Review - The Sentinel (1977)

The Sentinel provides yet another example of the saying “If it seems too good to be true . . .

. . . it probably is.”

Emotionally disturbed model, Alison Parker (Cristina Raines), decides that she needs to live on her own before she can marry curiously slimy, lawyer boyfriend Michael Lerman (Chris Sarandon). As she looks at apartments she finally settles on one that should be out of her price range but, of course it is not (it would’ve been a very short movie if it had been). It is fully furnished and seems to have great neighbors –well at least at first glance.

As her neighbors begin to show their true colors, Christina seems to grow more and more weak and distressed. Michael, being the concerned boyfriend that he is hires an equally slimy private investigator to check out the apartments. After the PI ends up murdered things really start to come to a head as Michael learns of the church’s involvement in this creepy old building – and of their plans for Alison.

I truly enjoyed this film. This could be due to the fact that I am strangely enamored with the use of real live Freaks in film. The ending scenes in the film contained a grouping of Freaks that were collected from carnivals by casting assistants. This is better than any CGI effects of today. It is really . . . well . . . freaky, if you will.

It’s a bit of a slow moving thriller, but definitely worth the investment. With Burgess Meredith playing a convincingly docile old man with the worst of intentions, a young Christopher Walken in one of his first roles and Beverly D’Angelo playing a masturbating ballerina this film offers something for everyone. A definite recommend – especially for fans of 70’s horror or of Freaks in film in general.

Directed by:
Michael Winner

Writing credits:
(in alphabetical order)
Jeffrey Konvitz also novel
Michael Winner

Cast (in credits order) verified as complete:
Chris Sarandon ... Michael Lerman
Cristina Raines ... Alison Parker
Martin Balsam ... Prof. Ruzinsky
John Carradine ... Fr. Francis Matthew Halloran
José Ferrer ... Priest of the Brotherhood
Ava Gardner ... Miss Logan
Arthur Kennedy ... Monsignor Franchino
Burgess Meredith ... Charles Chazen
Sylvia Miles ... Gerde Engstrom
Deborah Raffin ... Jennifer
Eli Wallach ... Det. Gatz
Christopher Walken ... Det. Rizzo
Jerry Orbach ... Michael Dayton
Beverly D'Angelo ... Sandra
Hank Garrett ... James Brenner
Robert Gerringer ... Hart
Nana Visitor ... Girl at end (as Nana Tucker)
Tom Berenger ... Man at end
William Hickey ... Perry
Gary Allen ... Malcolm Stinnett
Tresa Hughes ... Rebecca Stinnett
Kate Harrington ... Anna Clark
Jane Hoffman ... Lilian Clotkin
Elaine Shore ... Emma Clotkin
Sam Gray ... Dr. Aureton
Reid Shelton ... Priest
Fred Stuthman ... Mr. Parker
Lucie Lancaster ... Mary Parker
Anthony Holland ... Party host
Jeff Goldblum ... Jack
Zane Lasky ... Raymond
Mady Kaplan ... Alice Marshak (student) (as Mady Heflin)
Diane Stilwell ... Brenner's secretary (as Diane Stillwell)
Ron McLarty ... Real estate agent

rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joe Hamer ... Detective (uncredited)
Ronald Hunter ... Assistant to Michael Dayton (uncredited)
Charles Kimbrough ... Hospital doctor (uncredited)
Bob Melvin ... Background scary person (uncredited)
Vicki Michelle ... Girl on TV (uncredited)