Had seen this in the mid 80s on a VHS. Revisited it recently on a DVD. Its one of the best haunted house/ghost story. After losing his wife and child in a car accident, George Scott rents a secluded mansion so he can immerse himself in his work and try to move on with his life. George C. Scott is terrific in the lead role. Scott expertly conveyed the pain the character is going thru. The film is very atmospheric, it features excellent cinematography. The director did an excellent job. He created a character outta the spooky mansion. The creepy hallways of the house, the darkened attic, all these are masterfully done. The camera-work is unique, making the viewer feel as if they are in the house along with Scott. Some may not find this scary specially with all those usual stuff like doors banging, pipes making noises, piano playing by itself, window panes breaking, taps starting on its own, etc. but there was sufficient tension n gripping story to hold viewers attention. It is a very well done haunted house, ghost story with more emphasis on the character n drama. I find movies like these sad.

John Russell, a composer and music professor, loses his wife and daughter in a tragic accident. Seeking solace, he moves into an old mansion unoccupied for twelve years. But a child- like presence seems to be sharing the house, and trying to share its secrets, with him. Through research into the house's past and a séance held within, Russell discovers the horrific secret of the house's past, a secret that the presence will no longer allow to be kept........If your a horror fan, there is nothing more refreshing than a good old fashioned haunted house movie, without any CGI to spoil the atmospherics.The Woman In Black aside, it's been so many years since we had an effective haunted house movie, and from watching this really effective horror movie, I'm really surprised that more haven't been made.......without the use of CGI.Scott is as impeccable as he ever is, and he brings more to the films atmospherics due to his emotional performance. There are times when he's edging towards the hammy side, but he restraints himself, especially toward the end.It's a slow burner for sure, but it's consistently eerie, from the banging heard at six in the morning, to one of the most wonderful séance scenes I have seen for a long time, to John playing back that séance on tape and hearing other worldly noises not spotted first.If you are a fan of everything Blumhouse, with all their quiet..........quiet............quiet...........bang!! Cow prod scares, see this, this is what proper horror looks like, and the film doesn't force you into jumping.Your just too scared to notice that your not doing it.

The Changeling is without a doubt the most frightening movie I have seen to date. The only other that comes close is Dark Night of the Scarecrow which is very hard to find...I find that most movies today classified within the horror genre are just blood and gore...I can go to the local butcher shop for that.....I couldn't sleep after seeing the Changeling as I found it unnerving..and creepy...It is probably the last of the great horror films that accomplish an atmosphere of horror through suggestion of imminent danger with only sound,minimal chilling visuals and acting....actual acting, not the histrionics of individuals qualifying for anger management therapy. One will not be disappointed by this film,..I have not seen another like it

I first saw the Changeling in 1981 I was 11 years old and this movie has stayed with me ever since. a Better horror story then the Amityville horror . And a greater ghost story then the Haunting.John Russell is a world famous composer and conductor who loses his family in a tragic auto accident. four months later Russell decides to make changes in his life. He is given a teaching job at a university in Seattle. Russell decides to look for a house providing the rent is cheap and a friend suggests the historical society that would rent him a older historical home cheap. With the help of the lovely historical society agent Claire Norman John finds the perfect house at Chessman park road. t s a sprawling four story mansion. The kind they don't make anymore. Russell falls in love with the house and signs the lease. Almost as soon as he moves in mysterious things happen. And these things lead to a unthinkable end. John finds a old room a child's room hidden in a attic. a wheelchair fitted for a small boy sits in a corner. the ghost shows John how and reveals why he was murdered and demands vengeance even at the cost of John's life.The Changeling is that rare instance of a horror movie so full of suspense and fear. and it stays with you. the originality of it is still fresh even 35 years after I first saw it. a true guilty pleasure. Very few films in my mind can even equal it. Worth seeing again and again.