One of the few classics to be topped by its remake.

Rating: 7/10 (10 September 2003)

As a Pagan, it's nice to see the christians portrayed as they sometimes are; pontificating zealots who believe no one is right but themselves; judgmental nose in the air types who have nothing for anyone outside their own closed-minded views; even their own family.
The abuse Carrie suffers at her pious mother's hands is known throughout the country as rather a common occurrence, and it forever horribly altered poor little Carrie's persona.
As a gifted teen in an oppressively religious setting, she doesn't stand a chance. Her mother's failings placed directly on the child's head; everything the mother went through; every failure, every weakness, blamed on the child.
"Satan will take you away just like he took your father!" "Oh, Mama! Everybody KNOWS he left with another woman!"
The scene where Carrie is dragged into the closet and locked inside by her mother is quite dramatic. It actually looks as though Carrie is being PULLED by her hair! It is also typical of a household in that precarious situation; living on donations made by those who'd rather pay money than listen to the zealot drone on.
The effects were quite nice, but the religious connotations of the movie really just bash you in the head until you're in danger of a coma.
Other than Sissy (Carrie)'s performance, the acting was stiff, the teenagers were portrayed by people closer to 30 and the movie really wasn't all that.
For a compelling and faithful version of this movie, see the Made4TV remake with Angela Bettis. It's a subtly better work!
This movie gets a 7.3/10 from...
the Fiend :.