Burnt Offerings (film)

Burnt Offerings is a 1976 mystery horror film based on the 1973 novel of the same name by Robert Marasco. Directed by Dan Curtis, the film stars Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis, Lee H. Montgomery, Eileen Heckart, and Burgess Meredith. The story concerns a family who moves into an old house that regenerates itself by means of feeding off the life force of any occupant that is injured or in pain. Other family members are all killed off, with the survivor awaiting a new family. While the film received mixed reviews from critics, it won several awards in 1977. Originally set on Long Island, the movie moves the action to California and was the first movie to be filmed at Dunsmuir House, Oakland, California.

Various unusual circumstances occur during the summer While playing in the pool, Ben almost drowns Davey a gas heater in Daveys bedroom is mysteriously turned on itself and the windows closed on their own accord Ben is haunted by a dream and a waking vision of an eerie, grinning, malevolent chauffeur whom he first saw at his mothers funeral many years earlier. With each accident, the house regenerates itself. Initially unknown to her family, Marian is becoming possessed by the spirit of the house. When Aunt Elizabeth suddenly takes ill and dies, Marian does not attend the funeral. She steps into a previously barren room with halfdead flowers only to discover a beautiful, ornate garden. Upon returning home from the funeral, Ben confronts Marian, who retreats to the room outside the bedroom of Mrs. Allardyce. Ben angrily confronts her about her obsession with the home and what the home is doing to their family. When she denies it, he reveals to her his intentions of leaving the next day, with or without you. Ben sleeps in an armchair in his sons room but awakens to the sound of old shingles falling off the house. Looking out the window he sees that the house is rejuvenating itself. He attempts to escape with his son but a tree blocks the road. When Marian drives them back to the house Ben accuses her of being a part of what is going on, and then sees her as the chauffeur, and becomes catatonic. The next day, while Davey is swimming and a still catatonic Ben is watching him, the placid pool turns into angry, vicious waves, pulling the boy under as Ben is unable to move. Marian frantically saves her son, and the incident awakens Ben out of his catatonic state although he was unable to move to save Davey. Marian agrees that its time to leave.As Ben readies his family to leave, Marian decides to go back inside to tell Mrs. Allardyce they are leaving. When she fails to return to the car Ben goes inside to get her, but cannot find her. Ben decides to confront Mrs. Allardyc

Source: Wikipedia