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The Changeling (1980)

 The Changeling (1980)
type
TVTItem
 The Changeling (1980)
label
The Changeling (1980)
 The Changeling (1980)
page
TheChangeling1980
 The Changeling (1980)
comment
The Changeling is a 1980 Canadian horror film directed by Peter Medak, starring George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere and Melvyn Douglas. It has been described as one of the scariest films of all time by Martin Scorsese, and was a direct inspiration for The Others (2001).After losing his wife and daughter in a freak car accident, well-known composer John Russell (Scott) moves into the Chessman House in Seattle to rebuild his life. There, he experiences several supernatural events, prompting him to research the history of the place. With the help of his friend, Claire Norman (Van Devere), he uncovers a horrific crime that was committed in the house years ago. The beneficiary of that crime is still alive and prosperous. However, the long-dead victim won't let them rest until justice is meted out.Despite the relatively stereotypical plot, the film is memorable due to its off-beat tone, the performance of its leads, and some genuinely disturbing moments.
 The Changeling (1980)
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2024-03-22T07:15:33Z
 The Changeling (1980)
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2024-03-22T07:15:33Z
 The Changeling (1980)
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Dropped link to Motif: Not a Feature - UNKNOWN
 The Changeling (1980)
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Motif
 The Changeling (1980)
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DBTropes
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1777688d
type
Genre Savvy
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1777688d
comment
Genre Savvy: It doesn’t take John that long to realize that something is wrong with the house, and an even shorter period for him to realize it’s a Haunted House.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1777688d
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 The Changeling (1980) / int_1777688d
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 The Changeling (1980)
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The Changeling (1980) / int_1777688d
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b465242
type
Conditioned to Accept Horror
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b465242
comment
Conditioned to Accept Horror: It's implied that the deaths of his wife and daughter have numbed John to the point he can be stoical in the face of Nightmare Fuel.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b465242
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1.0
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b465242
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The Changeling (1980) / int_1b465242
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b65dfad
type
The Cameo
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b65dfad
comment
The Cameo: Barry Morse shows up for one scene as a parapsychologist.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_1b65dfad
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The Changeling (1980) / int_1b65dfad
 The Changeling (1980) / int_269e82c1
type
Death of a Child
 The Changeling (1980) / int_269e82c1
comment
Death of a Child: Kathy, Cora and Joseph had their lives tragically cut short.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_269e82c1
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The Changeling (1980) / int_269e82c1
 The Changeling (1980) / int_27ab0123
type
Offing the Offspring
 The Changeling (1980) / int_27ab0123
comment
Offing the Offspring: Joseph's father murdered him and replaced him with a healthier "changeling" to prevent his inheritance from going to charity in case Joseph died early.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_27ab0123
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The Changeling (1980) / int_27ab0123
 The Changeling (1980) / int_2d78cee0
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Cobweb Jungle
 The Changeling (1980) / int_2d78cee0
comment
Cobweb Jungle: The hidden room in the attic.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_2d78cee0
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The Changeling (1980) / int_2d78cee0
 The Changeling (1980) / int_3437ee2c
type
Inheritance Murder
 The Changeling (1980) / int_3437ee2c
comment
Inheritance Murder: Joseph was born a very sickly child, who's sickness left him stuck in a wheelchair, and was unlikely to reach adulthood. Because the family wealth would have gone to charity if Joseph died before inheriting it at 21, his father murdered him and adopted a healthy orphan to take his place so he wouldn't lose the fortune.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_3437ee2c
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The Changeling (1980) / int_3437ee2c
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4023b8c8
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First-Name Basis
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4023b8c8
comment
First-Name Basis: Off-screen, some time during the horse-ride, John and Claire drop the prefixes and surnames.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4023b8c8
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The Changeling (1980) / int_4023b8c8
 The Changeling (1980) / int_403b6f3
type
Fainting
 The Changeling (1980) / int_403b6f3
comment
Emotional Fainting: John after witnessing Joseph's murder.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_403b6f3
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The Changeling (1980) / int_403b6f3
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4160410d
type
Damsel in Distress
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4160410d
comment
Damsel in Distress: For a short while, Claire when she's being chased by the wheelchair.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4160410d
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The Changeling (1980) / int_4160410d
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4179d411
type
Spooky Séance
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4179d411
comment
Spooky Séance: Unconventional, with the non-hammy psychic using automatic writing to communicate with Joseph. It leads to the protagonists uncovering who's actually haunting the Chessman House, and why.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4179d411
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The Changeling (1980) / int_4179d411
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4c5f0662
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Girl Next Door
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4c5f0662
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Girl Next Door: Claire Norman.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_4c5f0662
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The Changeling (1980) / int_4c5f0662
 The Changeling (1980) / int_53f5119f
type
The Dragon
 The Changeling (1980) / int_53f5119f
comment
The Dragon: Captain DeWitt is one for Senator Carmichael.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_53f5119f
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The Changeling (1980) / int_53f5119f
 The Changeling (1980) / int_59f4d283
type
Ominous Music Box Tune
 The Changeling (1980) / int_59f4d283
comment
Ominous Music Box Tune: The musicbox found in the hidden room.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_59f4d283
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The Changeling (1980) / int_59f4d283
 The Changeling (1980) / int_5ce2c9c6
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Suddenly Shouting
 The Changeling (1980) / int_5ce2c9c6
comment
Another memorable moment: "You goddamn son of a bitch... What is it you want? What do you WANT FROM ME!?"
 The Changeling (1980) / int_5ce2c9c6
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The Changeling (1980) / int_5ce2c9c6
 The Changeling (1980) / int_5d414804
type
Just Friends
 The Changeling (1980) / int_5d414804
comment
Just Friends: Implied with John and Claire.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_5d414804
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 The Changeling (1980) / int_5d414804
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The Changeling (1980) / int_5d414804
 The Changeling (1980) / int_6411dac8
type
BadassNormal
 The Changeling (1980) / int_6411dac8
comment
Badass Normal: John remains calm and collected in situations that make the audience hide behind the couch in fear.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_6411dac8
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The Changeling (1980) / int_6411dac8
 The Changeling (1980) / int_643618e5
type
Replacement Goldfish
 The Changeling (1980) / int_643618e5
comment
Replacement Goldfish: Senator Joseph Carmichael was actually an orphan adopted by Richard Carmichael for the sole purpose of replacing his son, the real Joseph, who Richard had murdered to keep control of his inheritance. The fake Joseph grew up in Switzerland in the years prior to WW1 and the Great War itself, with his adoptive father claiming that "experimental European treatments" had fixed his various health issues when they returned to America.
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The Changeling (1980) / int_643618e5
 The Changeling (1980) / int_868409c
type
Broken Pedestal
 The Changeling (1980) / int_868409c
comment
Broken Pedestal: The Senator can't think of his foster father the same way again, ever.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_868409c
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 The Changeling (1980) / int_868409c
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The Changeling (1980) / int_868409c
 The Changeling (1980) / int_89b8822f
type
Go Mad from the Revelation
 The Changeling (1980) / int_89b8822f
comment
Go Mad from the Revelation: Sen. Carmichael when he is "brought" to the house via paranormal phenomenon and made to witness the murder of the real Joseph Carmichael, immediately followed by a Hollywood Heart Attack
 The Changeling (1980) / int_89b8822f
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The Changeling (1980) / int_89b8822f
 The Changeling (1980) / int_8ed5c6e4
type
Asshole Victim
 The Changeling (1980) / int_8ed5c6e4
comment
Asshole Victim: Captain DeWitt acts more as an enforcer for Senator Carmichael and has the gall to blackmail John that he will get him falsely locked up in an asylum if he doesn't give him what he wants and even uses his wife's and daughter's deaths to justify his supposed eroding sanity. Needless to say it is NOT hard to watch (only scarily surprising) getting what's coming to him.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_8ed5c6e4
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The Changeling (1980) / int_8ed5c6e4
 The Changeling (1980) / int_95c2a9dd
type
Outliving One's Offspring
 The Changeling (1980) / int_95c2a9dd
comment
Outliving One's Offspring: After witnessing the death of your only child, you have to re-live the murder of another child, whose spirit won't let you rest until you help him.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_95c2a9dd
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 The Changeling (1980) / int_95c2a9dd
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The Changeling (1980) / int_95c2a9dd
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a1b76006
type
Nerves of Steel
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a1b76006
comment
Nerves of Steel: Russell/G.C. Scott's portrayal of him. What kind of man decides to dig up evidence deep down a haunted well all by himself, in the middle of the night? That too, after the remains of a dead child were found in the same spot just a few hours ago.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a1b76006
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The Changeling (1980) / int_a1b76006
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a4c37cbe
type
Mood Whiplash
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a4c37cbe
comment
Mood Whiplash: At least twice. The opening scene begins with John, Joanna and Kathy laughing about being stuck in the snow, and quickly turns into the worst embodiment of parental fear when Joanna and Kathy are run over by a car, as John is forced to watch helplessly from a telephone booth. Another scene opens as a tearjerker, with John grieving over Kathy's death, but unexpectedly turns into nightmare fuel as loud, banging noises fill the whole house and interrupt John in his grief. After the aforementioned Mirror Scare with Captain DeWitt... the phone immediately rings.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a4c37cbe
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The Changeling (1980) / int_a4c37cbe
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a70223
type
Karma Houdini
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a70223
comment
Karma Houdini: Richard Carmichael is long dead by the time the movie takes place, meaning there is no way to bring Joseph's murderer to justice.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a70223
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 The Changeling (1980) / int_a70223
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The Changeling (1980) / int_a70223
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a8a4b41e
type
Not So Stoic
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a8a4b41e
comment
Not So Stoic: A poignant example when Russell cries in bed, thinking of his daughter. Another memorable moment: "You goddamn son of a bitch... What is it you want? What do you WANT FROM ME!?"
 The Changeling (1980) / int_a8a4b41e
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The Changeling (1980) / int_a8a4b41e
 The Changeling (1980) / int_b0cac376
type
The Usurper
 The Changeling (1980) / int_b0cac376
comment
The Usurper: Deconstructed with Senator Joseph Carmichael - he had little choice in matter at the time.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_b0cac376
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The Changeling (1980) / int_b0cac376
 The Changeling (1980) / int_b97c2cfb
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Maybe Ever After
 The Changeling (1980) / int_b97c2cfb
comment
Maybe Ever After: The ending implies that Claire will stand by John and help him recover from what has been his second ordeal in less than six months.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_b97c2cfb
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The Changeling (1980) / int_b97c2cfb
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bafa1190
type
Unfinished Business
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bafa1190
comment
Unfinished Business: Joseph won't rest until the beneficiary of his murder is punished.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bafa1190
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1.0
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bafa1190
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The Changeling (1980) / int_bafa1190
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bc1faa80
type
Mirror Scare
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bc1faa80
comment
After the aforementioned Mirror Scare with Captain DeWitt... the phone immediately rings.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_bc1faa80
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The Changeling (1980) / int_bc1faa80
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c1b2c63f
type
Dull Surprise
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c1b2c63f
comment
Dull Surprise: John's reaction to the medal revealing itself. Justified, as by then, he has seen it all.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c1b2c63f
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The Changeling (1980) / int_c1b2c63f
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c2cedc1c
type
Big "NO!"
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c2cedc1c
comment
Big "NO!": Senator Carmichael gives an anguished one in response to John's revelations about his father.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c2cedc1c
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The Changeling (1980) / int_c2cedc1c
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c514c2c4
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Gentleman and a Scholar
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c514c2c4
comment
Gentleman and a Scholar: John Russell's a Nice Guy and a distinguished composer.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_c514c2c4
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The Changeling (1980) / int_c514c2c4
 The Changeling (1980) / int_cdfe12c3
type
Nothing Is Scarier
 The Changeling (1980) / int_cdfe12c3
comment
Nothing Is Scarier: Joseph only appears in apparitions and images, never directly. The physical hauntings resemble poltergeist activity.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_cdfe12c3
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The Changeling (1980) / int_cdfe12c3
 The Changeling (1980) / int_d29a6629
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Death by Childbirth
 The Changeling (1980) / int_d29a6629
comment
Death by Childbirth: Joseph's mother died giving birth to him, and since their wealth came from her side of the family, Joseph technically inherited it, with his father simply being in charge of it until Joseph reached 21.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_d29a6629
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The Changeling (1980) / int_d29a6629
 The Changeling (1980) / int_d3a4af1e
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Sympathy for the Devil
 The Changeling (1980) / int_d3a4af1e
comment
Sympathy for the Devil: Both John and the audience find it hard not to feel sorry for the Senator once we know his role in the story.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_d3a4af1e
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 The Changeling (1980) / int_e4b82f6f
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Fascinating Eyebrow
 The Changeling (1980) / int_e4b82f6f
comment
Fascinating Eyebrow: During the seance scene, John tries not to look cynical but fails to dissimulate his skeptical expression.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_e4b82f6f
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The Changeling (1980) / int_e4b82f6f
 The Changeling (1980) / int_f9439c84
type
Haunted House
 The Changeling (1980) / int_f9439c84
comment
Haunted House: Joseph doesn't just haunt the manor he was murdered in, but also the plot of land his body was buried under... which unfortunately has had a house built upon it since then.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_f9439c84
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The Changeling (1980) / int_f9439c84
 The Changeling (1980) / int_fd1b902c
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Non-Malicious Monster
 The Changeling (1980) / int_fd1b902c
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Non-Malicious Monster: The ghost turns out to not be evil at all, as he's just an innocent kid who was murdered, and mainly is just reaching out for help.
 The Changeling (1980) / int_fd1b902c
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The Changeling (1980)

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 The Changeling (1980)
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Canadian Movies / int_1ea6065d
 The Changeling (1980)
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Psychological Thriller / int_1ea6065d