The Watcher In The Woods

It's not a great movie, and the acting isn't very good either (not even Bette Davis). But I feel the fact that in the early 1980's Disney was taking chances was a good thing. Whether the movie is amazing or not, whether it's actually scary or not, I like that Disney's "Dark Period" during the 1980's made so many little kids unhappy. It's kind of brave.

Random movie thoughts:

I know this is a horror film, but Mike is especially useless. You'd think he was a cop the kids were reporting Freddy Krueger to, as supportive as he was to Jan going nuts over this.

There is something haunting about the vision of the girl in the mirror in a blindfold, reaching out and saying "Help me!" before the glass shatters. It's not a jump scare, and because it's Disney it isn't really nightmare fuel either, but the film was onto something there.

Back then, it's amazing to see the amount of practical effects and explosions movies used. Stars always seemed a half inch away from getting killed at all times.

The Disney Movie Club went out of business last year, and just based on Ted and John's reaction, I HAD to see this thing for myself. First time watching it was on this Blu-Ray (It's not currently on Disney+). It's actually not bad (although it isn't actually scary either). 3 1/2 stars.

Alternate Opening

There are only three special features on the Blu-Ray. This alternate opening and TWO alternate endings. Let me just say, all three things are some of the BEST special features I have EVER seen included on ANY DVD or Blu-Ray. It's amazing.

I agree with changing the opening. This is maybe too scary and disturbing for kids, yes. But that's not my problem with it. The problem is the horror scenario doesn't actually fit in or is to do with the horror scenario in the rest of the film. It heebies the proper jeebies. But it's not an honest or accurate heebie. 5 stars.

Alternate Ending 1

First time seeing the film and I had heard one of the complaints was that the ending was too ambiguous. First of all, that's horseshit. The happy satisfying ending shocked me.

But originally they were going have Karen and Bette Davis reunited at her house instead of the chapel. It felt more like a proper movie ending. Even more intriguingly we were gonna see the alien form of the Watcher. I have no clue why it was changed but I see two possible reasons. Either the Watcher's alien form is too scary, or just the opposite, the producers weren't happy how it came across on camera. After seeing this at first I was pretty sure it was the first thing, but upon seeing the second alternate ending I'm sure the producers weren't happy with it.

Regardless of if they were or weren't, I see no difference in quality between this and other movie monsters or the era, so if they were embarrassed by it, they probably shouldn't have been. 5 stars.

Alternate Ending 2

The fact that the Watcher is in THIS sequence too (along with a totally bananas sequence of Jan entering the alternate dimension and us seeing her rescue Karen) tells me this was cut because the producers weren't happy with either sequence and didn't find either thing scary or believable. As far as the other dimension goes, I think it looks great and utterly bonkers. I might complain that I wish it was in the film, but both alternate endings aren't just a two minute deleted scene, but literally the entire ending done differently. This version probably lasts fifteen or twenty minutes. I don't need to complain I wish this sequence were in the film because on some level, for all intents and purposes, it actually was! 5 stars.

Blu-Ray Menu

The image is still but there IS music. I'm betting that's the best you can hope for from the Disney Movie Club. 2 1/2 stars.