Still a classic film

Rating: 10/10 (1 November 2002)

This is not a slasher pic. This is a serious drama--so much so that it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. What really makes this film still chilling is the fact that there's a serious subplot about the priest (well-played by Jason Miller) doubting his faith and guilt-ridden about his mother's declining health. I suppose what I like best about this film is the positive portrayal of the priests--a practice long since eschewed in modern day, Marxist Hollywood that is hostile to Christianity (see "Priest", "Dogma", and most recently Larry David urinating on a painting of Jesus).
Another reason why this film works so well is that there are serious actors in this film: Cobb, Miller, Burnstyn, Von Sydow, not 20-something females with scanty clothing screaming constantly.
I just watched it for Halloween, and still find parts difficult to watch. This is not a slasher film. It's still a great film and holds up today, in my opinion.