The Changeling is the rare ghost story whose second act is basically research - George C. Scott in historical society basements, birth records, a seance transcript - and it terrified a generation anyway. Medak builds dread out of a wheelchair on a staircase and a red rubber ball. Programmed here as the horror end of a series about reading. If you have only heard about this one, correct that in a theater.
What to expect
A slow-burn 1980 feature that trades gore for architecture and sound, projected for an audience that mostly knows the reputation and not the film. Expect the famous set pieces to land harder in a full room than they ever do at home. 107 minutes without intermission.
Good to know
- 1 to 66th Street-Lincoln Center, then west to the theaters on 65th Street
- Only one screening in this window - book rather than walking up
- Runtime is around one hour and 47 minutes
- Screens as part of the Bibliomania repertory programme
- Genuinely frightening rather than campy; not a small-child screening
- Wheelchair accessible with assistive listening available
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Common questions
Is this related to the Angelina Jolie film?
No. This is Peter Medak's 1980 Canadian ghost story starring George C. Scott, unconnected to Clint Eastwood's 2008 Changeling.
How scary is it?
Very, but through atmosphere, sound and architecture rather than gore. It is regularly cited as one of the most effective haunted-house films ever made.
What is Bibliomania?
Film at Lincoln Center's 15-film repertory series about how cinema dramatizes reading, research and archival obsession, running through early September.
More this weekend
