Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18850 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-03
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Dolby, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Running time: 125 minutes

Review
This big budget entry from the early '80s horror boom is one of the most underrated of that genre. The Entity succeeds despite potentially exploitative subject matter because it tells its story in a serious, respectful style. Frank de Felitta's script devotes as much time to building three-dimensional characters and detailing the inner workings of psychology and parapsychology as it does creating shocks. As a result, the horrific parts of the tale are more effective because they are couched in a compelling reality. That said, The Entity never feels like anything less than a horror movie, thanks to forceful direction by Sidney J. Furie, who uses moody cinematography from Stephen Burum and an obsessive, minimalist score by Charles Bernstein to create an edgy, off-kilter atmosphere guaranteed to keep the audience tense between the set pieces. Finally, and most importantly, The Entity hooks the viewer thanks to phenomenal performances. Barbara Hershey gives a warm, totally credible performance as a decent, strong woman thrust into a bizarre situation, and Ron Silver adds excellent support as a well-meaning psychologist whose desire to find a rational explanation harms the situation as often as it helps. On the downside, a few of the makeup effects aren't very convincing (especially when compared with strong physical and visual effects) and the open-ended coda might turn off some viewers, but the overall craftsmanship of the film is too strong to be denied. In short, The Entity is worthy of rediscovery by horror fans who want a little substance with their shocks. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

On the DVD
Widescreen presentation (2.35:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs
The Entity Files - an all-new documentary, directed by Perry Martin, about the true-life Entity case, featuring parapsychologist Dr. Barry Taff
Theatrical trailer
Poster and still gallery
DVD-ROM: original screenplay

Synopsis
Another "true story" of dubious authenticity, The Entity concerns a libidinous invisible presence. This unseen force repeatedly rapes poor Barbara Hershey, who can't get anyone to believe her stories of sexual assault. Frankly, she doesn't believe them herself until she undergoes therapy conducted by experts in both psychology and the supernatural. The entity, a great, hairy blob, is ultimately tricked into materializing, an act of revelation that proves to be its downfall. The Entity was adapted by Frank de Felitta from his own novel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

Based on a true story?
Having never heard of this title I picked it up on a casual recommendation from a co-worker. I was NOT disappointed, I am a horror movie junkie and was really impressed with the amount of fright that took place. The attack scenes were done amazingly, excellant visual effects not only for back then but for today. The haunting score throws you into terror while the story picks up surprisingly quickly. The only fast-forward scene lies in the "mock house" sequence. Based on a true story. Definately a recommend.

Underrated Gem!!!!
THE ENTITY is easily one of the most unfairly maligned films ever made. Most critics take exception to the frankness in which the "rape" scenes are depicted, deeming them sensationalistic and trashy. Well sorry folks. To drive home the terror that this women is feeling, I think its appropriate to show us in a brutal fashinon exactly what is happening to her.
The acting is top notch. Barbara Hershy is fantastic, hands down!The material is treated incredibly seriously and it contains some great music and truly moody cinematography! Granted, the finale is a little out of control and a TAD far fetched, but this is a ghoststory afterall. Just suspend your disbelief kiddies...
I wont rattle on and anilyze it too much. If you havent seen it, give it a go. You will no doubt want to leave the lights on.....

Poor Barbara Hershey
I really like Barbara Hershey, and I wish she had saved her talents for something better than this movie. This is the story of a woman stalked by a ghost who rapes her repeatedly. Puportedly based on a true story, it fizzles after a promising beginning, and believing that some woman actually experienced this (or thinks she did) doesn't help matters.

The special effects are quite convincing for the time, but fail to carry the movie. I watched this at home, alone, late at night, and wasn't scared at all. Perhaps my expectations were too high after several recommendations, but I was frankly bored by this movie.

That said, Barbara Hershey does turn out a solid performance. That held my interest just enough to watch the entire film. Had it starred a lesser actress, I think I would have stopped watching after the first half hour. If you are a dyed-in-the-wool Barbara Hershey fan, you should catch this movie (it'll make you miss her old lips, however). But if you want to be scared out of your wits, choose something else.