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The House of Dies Drear

  • TV Movie
  • 19841984
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
199
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
The House of Dies Drear (1984)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
A young black man and his family move into a home in rural Ohio, and discover that during the Civil War it was used by a Dutch immigrant to smuggle runaway slaves to freedom. Soon they begin... Read allA young black man and his family move into a home in rural Ohio, and discover that during the Civil War it was used by a Dutch immigrant to smuggle runaway slaves to freedom. Soon they begin to suspect that the ghosts of slaves who passed through there are haunting the house.A young black man and his family move into a home in rural Ohio, and discover that during the Civil War it was used by a Dutch immigrant to smuggle runaway slaves to freedom. Soon they begin to suspect that the ghosts of slaves who passed through there are haunting the house.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
199
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Allan A. Goldstein
  • Writers
    • Virginia Hamilton(book)
    • Richard Wesley(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Howard E. Rollins Jr.
    • Shavar Ross
    • Gloria Foster
Top credits
  • Director
    • Allan A. Goldstein
  • Writers
    • Virginia Hamilton(book)
    • Richard Wesley(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Howard E. Rollins Jr.
    • Shavar Ross
    • Gloria Foster
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos

    The House of Dies Drear (1984)
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    Top cast

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    Howard E. Rollins Jr.
    Howard E. Rollins Jr.
    • Walter Smallas Walter Small
    Shavar Ross
    Shavar Ross
    • Thomas Smallas Thomas Small
    Gloria Foster
    Gloria Foster
    • Sheila Smallas Sheila Small
    Moses Gunn
    Moses Gunn
    • River Lewis Darrowas River Lewis Darrow
    Clarence Williams III
    Clarence Williams III
    • Mayhew Skinneras Mayhew Skinner
    Joe Seneca
    Joe Seneca
    • Plutoas Pluto
    Frances Foster
    • Great-Grandmother Jeffersas Great-Grandmother Jeffers
    Hardee T. Lineham
    Hardee T. Lineham
    • Edgar Carras Edgar Carr
    Tichina Arnold
    Tichina Arnold
    • Pestyas Pesty
    Kadeem Hardison
    Kadeem Hardison
    • Mac Darrowas Mac Darrow
    Hank Ross
    Hank Ross
    • Wilbur Darrowas Wilbur Darrow
    Eugene Clark
    Eugene Clark
    • River Ross Darrowas River Ross Darrow
    Gene Mack
    • Russell Darrowas Russell Darrow
    Richard Mills
    • Kenneth Smallas Kenneth Small
    Alan Rose
    • Bounty Hunteras Bounty Hunter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Allan A. Goldstein
    • Writers
      • Virginia Hamilton(book)
      • Richard Wesley(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A young black man and his family move into a home in rural Ohio, and discover that during the Civil War it was used by a Dutch immigrant to smuggle runaway slaves to freedom. Soon they begin to suspect that the ghosts of slaves who passed through there are haunting the house. —Anonymous
    • slave
    • house
    • ghost
    • supernatural power
    • mother son relationship
    • 22 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The film is slightly different in contrast with the book of the same name: Thomas only has one brother (Kenneth) in the film when in the book, he had twin brothers (Billy and Buster); the setting of the film is obviously set in modern times (probably for budget constraints), when in the book it took place in the late-sixties; and certain scenes - straight out of the novel - are rearranged in the film to transpire differently rather than just happen all at once. Aside from these minor differences, the film does follow the novel closely.
    • Quotes

      Thomas Small: Did you know about these caverns, too?

      Mayhew Skinner: No. Not until about a week ago... when my father decided he was mortal like the rest of us... and thought it time to tell me.

    • Connections
      Spoofs Night of the Living Dead (1968)

    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    A bizarre movie, but enjoyable
    This is a very strange movie with elements of history, some comedy and horror. I remembered being scared of it as a kid, and as an adult I can still appreciate this film.

    It's basically the story of a family moving into a historic house that was owned by Dies Drear, an abolitionist who hid slaves and helped them escape. There is also a rumored treasure hidden somewhere on the land. The family is haunted in the house and meet a strange man who seems to know many of the secrets of the house.

    It's a great film. Very clean with some pretty scary elements. No blood and guts and no bad language. It's educational too.
    helpful•16
    2
    • mrdewoody
    • Aug 20, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1998 (Germany)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Wo das Grauen lauert
    • Production company
      • Children's Television Workshop (CTW)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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