This is the second feature length film I've seen by director Peter Medak. I chose to watch this film based on previous good ratings I've given other films by this director and to better my favorite directors by algorithm listing.
The Changeling
This is a very different kind of film from The Ruling Class, the other Peter Medak directed film I have seen, which I consider a masterpiece. With that film, although the direction is quite skilled and is essential for the success of the film, I'm not sure if I can allow Medak to take as much credit for the success based on other factors. First of all, the script is brilliant and still would be, even with the worst presentation. Peter Barnes who wrote the original play and adapted it for the screen must be given enormous credit. More than would the case for the average screenwriter I think. Next, this film would never have been possible also without Peter O'Toole (three Peters made this movie, kind of funny), not only because his acting was absolutely the best you could imagine for the part, but also because he really worked to make sure this film got to the screen and even worked for free. I'm not sure how much work he and the producers had over Medak, but the casting of the rest of the film is so brilliant as well. Alastair Sim, Arthur Lowe, Coral Browne, William Mervyn, Nigel Green, all amazing! Now, this blog isn't supposed to be about that film, but here is my only previous impress of work associated with Peter Medak.
Now while The Ruling Class was a dark British comedy, a satire of the class system and the musical, The Changeling is a creepy American ghost story. And there is no question about Medak's abilities as a director when it comes to creepy and chilling! He's maybe the best! I was seriously creeped for most of the film. I was almost going to give this film a higher rating than I did, until after the film when I began to reflect on it more. A lot of the film didn't really add up. Things were done just for the sake of being creepy sometimes, without any real logic. I wouldn't have minded if the movie was simply creepy and illogical, but the film tried to turn itself into a mystery with its own logic. So if the film depends on that, then I'm going to hold it to it. The spiritual powers of the ghost just seem kind of arbitrary is what I'm saying here. And after reading Roger Ebert's original review from the film back when it first came out, I agree that George C. Scott's character being so stoic and without fear at any time seems like a mistake.
Over all though a great haunted house movie, especially for people who aren't as picky as me.
Peter Medak:
Total feature length films seen: 2
Previous average film score: 10
New average film score: 8.5
Rating: 7/10