Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)

Director:

Jack Clayton

Writers:

Ray Bradbury (novel) and
Ray Bradbury (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 April 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

After he fulfills your deepest, lifelong dream...he'll tell you the price you have to pay.

Plot:

In a small American town, a diabolical circus and its demonic proprietor prey on the townsfolk.

Plot Keywords:

Sideshow | Father Son Relationship | Reflection | Psychological Thriller | Tent

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Jason Robards	...	Charles Halloway
Jonathan Pryce	...	Mr. Dark
Diane Ladd	...	Mrs. Nightshade
Royal Dano	...	Tom Fury
Vidal Peterson	...	Will Halloway
Shawn Carson	...	Jim Nightshade
Mary Grace Canfield	...	Miss Foley
Richard Davalos	...	Mr. Crosetti
Jake Dengel	...	Mr. Tetley
Jack Dodson	...	Dr. Douglas
Bruce M. Fischer	...	Mr. Cooger
Ellen Geer	...	Mrs. Halloway
Pam Grier	...	Dust Witch
Brendan Klinger	...	Cooger as a Child
James Stacy	...	Ed, The Bartender

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:PG | France:-12 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Morrisville, Vermont, USA

Company:

Bryna Productions

Trivia:

Steven Spielberg was considered to direct this movie.

Quotes:

Mr. Dark: Then rang the bells both loud and deep. God is not dead nor doth he sleep.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Devil Fish (#10.11)" (1998)

* * *1/2 out of 4.

Two young boys (Vidal Peterson & Shawn Carson) notice the arrival of a carnival. Its owner (Jonathan Pryce) makes wishes for the town's citizens come true, but with horrifying results. Pryce knowing that the two boys know what is going on unbeknowest to the town sets about trying to hunt them down with the assistance of a dust witch (Pam Grier). However, if he is going to get the children he is going to have to go through the boy's father (Jason Robards).

Sure, it is predictable. However, it has excellent production design, original and creative special effects, and a thoughtful screenplay. Pryce turns in a scary performance. Robards captures that right balance of being brave, yet terrified. And Grier turns in a seductive, very mysterious performance that has a very commanding presence in the film even though she has very little screen time. Rather intense and scary film. The scene with Pryce ripping pages out of a book and Grier placing a spell on Robards are quite memorable.

Rated PG; Violence.