Leslie Massey
The 1982 film Poltergeist is a horror classic that revolves around a family whose perfect suburban home becomes the target of a ghostly invasion. The film has received several ratings, including PG-13, PG, and R, with some sources claiming that the MPAA's decision to rate it PG was influenced by a pressure campaign involving prominent figures. In Australia, the film is available to stream on Apple TV, but its rating in the country is unclear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Original rating by the MPAA | R |
| Rating after appeal | PG |
| Current rating | PG-13 |
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What You'll Learn
Poltergeist's original R rating
The 1982 film Poltergeist is considered a classic horror movie. It was directed by Tobe Hooper and written and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film centres on a family whose home is invaded by ghosts.
Poltergeist was originally rated R by the MPAA. However, following a pressure campaign involving Spielberg, MGM, and MPAA boss Jack Valenti, the film was rated PG on appeal. This was before the PG-13 rating was introduced.
The film contains several scenes that may be considered frightening or disturbing, including scary shadows, monsters in the closet, a character ripping the flesh from their face, and a malevolent tree that attacks a child. There is also some mild language, drug use, and drinking.
Despite the original R rating, some viewers consider Poltergeist to be more of a family-friendly scary movie. The film has been praised for its strong cast, well-written characters, and compelling storyline.
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The campaign for a PG rating
Poltergeist is a classic 1980s horror film, widely considered to be one of the scariest movies of the decade. The film centres on a family whose "perfect" suburban home becomes the target of a ghostly invasion. The film features several disturbing scenes, including one in which a character tears the flesh from his face, and another in which a young girl is sucked into her closet.
Despite the film's frightening content, it was originally rated R by the MPAA. However, a pressure campaign led by director Steven Spielberg, MGM, and MPAA boss Jack Valenti successfully lobbied to have the rating changed to PG on appeal. This campaign was motivated by financial interests, as a PG rating would attract a wider audience and, therefore, result in higher profits. This was before the PG-13 rating existed, and many argue that Poltergeist was instrumental in the creation of this new rating category.
In defence of the PG rating, some argue that the film is not overly gory or violent, and that the scares are not excessive. Additionally, the film has been praised for its strong female characters and well-written characters overall, which some may consider to be positive influences for young viewers.
However, critics of the PG rating argue that the film traumatised children who were allowed to watch it due to the seemingly harmless rating. The film features several intense and emotionally scary moments, including the infamous scene of a malevolent tree attacking a young boy, which may be disturbing for younger audiences.
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The film's scary elements
In Australia, the film Poltergeist is rated M, which stands for "mature audiences." This rating indicates that the film is not recommended for children under 15 years of age due to its scary elements and supernatural themes. The rating is similar to those given to horror films in other countries, indicating that the content may be disturbing for younger viewers.
The film Poltergeist is renowned for its effective use of scary elements that contribute to a chilling and unnerving viewing experience. One of the primary scary elements is the film's depiction of a haunted house and the supernatural events that transpire within it. The Freeling family's home, which is situated on a former cemetery, becomes a hotbed of paranormal activity. Objects move on their own, strange voices are heard, and furniture rearranges itself, creating a sense of unease and unpredictability.
The film also features intense scenes of supernatural attacks, where the poltergeist entity physically harms the characters. The scene where the young daughter, Carol Anne, is pulled into the supernatural realm through a portal in her closet is particularly disturbing. The use of practical effects and convincing performances enhances the realism of these scenes, making them even more frightening for viewers.
The sound design and musical score of Poltergeist also contribute to the overall scariness of the film. Eerie sound effects, such as strange whispers and unnerving creaks and knocks, build a sense of tension and foreboding. The iconic theme music, composed by Jerry Goldsmith, is both haunting and memorable, adding to the sense of dread that permeates the film.
Another scary element in Poltergeist is the exploration of the dark side of the supernatural. The film delves into the idea of a malevolent force that feeds on the negative energy of the dead, causing it to lash out and terrorize the living. This concept, coupled with the intense special effects and makeup used to create otherworldly apparitions, creates a sense of terror that lingers even after the film ends.
The impact of the scary elements in Poltergeist is also heightened by the film's exploration of family dynamics and the protection of children. The threat to the Freeling family, especially the vulnerable and innocent children, creates a sense of emotional investment in the characters' survival. This combination of effective storytelling, strong performances, and well-crafted horror elements has ensured that Poltergeist remains a seminal work in the horror genre, continuing to frighten and fascinate audiences even decades after its release.
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Poltergeist's female characters
The 1982 film Poltergeist is considered a classic horror film and is known for its strong female characters. The film was directed by Tobe Hooper and written by Steven Spielberg, Michael Grais, and Mark Victor. It stars JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, and Beatrice Straight and was produced by Spielberg and Frank Marshall.
The film focuses on the Freeling family, who live in a California suburb and experience strange and creepy happenings when their home is invaded by ghosts. The female characters in the film include:
- Diane Freeling (played by JoBeth Williams), the mother of the family. She is not a generic damsel in distress and takes an active role in trying to rescue her daughter Carol Anne from the spirits.
- Carol Anne Freeling (played by Heather O'Rourke), the youngest daughter of the family who is abducted by the ghosts. She is described as having a stark blond doll-like appearance and big inquisitive eyes, which captivated audiences.
- Dana Freeling (played by Dominique Dunne), the older sister of Carol Anne.
- Tangina Barrons (played by Zelda Rubinstein), a spiritual medium who is called in to help investigate the poltergeist activity.
The film also features a parapsychologist, Martha Lesh, who arrives with her team to investigate the ghostly presence in the Freeling home.
Overall, Poltergeist is known for its strong female characters, who take an active role in the story and are not portrayed as helpless victims.
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Streaming Poltergeist in Australia
The 1982 film Poltergeist is considered a horror classic. Directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, the film centres on a family whose "perfect" suburban home becomes the target of a ghostly invasion. The film is known for its strong female characters and compelling storyline.
In Australia, the film is available to stream on Apple TV, where you can either rent or buy the movie and watch it on any linked device. You can also stream the film on YouTube, Google TV, Foxtel, and Prime Video Store.
The 2015 remake of the film, also produced by Spielberg, is available to stream on YouTube, Stan, Google TV, Apple TV Store, Prime Video Store, and MGM+ on Prime.
The film touches on themes that may be frightening to children and adults, including scary shadows, monsters in the closet, and separation from family. It also features some violent and gruesome scenes, such as a character ripping the flesh from their face. However, it is considered to be not overly gory or violent.
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