THE ORPHAN (1979)
aka FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE ORPHAN Directed by John Ballard
Prism VHS
THE FILM
1933: A young boy’s parents die in rather unpleasant circumstances. So, his aunt comes to stay with him on the huge family estate. The boy doesn’t like his aunt. She’s doing her best but every time she takes a good step forward, something in her rather strict/Puritan nature sets everything back. The boy’s not well to begin with. Things don’t get better as the movie goes along.
The Orphan is a very good movie with a real nice atmosphere and a slow creep that builds towards the climax. But, like Let’s Scare Jessica to Death, I don’t want to give too much away. All I knew when I rented it was, “It’s got an orphan in it. It’s set in the past. It’s from the 70s (actually the 60s and the 70s).” Apart from that, nothing. I imagined it was similar to The Other. It is, in a way. It’s more low-key and is far more interested in the relationships of the characters and the boy’s slowly declining mental state than standard horror film “incidents”. It’s one of those films where when something big does happen, it almost seems a little strange.
In one respect, if you’re a little tired or impatient when you’re watching this, you may get fidgety. I was right on board and enjoyed it very much.
Let me add this: In mid-2007, there is still joy to be had at video stores. Netflix floods my mailbox. I buy stuff on-line all the time. But, good old VHS...I’ve been reading Stephen Thrower’s Nightmare U.S.A., which is superb, and I reached the chapter on The Orphan. My first thought was “Oh, the Friday The 13th film that’s almost fooled me into renting it several times.” But, I realized that that was the young me talking. “Friday the 13th: The Orphan! What the hell!? I’m getting this…Hey! This isn’t…Rip-off! This is worse than The Night After Halloween.” Well, it sometimes takes a while to grow out of being a dope.
I reached the chapter and stopped before I read Mr. Thrower’s review. It was a Saturday afternoon. I set down the book, put on my shoes, grabbed my wallet and ran across the street to Eddie Brandt’s Saturday Matinee. I rushed in and grabbed the VHS of The Orphan. Within ten minutes, I was back in my living room, sitting down with a nice sandwich and watching it.
Excellent. It has a 70s date on it but it feels like it was made right before the 70s horror films that we know. Less gore, less violence and a bit more thoughtful. I was caught up until the end and when it ended I missed it a bit. (I missed all the snow, too.) Nice.
Then, I picked up Nightmare USA and kept reading. VHS Lives!
Well, no. It’s dead. But, so are madrigals and people still go goofy for those.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
It looked a bit wonky here and there. The colors were a little bit on the smushed and faded side. But, it was not a problem. The audio was fine.
EXTRAS
Dominique is… You know. I fast forwarded past it. I knew what she was. I wanted to get to the movie.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A movie that you may have seen on the shelves a hundred times but never thought to rent. You should. (Who knows if there will be a DVD?) It’s calm, deliberate, always interesting and rather unsettling throughout. I’m giving it the Bleeding Skull Stamp Of Approval. Maybe watch it with The Other to see the way they handled this sort of thing just a few years later. Or watch it with Friday The 13th and confuse yourself.
— Dan Budnik, 07.05.07 | 
Yes, The Orphan
Rip off!
Kids love guns
Rhymes with "itch"
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