Poltergeist III
| Poltergeist III | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster for Poltergeist III | |
| Directed by | Gary Sherman |
| Written by | Steve Feke Gary Sherman Brian Taggert |
| Produced by | Barry Bernardi |
| Starring | Tom Skerritt Nancy Allen Heather O'Rourke Zelda Rubinstein Lara Flynn Boyle |
| Cinematography | Alex Nepomniaschy |
| Edited by | Ross Albert |
| Music by | Joe Renzetti |
| Distributed by | MGM |
Release dates | June 10, 1988 |
Running time | 98 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | German/English |
| Budget | ~ $10,500,000 |
Poltergeist III is a 1988 horror film sequel to Poltergeist.
Plot
Template:Spoiler Apparently, between the second and third films, the Freeling family has had quite enough of all supernatural activity, and have decided to cut it off at the source: Carol Anne is now living with her aunt Pat (whom Carol Anne insists on calling Trish, a common nickname for Patricia; this is important later in the film as a way of identifying an imposter Carol Anne) and uncle Bruce Gardner. Along with Donna, who is Bruce's daughter from a previous marriage, they live in the luxury skyscraper of which Bruce is the manager. Pat is the sister of Diane, Carol Anne's mother. Carol Anne has been told she is in Chicago temporarily to attend a unique school for gifted children (though Pat thinks it's because Steve and Diane just wanted Carol Anne out of their house...for reasons that become apparent as this film progresses).
It's been a few years, but Kane indeed has found Carol Anne and takes his rage out on the immense building, usually in the form of mechanical failures. He also manages to kidnap and possess Donna and her boyfriend Scott. They embark on a murderous rampage, seemingly killing both Tangina (the diminutive psychic from the first two films; she is actually captured with a fake decomposed body left behind) and the proctor of Carol Anne's school, Dr. Seaton, who thinks Carol Anne is just putting on a huge act. This marks the first time the Beast has actually claimed lives in the series.
The ending is somewhat unclear, but Tangina manages to convince Kane to go into the Light with her. The final shot of the film does make clear that Kane was not defeated; we see a long shot of the building, and then lightning hits it. We then hear Kane's laugh. Template:Endspoiler
Cast
- Heather O'Rourke - Carol Anne Freeling
- Tom Skerritt - Bruce Gardner
- Nancy Allen - Patricia Wilson-Gardner
- Lara Flynn Boyle - Donna Gardner
- Zelda Rubinstein - Tangina Barrons, Clairvoyant
- Nathan Davis - Reverend Henry Kane
- Corey Burton - Reverend Henry Kane (voice only, uncredited)
- Richard Fire - Dr. Seaton
Trivia
- Director Gary Sherman thought the idea having the setting in the city was just as scary as isolated suburbia. His feeling was that there are people on the other side of the wall, and no one cares that you are in trouble. (source: E: True Hollywood Story: Curse of Poltergeist)
- Heather O' Rourke died before the film was released.
- Although the daughters boyfriend was pulled in he is not one of the people saved at the end of the movie.
See also
- Poltergeist: The Legacy
- Poltergeist
- Stigmatized property
- Night Skies (aborted Spielberg film)
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
External links
- Poltergeist III at IMDb
- Noise and Talk - Philosophical essay about Poltergeist and television by Johannes Grenzfurthner of monochrom.
- Poltergeist III fansite