The Appointment (1982)

Director: Lindsey C. Vickers

Starring: Edward Woodward, Jane Merrow, Samantha Weysom

Walking through some woods a girl is seized by an unseen malevolent force. The authorities erect an iron fence around the woods. Later, another girl and her family are affected by the same force. First in dreams and then in more real ways.

Three years ago, the 12-year old Sandy Freemont disappeared after taking a shortcut through the woods. The mystery is yet to be solved.

‘The Appointment’ is an interesting film. There are supernatural elements, but very subtle. Then there are the creepy dogs. One never really knows whether they are related, but both forces are frightening in their own right.

The film also contains family drama, with Ian (Edward Woodward) having to leave town for an appointment on the same day of his daughter, Joanne’s first classical concert. Joanne is upset when she realizes he will miss the concert, and throughout the evening she keeps nagging him about it. There are suggestive moments that makes one believe Ian fooled around with his daughter, or still is, but this never surfaces.

Some scenes linger on purpose to create an unnerving suspense I haven’t felt in a movie in a while. Ian’s sleepless night before he had to leave, was incredibly suspenseful – thanks to clever photography and editing. That night – which seemed to go on forever (in a good way!) – had me on the edge of my seat.

Soon we realize his dreams were actually a premonition, with Ian’s fate being sealed. ‘The Appointment’ is a horror movie without blood, guts and gore, but it is horrifying in a psychological sense – and creepy as hell. You have to read between the lines to fully understand it, though. There’s more going on here than you might think.

Would I watch it again? Yes.