classicsoncall In the annals of dirty deeds, what Chris Hargensen (Nancy Allen) did to Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) was one of the most vile, despicable acts anyone could possibly imagine. You have to wonder where that kind of hate and evil come from. That bucket of blood certainly wasn't commensurate to getting detention time for mocking Carrie in the girl's gym locker. Out of everything in the movie, that's the single thing that made the biggest impression on me, simply because it was such a monstrous act that it seemed impossible to come up with.Young Sissy Spacek did a commendable job as the severely chastised Carrie White. As her mother, Piper Laurie is virtually over the top in the way she demonstrates her religious fervor, to the point of creating a dysfunctional human being in the person of her daughter. The telekinesis angle used by Stephen King in his novel was an intriguing way through which Carrie exacted her revenge against a handful of scheming classmates. Margaret White (Laurie) called it Satan's Power, but we know it better as the power of Stephen King's written word.Of King's horror novel adaptations, this one stacks up as one of the better ones, owing to Brian De Palma's attentive direction and the effective screenplay by Lawrence Cohen. For it's hour and a half plus run time, it seemed much shorter to me, suggesting that the film had me pretty much focused on the story. The mid-Seventies time frame during which the picture takes place gives it a bit of a dated quality, what with the clothing and hair styles, but King's horror never seems to go out of fashion.

seeingbystarlight These are the words Margaret White says, as she's about to stab her daughter Carrie to death, as punishment for going to the prom.I have seen both movie adaptations of this story, read the novel, and can honestly say that if I had to choose a favorite version, I'd pick this one, if -for no other reason- than because of the outstanding performances of both Piper Laurie, and Sissy Spacek, both of whom shine like new pennies.There is also the presence of John Travolta, early in his career, and Amy Irving early in hers.Though not one of my favorite movies, this film does have something of it's own to offer. It's one of Brian DePalma's best, and will haunt you long after you've finished watching it.What's striking about this story, is the rush one can get from pushing an already racked, and fragile creature over the edge...And the dire consequences that can come from that action.Shy and mousy Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) has been the butt of every cruel joke since toddlerhood.Raised by the fanatical and insane Margaret White (Piper Laurie), Carrie's home life is hell, and her school life is not much better.Constantly demeaned and humiliated, Carrie is surrounded by kids who have no compassion for their situation, and do everything they can to make it worse...That is until pretty and popular Sue Snell (Amy Irving), feeling genuine remorse for her actions, asks her boyfriend Tommy Ross (William Katt), to take Carrie to the prom...But there are certain others in the group, among them Chris Hargensen (Nancy Allen), and Billy Nolan (John Travolta), who see this prom night as a perfect opportunity to do some mischief with an appalling stunt...not knowing it'll be the one that kills them.And not even the caring, and compassionate Miss Collins (Betty Buckley) can stop things now.People say Carrie's gifts are evil.It would be more accurate to say that this is what happens when mean people start preying too much on the weak, and the helpless.Like a myth or a spook story:Don't bully innocent people. Or powerful forces will get you. Originally, Review #88Posted On: July 23, 2010

sock-10875 Classic, but not enough socks. I want to see my brethren. It was also pretty slow at times, but then again it was the 70s.

chrisw-17947 Very well done. Sissy Spacek gave an excellent performance and Brian De Palma directed this movie fantastically. This was scary, sad, and definitely a classic to the horror movie genre.