Based on the best-selling Stephen King novel, Carrie "catches the mind, shakes it and refuses to let it go" (Time)! Starring Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie (in OscarÂ(r)-nominated* performances), John Travolta and Amy ... more »Irving, this ultimate revenge fantasy is "absolutely spellbinding" (Roger Ebert), "outrageously witty" (Los Angeles Times) and one of the all-time great horror classics! At the center of the terror is Carrie (Spacek), a tortured high-school misfit with no confidence, no friends...and no idea about the extent of her secret powers of telekinesis. But when her psychotic mother and sadistic classmates finally go too far, the once-shy teen becomes an unrestrained, vengeance-seeking powerhouse who, with the help of her 'special gift,' causes all hell to break loose in a famed cinematic frenzy of blood, fire and brimstone!« less
Enjoyed some of Stephen King's work but was not particularly impressed with this!
Movie Reviews
I Can See Your Dirty Pillows!!!
Sheila Chilcote-Collins | Collinswood, Van Wert, OH USA | 06/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Stephen King's first novel that was adapted into film version is quite true to the author's words. While Stephen King was less than pleased with the film version of his malevolent masterpiece, "The Shining", King was quite happy with Brian De Palma's direction and his vision with "Carrie".
Sissy Spacek in her debut role as the freakish, shy and telekinetic Carrie White. Sissy beat out Melanie Griffith and Carrie Fisher for the title role that launched her career. The beautiful Piper Laurie is cast as the ravenous religious fanatic, stark-raving, bible beating, madwoman and Carrie's mother, Margaret White who chastises Carrie relentlessly and has a penchant for locking her daughter in the closet with a really creepy, crucified Jesus statue and candles so that Carrie may repent of her evil, sinful and womanly ways. Amy Irving as the well-to-do town doctor's daughter Sue Snell and Amy's real-life mom, Priscilla Pointer as the "cocktails at five socialite", Mrs. Snell. William Katt plays Tommy Ross who asks Carrie to The Bates High School Senior Prom, the butch, Betty Buckley as the ultimate in P.E. teachers from Hell, Miss Collins, Nancy Allen , Brian De Palma's wife as the horribly cruel and self-absorbed, Chris Hargensen, John Travolta as the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Billy Nolan and P.J. Soles, the "whore" from Halloween as Chris' best friend and partner in crime, Norma Watson. Even a young Edie, (Grace from Ferris Buehler's Day Off and the car rental lady from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles) has a bit part.The real star here, however, is Brian De Palma's direction and the cinematography in "Carrie". The opening shower scene rivals "Psycho", the Senior Prom dance scene makes the viewer dizzy no matter how small a screen you watch it on, the split-screen King and Queen and ensuing bloodfest is masterfully directed and shot along with the dream sequence that was filmed backwards in the end. However, my favorite scene is where Margaret White is crucified a la "creepy Jesus statue" style, by her own daughter!A Top 10 Horror Film In My Book!Happy Watching and Unpleasant Dreams!"
Truly horrifying and scary... makes you think.
D. Litton | Wilmington, NC | 03/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Seeing this movie on cable is nothing compared to actually seeing it uncut and rated R. Unlike the ludicrously-conceived sequel, which hit theaters in 1999, this movie does not have a strong emphasis on blood or gore, and there is an evident emotional factor as well. The viewers can actually sympathize with Carrie White as she goes through her adolescent period, endures the hardhips of being the center of ridicule and banter, and her feelings of happiness when Tommy asks her to the prom. Sissy Spacek plays her character to a T, making the emotions believable and realistic. Piper Laurie, who plays her mother, is the pinacle of the tight-fisted parent who allows for nothing degrading to enter into her child's life or mind. Brian de Palma has truly done a marvelous job in recreating the Stephen King classic, and while some factors of the movie and the book differ at different times, there is still a remaining quality of justice done to the novel. This movie will also make some people think twice before making fun of anyone again. To all who see this, I hope you enjoy it."
One of the genre's best!
J. Arena | Williamsburg, VA | 09/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
Steven King's novel depicting the trials of a bullied girl blossoming into womanhood while being victimized by a deranged mother is a masterpiece.
At school, the misfit Carrie White is friendless. Her feminine beauty is invisible to her classmates, who view only her inability to meet the standards of adolescent society. At home, the harassment tears her soul apart. Her mother is a deluded, man-hating and sexually repressed sociopath who unleashes her repressed sexuality by sadistically inflicting punishment on her blossoming daughter in the name of "Jesus."
When Carrie, ignorant of the facts of life, experiences the onset of her period at school, the scene is set for the perfect storm in horror movie history. Carrie believes that she is dying. Her classmates, like the pack of animals that they are, sense blood and go on the attack. At home, it becomes yet another means for the sadist to humiliate her prey. The school is ultimately clueless as to how to address the issue, thereby providing the perfect battlefield for the Armageddon to come.
Carrie is emotionally powerful horror film, an outstanding metaphor for the trauma of adolescent change, and no other film matches it's perfection."
An Unforgettable Horror Film And Tragedy
Steven Kuroiwa | San Francisco, CA USA | 08/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am somewhat of a Brian DePalma fan and saw an edited version of the director's "Carrie" on CBS Network-television in 1978. I recently saw an uncut version of this film. "Carrie" is one of the greatest horror films and tragedies in movie history.Socially awkward high school student Carrie White(Sissy Spacek) uses telekinetic powers to get back at her vicious classmates and religiously fanatical mother(Piper Laurie)."Carrie" rivals "Dressed To Kill" as Brian DePalma's greatest thriller. This movie is the ultimate revenge fantasy for anyone who was picked on during their school days. Both Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie should have won Oscars for their magnificent performances. Spacek gives an unforgettable performance. Laurie is almost charismatic as the domineering and crazed Margaret White. This character offered the perfect comeback role for Laurie after her fifteen-year absence from the big screen. Nancy Allen's malicious Chris qualifies as one of the greatest villainous characters in movie history. DePalma made "Carrie" when he still knew how to make great movies. In recent years, DePalma has not only forgotten how to scare and shock viewers, but he has even forgotten how to make his audience feel genuine emotions. DePalma forces viewers to empathize with the pain and anguish of Carrie White. "Carrie" is a tragedy as well as a horror film. Perhaps no other film director has more realistically depicted adolescent cruelty than DePalma did in "Carrie." The shock conclusion will jolt viewers right out of their seats.DePalma's "Carrie" is very well-recommended."