In addition to the work of studio writers, a number of science fiction writers, including Robert Silverberg, Joe Haldeman, and the Niven/Pournelle team, all working separately, were brought in and paid for alternate endings, but apparently none of those were used. Miller recruited John Hough to direct the film after seeing his previous movie, The Legend of Hell House with Roddy McDowall.When the film was pulled from theatres, several new endings were penned by various writers at Disney to substitute for the original. This script was later revised again by Gerry Day in July 1979.During filming, Ron Miller would often intervene to tone down intense scenes, leading to tension between himself and Leetch. However, Disney decided that Clemens' version was too dark and had Rosemary Anne Sisson revise it. Producer Tom Leetch pitched the project to Disney executive Ron Miller, stating that 'This could be our Exorcist.' Brian Clemens adapted the novel into a screenplay. The Watcher in the Woods is based on Florence Engel Randall's 1976 novel A Watcher in the Woods. Production information Source novel and screenplay She removes the blindfold as her mother enters the chapel. At the same time, the eclipse ends and Karen, still the same age as when she disappeared, reappears – still blindfolded. It engulfs Jan and lifts her into the air, but Jan's friend Mike Fleming ( Benedict Taylor) intercedes and pulls her away before the Watcher disappears. The Watcher then appears independently as a pillar of light, fueled by the 'circle of friendship'. Ellie explains that Karen was taken to another dimension, while an alien-like being, the Watcher, came to earth. In the chapel, something possesses Ellie and explains the accidental switch that took place 30 years ago. Jan figures out she needs to repeat the sequence through the strange possession of Ellie. They find out that the disappearance of Karen is linked to a solar eclipse. He tells her that in a seance-like ceremony, Karen disappeared after lightning struck the tower and a bell fell on top of her. Aylwood saving Jan after she falls into a pond looking at a blue circle, and ending with Jan finding a man named John, who explains that Karen did disappear, but has not died. Several strange occurrences appear, beginning with Mrs.

After seeing the reflection of the name 'Nerak' ('Karen' spelled backwards), Jan finds out about the mystery of Mrs. Eventually, Ellie goes to buy a puppy she names Nerak (an anagram of 'Karen'). Jan begins to see strange blue lights in the woods, triangles and glowing objects. Aylwood (Bette Davis), the owner of the residence, notices that Jan bears a striking resemblance to her daughter, Karen, who disappeared inside a chapel near the village 30 years previously. 7.1 Anchor Bay Entertainment release (US)Īn Anglo-American family, Helen and Paul Curtis (Carroll Baker and David McCallum) and their daughters Jan (Lynn-Holly Johnson) and Ellie (Kyle Richards), move into a manor.

Watcher in the woods