User reviews

James Farentino plays boozy Father Kevin Leahy. He dies during a car crash, but is given his life back to fight evil. All of this is shown before the credits even roll. Farentino is quite good in this somewhat intense role and carries the film. At the Helen Page All-Girls School unexplained fires start happening, so Leahy is brought in to investigate.

I think the biggest problem I had with this 1977 TV Movie originally shown on NBC was what it wanted to be. It obviously was inspired by William Friedkin's THE EXORCIST, but half the time it just plays itself out like a cheap knock-off. Also becomes dialogue heavy and by the end of the movie the possession angle is pretty hokey. Which is too bad, because I did enjoy Farentino's performance.

Also starring Diana Scarwid, Dinah Manoff, P.J. Soles (as students at the all-girls school) and a pre-STAR WARS Harrison Ford who plays a nutty, creepy teacher Paul Winjam. Was very interesting seeing an early film role for Ford, but at the same time it wasn't exactly a very memorable role.

Along with Gargoyles, Trilogy of Terror & Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, this movie scared the crap out of me when I was a kid. The premise, though somewhat formulaic, is still quite effective in this flick. The possession scenes are great, with a particular "hell yea!" during the nail spitting sequence! THAT freaked me out. Poor Harrison Ford hides from this film like it's leprosy or something. I dunno why...it beats "The Devil's Own" ANY day!!!

J Richter

In 2023 the kitschy opening scene comes off more like the origin of a supervillain rather than of the hero the man is obviously supposed to be. Kindly setting that aside, this made-for-TV horror movie progresses with much the same tenor as most of its kin, with a lot of conversation, straightforward dramatic airs, and investigation flavored with only touches of abnormal goings-on for much of the length. Those abnormalities do escalate, in fairness, and there's a nice twist to come when we're about three-quarters of an hour through. Then again, is it actually a twist if the script strangely doesn't do anything with it? I don't think it's so simple as to say that 'The possessed' is just altogether bad; I see what it did well, and there are worse ways to spend one's time. There's also a great deal that it does poorly, however, and sadly I just don't think it's very good.

Past that revelation with which the script does nothing, we climb into the home stretch of these seventy-six minutes and have to wonder if the chief abnormality of the whole production hasn't actually been the writing all along. Substantial portions of the dialogue and scene writing are pretty much just senseless; elsewhere they're vague, or scattered; at other times a moment comes across as overly direct. All this applies equally to the direction, and the actors can only try to make the most of it all with their best earnest effort. The acting comes off better at some points more than others, yet unfortunately I don't think there's any point weaker than the climax. Joan Hackett seems to be having fun, at least, but my reaction swiftly went from "hey, she's really leaning into it" to laughing at how over the top it was. That climax is also written and shot so sloppily that it's almost incohesive, and the resolution thereof - while marked by a neat effect - feels so much like John Sacret Young just shoving his typewriter off the desk and exclaiming "done" without actually finding a real solution.

In that climax, by the way, we also see how while the makeup artists did fine work, they were apparently instructed to piggyback off of 'The exorcist.' This dovetails neatly into how Leonard Rosenman's score hovers between conventional TV thriller music, and borrowing from Jerry Goldsmith's timeless compositions for 'The omen.' I do actually like the effects here, and I think there was strong potential in the concept, and in some of the story threads. However, though Leahy seems to be posited as a figure of momentous import, the script does nothing meaningful with him. The reveal of the antagonist comes from out of nowhere; the moments preceding the climactic showdown portend something bigger and more wicked afoot, but the screenplay just can't be bothered to explore any such possibilities. 'The possessed' is a picture that relies on the big beats of the narrative to carry the day, trusting that it will be enough, but the writing is ultimately so simplistic in that regard, and otherwise extremely variable in its quality, that the whole can never capture a spark of vitality.

To each their own. Other folks will watch this and just think it's a good time. I want to like it more than I do, honestly, in recognition of the hard work that went into it. Yet the issue is that the value it can claim is outweighed far too much by its faults and shortcomings, and what entertainment the feature can offer is saddled with observation of one foible after another. Yes, there are worse ways to spend your time, but with so many other things to enjoy instead, there's little reason to direct our attention here. 'The possessed' isn't outright awful, but in the very least it needed much more careful, thoughtful, and focused writing and direction to succeed, and the finished film as we see it is all too lacking.

The legend could be Star Wars made Harrison. Well, Harrison's acting talent existed before the trilogy and this movie, as well as American Graffiti, are here to prove that.

Harrison plays a Don Juanesque teacher in a catholic girl school in which happens demoniac phenomena. He has already his cool attitude and that's why i like him.

Sure the story is a rip-off of the famous exorcist (only a non conformist priest can help them!) but the production is not that bad, especially when you compare it to today productions. Here the effects are authentic, the photography luminous and clear and the story has a direct plot and not a melting-polt of opinions or a collage of bloody, shocking scenes.

So the 70s was the best period from this frightening genre and even a poor production from this time excels from the today stinkers!

Mysterious fires keep breaking out at an all-girls school...could they have something to do with a recent car accident that nearly killed a minister who'd lost his faith? He has since become an exorcist (!) and believes Satanic forces have enveloped the school. Ridiculous TV-screamer worth-noting only for its cast: James Farentino, Eugene Roche, Harrison Ford (as a biology teacher having an affair with one of the students), Dinah Manoff, P. J. Soles, Diana Scarwid, and "special guest star" Joan Hackett. Picking the bones clean off a current movie trend, writer John Sacret Young shows no shame. Headmistress Hackett, whose room is decorated with her extensive butterfly collection, gets the worst scene: seducing ex-Father Farentino wearing two coats of lip gloss and maroon-colored tights underneath her raised skirt. * from ****

While by no means on par with such a great made-for-tv horror films from the 70s, such as The Night Stalker and Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, not to mention the early 80s classic Dark Night of the Scarecrow, The Possessed is chock-full of fantastic acting. Those playing the high school girls, right on up through more experienced actors like James Farentino, a young Harrison Ford, and the wonderful character actor, Eugene Roche, all take their roles seriously, and turn what could have easily been a ho-hum affair into something far more entertaining. As silly as the plot is on the face of it, if one suspends disbelief, there is also some above-average dialogue.

"The Possessed" is better than you might expect, mainly due to the absence of gore and shocks (since this is a TV movie, they didn't even get to show any nudity). The recently deceased James Farentino plays a priest investigating strange occurrences in a girls' school in Salem, Oregon. One of the most famous things about the movie nowadays is that it was probably Harrison Ford's final role before he became known as Han Solo. But like I said, the emphasis on suspense rather than gore and special effects strengthens the movie. The last ten minutes turn out to be the really creepy part of the movie. It's definitely worth seeing if you get a chance. Also starring Joan Hackett, P.J. Soles (Norma in "Carrie") and Diana Scarwid (Christina in "Mommie Dearest").

This late out of the blocks made-for-t.v. rip-off of "The Exorcist" is unlucky enough to 'star' James Farentino, busy nursing his two expressions until the next mini-series comes along. What redeems this film though are a strong performance by a young Harrison Ford and a simply terrific one by Joan Hackett.Her character oozes madness, repressed sexuality and fierce intelligence, displayed with a clarity reminiscent of Anthony Perkins work in "Psycho". Rarely has insanity been so chillingly portrayed as here, despite the limitations of the format.

Lost-his-faith priest Kevin Leahy (James Farentino) dies in a car accident. He is admonished by God for having lost his faith and returned to Earth on a mission to seek out evil. He quickly finds it at an all girls school run by siblings Ellen (Claudette Nevins) and Louise (Joan Hackett). Fires have been starting with seemingly no source and it appears to actually be targeting the girls. This TV movie plays like a pilot for THE EXORCIST: THE SERIES, but WB Television never went any further with it. Farentino is good in the lead role and you'll notice some familiar faces among the students including P.J. Soles, Dinah Manoff, and Ann Dusenberry. Perhaps the biggest draw for folks is a pre-STAR WARS Harrison Ford as the girls' biology teacher. The fire bits are pretty spooky, as is the performance of the possessed person (I won't spoil it) during the last ten minutes. The end gets down to the EXORCIST-lite moments, including the possessed person puking up nails (!) on the priest.

Made for TV movies are fun. "The Possessed" is like a small screen version of "The Exorcist". Only easier to see. A priest(James Farentino) who was involved in a car accident gets a second chance at life following his ordeal with alcohol and disbelief. He would go to this all-girls school which next year would be coed. Bad things happen in the school. Things were catching on fire, the graduating class get a little scare when the valedictorian gets mysteriously burned during practice. And most of all, the biology teacher(Harrison Ford) gets engulfed by the flames after he saved the student, earlier. The priest takes action against the evil that terrorized the school. Despite being a TV movie, it does have a great cast. Eventhough Ford's role was small. It was made by Warner Bros. Still good to enjoy. 2 out of 5 stars

The nail spitting! I'm now 56 and remember it vividly even though I saw it in about 1980 on late night (British) TV - scared the hell out of me! I can't remember much else about the movie but the fact the brilliant Joan Hackett is in it does it for me, it must be pretty good. I'd love to see it again.

The Possessed (1977)

*** (out of 4)

Father Kevin Leahy (James Farentino) is in an automobile accident when he is pronounced dead on the scene. In the limbo he hears a voice telling him to return to life and seek out the Evil in the world. Soon afterwards he ends up at a girl's boarding school in Salen, Oregon where mysterious fires have been breaking out. The head mistress (Joan Hackett), her sister (Claudette Nevins) and her younger daughter (Ann Dusenberry) all seem to have some sort of connection.

THE POSSESSED is without question one of the better made-for-television horror movies ever made. It's kind of funny that Warner now handles the release of the picture since it was released the same year as their disastrous EXORCIST II. There's no question that this movie was probably inspired by THE EXORCIST but everything wrong with that film's sequel is certainly improved on here. There's no doubt that I went into the movie not sure what to expect but I walked away with an extremely good film that manages to feature great performances and a pretty good story.

The performances are certainly a major plus because there's quite a bit of character development here. Farentino is wonderful as the Father who finds himself trying to figure out exactly why he was brought back to life and who is behind these Satanic fires. Nevins is also excellent in her role as the mother and Dusenberry is also good. The supporting cast includes Dinah Manoff, P.J. Soles and Diana Scarwid. The biggest name is Harrison Ford who is excellent in a small role as a professor. The film also benefits from some nice cinematography and an extremely effective music score.

Another thing that really works for the movie is its pacing by director Jerry Thorpe. He certainly knows how to keep the film moving and manages to make the story quite interesting and makes it hold your attention even without the big-budget special effects. The ending itself is quite good, although there's no question that they were going for the same feel as THE EXORCIST. THE POSSESSED isn't a masterpiece but it's about as good as a film like this can get.

In THE POSSESSED, Father Kevin Leahy (James Farentino) is killed in a car crash, only to be judged to have fallen from grace. Returned to life, he must seek out and fight eeevil.

Meanwhile, at the Helen Page private girl's school, in addition to the usual end of the year hijinks, strange things begin happening. Spontaneous, near-fatal fires break out.

Friends Weezie and Lane (Ann Dusenberry and Diana Scarwid) have only three weeks to go before graduation. Lane's mother, Ellen (Claudette Nevins) has taught at the school for years. Burned in one of the fires herself, Ellen fears that dark forces are at work. Willing to try anything, Ellen is referred to Leahy. Can he discover the source of the problem, before someone else is hurt or even killed?

As made-for-TV horror films go, this is one of the better ones dealing with the paranormal / supernatural. The story is interesting, using fire as a metaphor for jealous rage, which is what seems to have allowed the demonic presence to flourish. The characters are strong and the pool-side finale is magnificent! Farentino is quite believable in his rather dour role.

Co-stars Joan Hackett as headmistress, Louise Gelson, and Harrison Ford as biology teacher, Paul Winjam. Ford has one of the best, grimmest scenes in the movie! Watch for P.J. Soles in a tiny role...