Mr_Ectoplasma "The Possessed" has a priest sent on a mission to destroy evil arriving at an all girls' college where a series of inexplicable fires are occurring, some of which have injured the students. As time rolls on, it becomes clear that everything at the school is not as copacetic as it seems.What is it about '70s television horror films that is so endearing? I really don't know. I didn't even grow up in the era, but I still find a certain sort of charm and unique attention to detail in them that theatrical films of the era didn't always offer, and "The Possessed" is another example to be added to this list.Often viewed as a TV riff on "The Exorcist," "The Possessed" is actually incredibly different, specifically in its explicitness, as well as its treatment of evil. As Father Leahy tells one of the female students in the film, sometimes evil just appears without any rhyme or reason, and to think that our actions are what bring it about is not only inaccurate, but foolish.It is this approach that the film takes which is certainly unusual— the very nature of the evil forces in question are incredibly vague, and remain so. These forces are visually represented (or rather, manifested) through the random fires that are occurring on the school campus, and the treatment of these scenes is surprisingly unnerving and bizarre. There are also some unusual meditations on student-teacher relationships and the sexualized politics of academia that sometimes take center stage as the film's central drama— however, they may or may not be inconsequential to the supernatural events occurring at the school.The film was shot at Reed College in Portland, Oregon— an area I grew up near— and there is a hazy, foggy look to the entire film that is effective and establishes an appropriate level of gloom. The film's conclusion is a bit brisk (perhaps too brisk), but for a television film from the '70s, is entirely forgivable. Overall, a noble and understated effort that captures the charm of '70s television films while reaching considerable heights on the creep-o-meter. Also worth checking out for its top-notch cast— Joan Hackett, Claudette Nevins, and James Farentino head the cast. Also some great early performances from P.J. Soles (who filmed "Halloween" the following year), Diana Scarwid, and Harrison Ford, who, three weeks after "The Possessed"'s air date, would only forever be known as Han Solo. 8/10.

cmcastl I find nothing less scary than modern vampire movies or slasher films. I do not waste my time with them. We can't have for my taste enough horror films which are Omen-esque. Or, as suggested in the reviews here, along the lines of the Exorcist. That is, horror films which have at their core a metaphysical struggle between Good and Evil, which is what the drama plays out. I agree with most of the previous reviewers on most of their points. The one point on which I would venture to disagree and which has prompted me to add this contribution is that the very reason that the evil is unexplained is what I find philosophically fascinating about this film.Farentino plays a priest who has lost his faith or is on his way to losing it. Is he a lost soul literally returned from the dead to redeem himself in some way? His backstory is pleasingly kept unclear. I agree with how creepy the finale is with Joan Hackett's character literally spitting nails. But the creepiest moment in the film for me, and what lingers in my memory, is when Farentino's priest is asked why this evil is happening? He responds there is no reason why to Evil. Evil just is. Evil just happens. Whether or not I agree with it, and I am not saying I do, as a premise that for me is one of the most genuinely chilling moments and revelations not just in this but in all the supernatural films I have seen.Psychological/philosophical horror is the scariest horror of all. This film is a minor gem of supernatural horror for the discerning.Pity it was a pilot never picked up.

Lee Eisenberg "The Possessed" is better than you might expect, mainly due to the absence of gore and shocks (since this is a TV movie, they didn't even get to show any nudity). The recently deceased James Farentino plays a priest investigating strange occurrences in a girls' school in Salem, Oregon. One of the most famous things about the movie nowadays is that it was probably Harrison Ford's final role before he became known as Han Solo. But like I said, the emphasis on suspense rather than gore and special effects strengthens the movie. The last ten minutes turn out to be the really creepy part of the movie. It's definitely worth seeing if you get a chance. Also starring Joan Hackett, P.J. Soles (Norma in "Carrie") and Diana Scarwid (Christina in "Mommie Dearest").

slayrrr666 "The Possessed" isn't that bad but does have some problems.**SPOILERS**After narrowly avoiding death, Minister Kevin Leahy, (James Farentino) is assigned to fight evil in all it's forms. The students at the Helen Page Girls School, all ready to graduate in a short manner of time, soon start experiencing weird phenomena, as all sorts of objects on campus start bursting into flame for no reason. After meeting Leahy, Ellen Sumner, (Claudette Nevins) a teacher at the school decides to take over the investigation. Questioning staff members Mrs. Louise Gelson, (Joan Hackett) and Paul Winjam, (Harrison Ford) for possible explanations, he comes up empty but the strange events continue. Finally discovering that a source of evil rather than student Weezie, (Ann Dusenberry) that is causing the fires, the remaining students race to stop it from spreading through the school while he deals with his own demons from the past.The Good News: This one wasn't that bad and had some great moments. The film's at it's best when it goes for the shock moments, and these are mainly the sudden fire-spouts. They come out of nowhere and show no consistency, neither in source or intensity. From having a paper catch fire inside a typewriter, which itself is a marvelously spooky concept, to having a dorm room, then a pant's leg and soon afterward, human targets themselves, spontaneously combust out of nowhere and really manage to get some effective shocks out them. The first human target is the biggest example, as the site of the person going up in flames and the placement of where we see it starting from is a great idea and really one of the better ideas yet. The finale is one of it's highlights, as the culmination of a possessed victim and the need for an exorcism come into play, which is quite new and comes out of nowhere, allow it really let fly with the horror conventions, including the hurling of numerous foreign objects that aren't really seen before, giving them a real sense of this trying new things. The objects used during the possession are regular items expected during this kind of scene, and they make it all the more memorable. Combine that with one of the most extensive fire stunts possible and it just becomes all the more creative. It's a really unique vision and comes across spectacularly. The film's other big improvement is that it successfully manages to throw the red herring into the mix as for what the explanation is. While there's tons of speculation offered and some evidence, it's never accepted as a reason and never really brought up, though this is done in a great way. It's hinted at and offered evidence for, but isn't in any way conclusive and really does seem possible. That's a great compliment and works well for the film.The Bad News: There's a few problems with this one. One of the biggest ones is that this one here has no real explanation for what's going on. Nothing is uttered about why the events are going on at the school, and this is even pointed out by the characters themselves. For all the time spent investigating and looking for clues, this one doesn't even put one explanation out there as a possible reason. That there's not even a possible one offered is a little confusing, since this could've been all the creepier had something been offered for what was causing it. Another really big flaw is the constant scenes of investigation or of the girls in their dorm doing nothing. These simply stretch the film out far longer than it should be and makes them seem like padding. While it's necessary for the introduction to take place, putting it into the middle of the film just makes it seem a little unnecessary and way too much like time was being taken up, not a great move for a film. The last big problem stems from it's feel, as there's an obvious touch to make this a real omnipresent danger around the film, yet it just comes across as a series of isolated incidents without much behind them. It's a great idea, but there's a sense that it's building to a huge payoff and the one received is acceptable, but not as grand as it was building to. This is what hurts the film the most.The Final Verdict: While there's some good stuff here, there's some nagging problems that do hold this one back. Give it a try if it's something potentially interesting, but those expecting a big supernatural thriller like the time-period will be disappointed.Rated UN/R: Violence and some Language