“The Amityville Horror” is a 1979 American supernatural horror film. Stuart Rosenberg directed the film, which stars James Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger. The film follows a young couple who purchase a house tormented by malevolent supernatural forces. It’s based on Jay Anson’s 1977 book of the same title. The book chronicles the true story of the Lutz family, who resided in a haunted mansion in Amityville, New York, where Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered them in 1974. This film is the first in the long-running Amityville Horror film series, which was remade in 2005. The film made its international premiere at the Museum of Modern Art on July 24, 1979, and was released in theaters three days later. It was a huge financial success, generating a lot of money for its distributor, American International Pictures.
The movie tells the story of a newlywed couple and their three children who move into a big house where a mass murder happened. They start experiencing strange and scary things which affect everyone in the house.
Finding Filming Locations
For “The Amityville Horror,” the production team considered several East Coast locales, including Maine and South Carolina. Finally, they decided on Toms River, New Jersey. The producers sought to film at the actual Amityville mansion on Long Island, New York, but they were not permitted.
In August 1978, Toms River newspapers sought residents whether they would rent their homes for the film. They selected a Dutch Colonial home in Toms River and renovated it to resemble the 112 Ocean Avenue house in Amityville. The production leased this house for $12,000 and constructed a boathouse on the grounds for $31,000.
Where was actual “The Amityville Horror” Filmed?
Real Location: The real house of George and Kathleen Lutz is at 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, on Long Island’s southern shore. This house became so popular with tourists that the local mayor banned parking on the street. The town of Amityville did not like its fame and did not allow filming at the real location. The house has been changed, and the famous ‘eye’ windows have been replaced with square windows.
New Jersey, USA
The Main House: The movie and its first two sequels were filmed in New Jersey, at 18 Brooks Road, in Tom’s River. This riverside house is on the Garden State Parkway, Ocean County, about 20 miles south of Asbury Park on the coast. Unfortunately, this house has also been remodeled and moved slightly closer to the river, probably to discourage film fans from visiting.
Town Hall: The town hall, where George Lutz (James Brolin) stops in town, is the real Tom’s River Town Hall, located at 33 Washington Street.
Church of Father Delaney: ‘Our Lady of Sorrows,’ the church of Father Delaney (Rod Steiger), is St. Peter’s Church, located at 406 Forman Avenue in Point Pleasant, about 10 miles north of Tom’s River. The priests’ house is next door at 405 Forman Avenue.
Grounds Near Point Pleasant: Just west of Point Pleasant, the grounds where Father Bolen (Don Stroud) visits the sick Father Delaney are the Sunken Garden of Georgian Court University, located at 900 Lakewood Avenue, on the shore of Lake Carasaljo, in Lakewood. This estate was once the winter retreat of millionaire George Jay Gould. The estate was built by New York architect Bruce Price, who designed the three gardens that remain on the campus today: the Italian Garden, the Sunken Garden, and the Formal Garden. The bridge seen in the film is where North Lake Drive crosses a small inlet from the lake.
Los Angeles, USA
After finishing the location shooting in November 1978, the production moved to Los Angeles. They filmed the interior scenes at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studio lot. Filming ended at MGM Sound Stage 26 just before Christmas on December 22, 1978.
In summary, “The Amityville Horror” (1979) used many locations for filming. The main house scenes were shot in Toms River, New Jersey, and other scenes were filmed at various places in Toms River. After that, the production moved to Los Angeles to film the interior scenes at the MGM studios. The movie became very successful and is remembered as a classic horror film.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Amityville Horror
Q: Where Was “The Amityville Horror (1979)” Filmed?
A: The Amityville Horror (1979) was primarily filmed in New Jersey. The main house scenes were shot at 18 Brooks Road, Tom’s River, a riverside house on the Garden State Parkway in Ocean County. Additional scenes were filmed in Tom’s River Town Hall, St. Peter’s Church in Point Pleasant, and Georgian Court University in Lakewood. Filming also took place in Los Angeles.
Q: When Was “The Amityville Horror (1979)” Filmed?
A: The filming of The Amityville Horror (1979) took place mainly in 1978. The production utilized various locations in New Jersey to recreate the eerie atmosphere of the haunted house.
Q: What Is the Release Date of “The Amityville Horror (1979)”?
A: The Amityville Horror (1979) had its world premiere at the Museum of Modern Art on July 24, 1979. It received a wide theatrical release three days later, on July 27, 1979.
Q: Why Was “The Amityville Horror (1979)” Not Filmed in the Real Amityville House?
A: The real house at 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, was not used for filming because the town did not embrace its notoriety and refused permission to film there. Additionally, the house had been remodeled, and the iconic ‘eye’ windows were changed to square ones, altering its original appearance.
Q: What Other Locations Were Used in “The Amityville Horror (1979)”?
A: In addition to the main house in Tom’s River, The Amityville Horror (1979) used several other locations in New Jersey. The Tom’s River Town Hall served as a filming site, as did St. Peter’s Church and the priests’ house in Point Pleasant. Scenes were also shot at the Sunken Garden of Georgian Court University in Lakewood.
