The Watcher in the Woods

This was one of the very first non-animated films Disney experimented with involving hidden occult symbolism and imagery.

The entity that lives in the woods is demonic and violent, and the film doesn't really explain what that entity truly is until you view the alternate endings included in this DVD.

The movie takes place in an old English country mansion owned by an elderly woman who lives in the cottage on the property, but rents out the mansion to a family for extra income. A mother, working father and two daughters, the eldest being the leading character in the film.

Right from the start, the entity that lives in the woods shows how violent it is by breaking windows and mirrors causing injury to one of the girls. The eldest of the two sisters keeps having visions of a blind-folded girl trapped somewhere, while the entity possesses and channels its voice through the younger sister.

As the plot unravels, the eldest of the sisters (Jan) attempts to solve the disappearance of the daughter who went missing over 30 years ago ( The elderly Property Owner's Daughter)and connect the visions she is having and why her younger sister is being possessed by this invisible and evil entity.

There are satanic séances and solar eclipses & freemason rituals that take place in an old abandoned chapel in an attempt to bring back the missing girl.

Included in this DVD release are 3 alternate endings to the film, which totally change your entire view of the movie involving what appears to be Aliens from a different dimension in the universe linked through solar eclipses of the sun.

The film itself has clearly been restored as it is has excellent picture quality. You can hardly tell it was made over 30 years ago.

Overall, this Disney film is a very Dark and Occult themed film with very adult oriented content loaded with freemason symbolism and other occult imagery. Definitely NOT something your child should watch.

Like others have already stated, I too saw this movie as a kid in the early 1980s. I can't tell you how many nights I would try to go to bed, and be too scared that the "watcher in the woods" was somehow out there just waiting to snatch me :)
This movie is seriously one of the most psychologically scary horror movies I have ever seen. I can't believe this was a Disney movie! The storyline will drag you in, and it will be impossible to forget. I am very glad to see this released on DVD. I anxiously await the deleted scenes! Even if you do not purchase this dvd, at least rent it if you have never seen it. However, no matter if you are 7 or 57, do NOT watch it alone!

The Watcher in the Woods is one of my all-time favorite movies to watch at Halloween (with Disney's Child of Glass coming in at a close second). This movie manages to be scary without all the blood and violence, making it perfect for family viewing. The story clips along at a good pace and the acting is very good. Even without all the modern special effects, the film manages to draw the viewer into the mystery of exactly who is the Watcher in the Woods?