Don't Go to Sleep (1982) Reviews

• Very good for a TV movie

  jdollak2008-04-22

  I've rated this movie higher than I would if it were theatrically released. One of the biggest problems with nearly every TV movie is pacing. Arranging the story so there is enough suspense to keep an audience through commercials tends to create awkward pacing, and this movie is no exception. But the movie has enough of a story to keep things moving forward. Direction is largely competent, except for a very poor opening credits sequence. Script is also acceptable. Characters are not especially likable, but in a story like this, that doesn't matter much. There are two scenes that especially stuck in my memory as a child; the first being the frisbee scene. The second was the pizza cutter. Given the lack of real menace in the movie, the direction was surprisingly effective in making things creepy. I only wish that made-for-TV productions kept this sort of sensibility. Entirely worth tracking down for aficionados of early 80s horror.

• This movie grabs you and doesn't let go...

  ivony2003-05-23

  I was quite young when I first saw this movie and it left a lasting impression on me to say the very least. Because of how young I was, I had a very difficult time remembering the title, but the movie itself stayed with me well into adulthood. I could only remember bits and pieces: a family of five gets into a car accident, the oldest sister does not survive, and a creepy scene with a pizza cutter running along the banister. That was about it but it was enough. Finally, I found the title of this movie (Oddly enough by searching for "death by pizza cutter" as a joke on google.com) and couldn't believe after all this time I had found it! Although this movie is obviously early 80's, the story, acting, and general creepiness has been able to withstand the test of time. Sure, there are moments of cheesiness, but that's a given for most horror/thriller movies and really only adds to the fun in watching one. I simply cannot believe this was a made for tv movie, and it's disgusting that few movies now can live up to a small flick from the 80's. There has been only one movie that was released relatively recently that came close to inspiring that same fear: Intensity. Gore and violence is not really a part of this movie. It captivates through suggestion at times, and the building up of fear and through the playing of psychological games. Honestly, this movie was INCREDIBLE. If you have the chance, SEE IT! Try not to think in terms of modern filmmaking capabilities and rather see this movie for what it was and continues to be: a creepy, thrilling horror movie. I guarantee, once this movie gets you into its clutches, it will refuse to let go. Undoubtedly 10 out of 10 stars...an incredible rating for a MFTV movie...especially one from the 80's.

• SEEK THIS OUT AND WATCH IT!!

  patrickstibbs2002-07-23

  I recently heard about this movie and found a 'collector's copy' (read: bootleg) on e-bay(it's a made-for-tv film that was never released on video). To say this movie is scary, creepy and one of the best tv movies ever made is a complete understatement. After watching it, I was stunned and totally freaked out. Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper are amazing as the parents of a little girl who keeps seeing the ghost of her dead sister, killed a year earlier in a mysterious accident (I guarantee you M. Night Shumaylan used this film as an inspiration for THE SIXTH SENSE). The scene where Weaver and Harper confront/attack each other over the death of their child is frightening and heartbreaking. That scene alone should have netted both of them an emmy, especially Harper. She's brilliant. Frightening, eerie, creepy, and very ballsy for a tv movie from 1982 (produced by Aaron Spelling!). Current television MOW writers should hang their heads in shame when they compare the current disease-of-the-week drivel they churn out with this classic ghost story (written by actor Ned Wynn, son of actor Keenan Wynn). Whoever owns the rights to this (I'm assuming ABC) please get it out on DVD or else I'M gonna start bootlegging it! The public has GOT to get this!

• The creepiest Made-For-TV movie ever!

  JoshOSU751999-05-28

  I saw this movie as a kid and was NEVER able to get it out of my mind. A dead girl, Jennifer, comes back to haunt her younger sister, Mary, and the two wreak havoc (in the form of accidents) on the rest of their family. Everyone still blames themselves for Jennifer's death while Mary seems to think that she was the only one who TRULY cared for her. The big shocker occurs as a flashback scene towards the end of the movie where we see who is really responsible for Jennifer's death. This movie makes "Made-For-TV" look extremely good! Poor Oliver Robins from "Poltergeist" fame plays yet ANOTHER brother stuck in the middle of a very unlucky family. So far, I've only seen this movie in one rental store so it IS out there somewhere.

• The TV movie that frightened me when I was small

  Playa99782001-07-20

  I've seen this eerie film back in 1986 at my aunt's house. It was unexpected at the time, I was looking for a family movie, and it turned out to be a spooky shocker. It took place in December of 1982 where a girl named Mary survived an auto accident along with her family...her sister Jennifer did not make it. Jump a year later which was initiated from the opening, poor Mary seems to be having nitemares of her deceased sister Jennifer. She even hears Jennifer calling her name through the dark. Soon enough, the late Jennifer appears under Mary's bed. The dead sister makes nocturnal visits and Mary is astounded. Later, weird sudden deaths occur in the family(I will not say the specifics). Mary may be responsible...but is Jennifer making her do it? The movie takes a number of turns toward the climax and closing credits. For years I was appalled by this movie, merely because I did not understand it. I last saw this film in 1998 on the late night movie and appreciated it even better for the slick direction and execution of the actors. It holds an intense atmosphere, because of its disguise as wonderland with Alice(Jennifer) lurking around in it. This is a well-done TV movie and should be watched if possible. Home video rental is nearly hopeless, with this film being out of production for more than a decade. Good luck.