Director: Eric Walter
Starring: Daniel Lutz, Susan Bartell, Laura DiDio, Lorraine Warren
Running Time: 88 minutes
Certificate: 15
Synopsis: For the first time in 35 years, Daniel Lutz recounts his version of the infamous Amityville haunting that terrified his family in 1975. George and Kathleen Lutz’s story went on to inspire a best-selling novel and the subsequent films have continued to fascinate audiences today. This documentary reveals the horror behind growing up as part of a world famous haunting and while Daniel’s facts may be other’s fiction, the psychological scars he carries are indisputable.
The infamous events that sparked one of the most iconic horror films of all-time are given a timely reintroduction thanks to this documentary from writer/director Eric Walter. THE AMITYVILLE HORROR, based on the best-selling 1977 novel by Jay Anson, told of the turbulent 28 days when the Lutz family supposedly endured all kinds of spooky activity following the purchase of their dream home in New York’s privileged Long Island location. Of course, it’s now the stuff of legend and whether you believe those notorious tales of terror or not, Hollywood’s continued to milk it for years.
Despite being a huge horror geek, the original was never a film that I felt deserved the hype. To me it’s a rather tepid affair and I much prefer the prequel/sequel AMITYVILLE II: THE POSSESSION, which put a supernatural slant on a retelling of previous tragic DeFeo tenants, whose disturbed son Ronald killed his entire family as they slept and for me, that’s where the real horror lies and the only real truth we know.
Still, going back (for rather forward) to The Lutz’s time at 112 Ocean Avenue, whatever happened during those 28 days (and beyond), is something that will be forever engrained into little Danny Lutz. MY AMITYVILE HORROR throws the main focus on the now grown son of strict former military man George (or step-son in George’s case) and Kathy Lutz as he opens up about that short period in his life which has indeed left an indelible impression on his childhood. He genuinely believes those increasingly strange and horrifying occurrences depicted in print and film did happen. Just has his parents claimed. However, it’s obvious there is something bubbling away inside Danny that’s so much more than a strong belief in religion, demons and spirits.
Initially reluctant to speak, Danny slowly begins to open up about his time living with George, before, during and after Amityville. He’s angry. Very angry! Every conversation in which George’s name is brought up, sees him simmering, spitting vitriol at times. He freely admits the two never got on and when 15, during the time his mother and step-father we’re on every talk show to promote the book and film, he saw this as a perfect chance to finally escape his own horror.
We see through interviews with a number of journalists, close friends and family members how things played out for them during December 1975. The psychologists, demonologists (who included the world-renowned Ed and Lorraine Warren) and the like. Each giving their own version of the aftermath. Yet still nothing or no one can establish the true facts and they come across (in particular Lorrraine Warren) as people Danny found solace in, or cared for him during a short time while Mom and Dad played happy families during a media obsession. A distraction for his step-father is perhaps the most probable answer. The sullen and tortured face of an elder Danny is the only showcase needed to suggest George had his own demons and unfortunately Danny bore the brunt of those.
That abuse is etched on Danny and you will feel for him. Not that he seems accepting of pity but his own Amityville Horror story is most certainly a tortured look at an innocence lost long before the ghouls (supposedly) came along.
MY AMITYVILLE HORROR is released on DVD from the 28th October, 2013.
