it here. Spacek gives a fine, touching performance, and Nancy Allen and William Katt are also effective. On the other hand, Piper Laurie, as Carrie's mother, goes way over the top, and her performance prefigures Jack Nicholson's in that other King adaptation, The Shining. The film is technically accomplished. Its climax, set in the school gym, is impressively realised by de Palma. (The use of the split-screen technique is particularly memorable.) The image of Carrie, covered in pig's blood, looking around bewilderedly as flames rage behind her, is unforgettable. Thankfully, the Hitchcock 'homages' are kept to a minimum, although the score rips off Psycho's in places. Unfortunately, de Palma's infamous voyeurism is evident in the opening scene in the girls' changing room. The famous surprise ending, although undeniably startling, is no more than a shock tactic and adds nothing to the film. There are worse ways to spend an hour and a half, but this is not a film that demands repeated viewings.Read full review
Classic horror film.Well acted,great story,realistic effects.Unfortunately starting to show its age.Will probably be remade badly.
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