When Tobe Hooper was in charge of directing Poltergeist, Spielberg was prepping for ET at the same time. Despite this, the film turned out to be one of Spielberg's best films and it showcased the director's versatility with a horror film.
The script for Poltergeist had initially been met with skepticism by JoBeth Williams, who played the lead role of Diane Freeling. The story revolves around a family whose home is haunted by malevolent spirits, which the parents try to keep from their young daughter, Carol Anne.
One scene that stands out in the film is when Diane's chair stack mysteriously appears before her. This was shot in one uninterrupted take with crew members rushing on and off set to set up the scene. The cameraman had to be strapped into a rotating set called a gimbal while filming this scene.
JoBeth has said she was terrified of getting electrocuted during a particular scene where Diane falls into a pool surrounded by real skeletons, which were added later to give more realism to the effect of wind from the huge fans. Spielberg took care of her safety concerns by wading up to his waist in water before filming this part.
For another memorable scene, JoBeth and Martin Casella played Dr Marty Casey alongside Beatrice Straight as the parapsychologist Dr Lesh. Richard Lawson and she played her assistants, with the main actor's character being one that drew malevolent energy from their surroundings. It took three hours to prepare JoBeth for this particular scene where Marty hallucinates clawing off his face in a bathroom mirror.
A notable reason some scenes were removed was due to concerns over violence content. The film went from originally intended an R rating, but the final product was made PG due to Spielberg's negotiations with ratings authorities.
In conclusion, Poltergeist stands out as one of Spielberg's best films. With great character development and standout effects, it offers a great watch for horror fans who appreciate Spielberg's range in this genre.
The script for Poltergeist had initially been met with skepticism by JoBeth Williams, who played the lead role of Diane Freeling. The story revolves around a family whose home is haunted by malevolent spirits, which the parents try to keep from their young daughter, Carol Anne.
One scene that stands out in the film is when Diane's chair stack mysteriously appears before her. This was shot in one uninterrupted take with crew members rushing on and off set to set up the scene. The cameraman had to be strapped into a rotating set called a gimbal while filming this scene.
JoBeth has said she was terrified of getting electrocuted during a particular scene where Diane falls into a pool surrounded by real skeletons, which were added later to give more realism to the effect of wind from the huge fans. Spielberg took care of her safety concerns by wading up to his waist in water before filming this part.
For another memorable scene, JoBeth and Martin Casella played Dr Marty Casey alongside Beatrice Straight as the parapsychologist Dr Lesh. Richard Lawson and she played her assistants, with the main actor's character being one that drew malevolent energy from their surroundings. It took three hours to prepare JoBeth for this particular scene where Marty hallucinates clawing off his face in a bathroom mirror.
A notable reason some scenes were removed was due to concerns over violence content. The film went from originally intended an R rating, but the final product was made PG due to Spielberg's negotiations with ratings authorities.
In conclusion, Poltergeist stands out as one of Spielberg's best films. With great character development and standout effects, it offers a great watch for horror fans who appreciate Spielberg's range in this genre.
! The way Spielberg blended horror and family drama is pure genius 
. I mean, can you even imagine having to film a scene where your character falls into a pool of skeletons? 
Talk about method acting! JoBeth Williams must've been totally committed to that role, right? 
The special effects in this film are still giving me chills today 
. And that chair stack scene is straight fire 
! Spielberg's willingness to push boundaries and take risks as a director is what makes Poltergeist such a classic 
. I'm also loving the nostalgia trip for anyone who grew up watching this film 
. All in all, Poltergeist is a masterclass in storytelling and filmmaking, even if some scenes were edited out due to ratings concerns 
#PoltergeistForever #SpielbergMastermind #HorrorClassics
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I'm down with Spielberg's versatility in making horror movies like Poltergeist, but I gotta say, some scenes are just too over-the-top for me... 
that whole skeleton pool scene? 
too much. And while it's cool to see JoBeth Williams taking safety precautions seriously, wading up to her waist in water might've been a bit much 
. The way Spielberg balanced scares with character development is still a model for horror movies 
. And Beatrice Straight is just so iconic as Dr Lesh 
, her character adds such a great layer to the story 
- it's not your typical horror film at all 
!
the special effects were crazy back then lol but what i think really sets the film apart is how it balances creepy atmosphere with super relatable characters - like Diane, played by jbeth williams, she's not your typical scream queen type, she's just a regular mom trying to protect her kid, you know? 
and that chair scene tho... still gives me chills every time. but what i love most is how sp had to compromise on the violence content - it's a testament to his ability to tell stories that scare you without losing sight of the human element. 
What's crazy is that Spielberg went above and beyond to ensure JoBeth Williams' safety during filming - talk about a dedicated director 
. I mean, JoBeth Williams was literally terrified during those scenes but Spielberg took care of her safety concerns and it shows in the final product 
