I'm not sure what it is about certain ghost stories that seem to get my heart pumping more than other scary movies but when they are done right, as it is here with The Changeling, they can seriously freak me out. It's not even a particularly violent film, with an emphasis placed instead on a growing tension, compelling mystery and a genuinely spooky atmosphere. Anchored by a reliably great George C. Scott, this one one of the better scary movies I have ever seen.
Having recently lost his wife and daughter in a tragic automobile accident, composer John Russell (played by George C. Scott) has moved to Seattle to take a job at the local college and work on a new piece of music. A friend of his helps him secure the rental of a local old house through her contact with the Historical Society, Claire Norman (played by Trish Van Devere). Seeing the secluded house as an ideal work space, he agrees to rent the property. Soon after moving in though, strange things begin happening. A loud banging occurs early each morning that cannot be sourced through the house's boiler or plumbing. When an upstairs window blows outward, John looks through the house to try and find the corresponding window. In the process he discovers a hidden room that beyond the layers and layers of cobwebs and dust appears to have belonged to a small boy. A small, disabled boy as indicated by the small, antique wheelchair. John and Claire begin researching the history of the house to find out whose spirit haunts the house and what it could possibly want from them.
With a tight script by William Gray and Diana Maddox from a story by Russell Hunter and stylish direction by Peter Medak, this is a fantastic spook story that kept me guessing the whole way through the first time I saw it. George C. Scott gives a great performance in the lead role that adds some classiness and gravitas to the film as well. I just loved how he played his role as someone who was trying to get over the death of his wife and child as well as rebuild his life. You get a sense that these things are in his character's mind in a subtle way that he never overplays. At the same time, he gets wrapped up in this new mystery he has stumbled into. The film also has some genuinely creepy moments, including perhaps the best executed and scariest seance scene I have seen on film.
Overall, The Changeling remains one of the best scary movies I have ever seen. With a unique and riveting story that is well told by the filmmakers and a great performance from George C. Scott, makes for a perfect film for those looking for a little edge of your seat entertainment.
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