Product Analysis - The Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror, (Douglas, 2005)

The Amityville Horror is as stated a horror film. It was a remake of the original Amityville horror in1979. Both films are based on the novel by Jay Anson 1977. He was inspired by the real life murder case in Long Island 1974.

The Genre of the film is enhanced even more so when knowing it has been based on a real story; it gives the ability to create a documentary however with just more special effects and a more modernised effect to the film. Also simple things like the old clock and the old Tv create a un-modernised effect which contrasts with the modern outlook of the camera techniques and lighting.

Mise en-scene is the composition of a shot which can be seen throughout props, positioning of characters, non verbal language, costumes, lighting, camera movements and credits. At the beginning of the first scene you have the words “Based on the true story” which appears to be in a typed white font with a black background (black usually symbolizing death and the unknown) also it has diagetic sound in the background. The true murder occurred in November 1974 however, the 2005 film has used November 13th 1974, this has created a sense of irony as 13 is usually deemed as unlucky, so what could be said is that 13 is a denotation for a date however the connotation would be that 13 is an unlucky number. The weather has been used as a theme because lightening is usually associated with fear and danger. The lightening sepia effect throughout the first 3 minutes creates this daunting feeling and intensifies the scenes also; right after the murder has been committed you get a medium long shot view of the house which has a negative effect to it giving the image of evil. The director has used a very good visual technique of the evil symbol reflected in the murderer’s eye’s giving the audience thoughts of him being possessed. When you get a blurry extra close-up image of his face you have non-diagetic sounds of whispering and evil voices this effect creates more of a possessed feel and actually emphasises the genre. The use of props in the opening is used to convey a deeper meaning i.e. the photo of the murderer as a passing graduate show’s and tells the audience he must be possessed. They have also used a convention which is of the little girl and her role in the film. They have used her because children symbolize innocence.


The narrative of The Amityville horror starts off by showing the audience what has happened and then taking them a year forward it kind of gives the effect that they are behind present time and that they are seeing the past. The audience are not able to be part of the film such as Layer cake because this film is more in-depth meaning the audience have to watch more intensely this also get’s the audience to be “on the edge of their seats” more which is the whole point of a horror film. The major themes in this film would have to be the violence and the weather. They both play a large part in this film and the violence is associated with the weather which is usually lightening. Tension is created by the music and the slow beats which may be emphasising a heart beat.

The social groups represented in the opening sequence are; the possessed murderer and the innocent little sister. A horror film always has a bad-guy and in this case it was ironically the older graduated brother living in the basement, who has been possessed by the house. The younger little sister gives the audience a sense of vulnerability and the need to help the little girl. The Characteristics of the genre are used to the full extent; it keeps the audience on edge and uses the theme of violence and weather throughout the opening.

The film has a certificate of 15 however this is not representative of the entire nation. Horror films do not appeal to everyone and if so then they are usually associated with boys and daring girls. I myself as a 16year old have no interest in horror films what so ever and especially as it is based on a true story scares me even more so. I see no thrill in being scared and on edge for an hour and a half however, I dare to see more.