THE HEARSE
US, 1980, 95 minutes, Colour.
Trish Van Devere, Joseph Cotton, Perry Lang, Christopher McDonald?.
Directed by George Bowers.
The Hearse is a rather low-key occult thriller. It is almost the occult designed for a middle-aged ladies' audience. It is in the atmosphere of The Exorcist, The Amityville Horror - and features Trish Van Devere and a haunted house. There is his usual support from Joseph Cotten. The film relies on atmosphere and the acting rather than shocks.
1. An entertaining example of the occult horror thriller?
2. The conventions of the genre? The distraught heroine? The mysterious house? Suggestions of the past? Strange happenings? suspicious neighbours? The real estate agent and his warnings? The handsome stranger? Devilish happenings and the mysterious hearse? The build-up to atmosphere of horror and suspenseful climax? How well done? For what audience?
3. Colour photography, Californian locations? The focus on the house and its neighbourhood, the details of the sets and decor of the house? Editing and special effects for suspense and horror? The quiet musical score and the romantic musical theme?
4. The plausibility of this kind of horror? Sufficient for the purposes of the film? Jane's background? Her breakdown and recuperation? The locals? The real estate agent and his warnings? The mysterious stranger and the merging of past and present? The menacing hearse?
5. Trish van Devere and her characterisation of Jane? The filling in of the San Francisco background? The taking over the house? Encounter with the locals e.g. the young men at the garage? The real estate agent? The Reverend Winston and his infatuation with her? The mysterious Tom Sullivan? The house changing her, her puzzle about the past? The hearse menacing her and frightening her? Falling in love with Sullivan? Her being caught up in the mystery? Devil-possession?
6. Joseph Cotten's presence as the real estate agent - his explanations and warnings? His criticisms? Crumbling? Trying to warn her away?
7. Sullivan and his mysterious appearance, her falling in love with him, his suave charm - and the background of sinister menace? The revelation of the truth?
8. The Reverend Winston and his warnings? Infatuation?
9. The young men in the town, their attitude towards Jane, getting into the house, frightening her etc.?
10. Audiences identifying with Jane and her experience? Getting caught up in the atmosphere of the haunted house and the evil past?
