Watch Alison's Birthday

Alison's Birthday is a supernatural horror film directed by Ian Coughlan and released in 1981. The movie is set in Australia and follows a group of friends who gather to celebrate Alison's 19th birthday. The film stars Joanne Samuel as Alison, Lou Brown as her boyfriend, and Bunney Brooke as her mother. The movie begins with Alison and her friends preparing for a birthday party at her family's mansion. Alison's mother is initially hesitant about the party, citing strange occurrences that she attributes to the ghost of Alison's deceased father. However, Alison convinces her mother to allow the party to continue, and the group starts to enjoy themselves.

As the night progresses, strange and frightening events begin to occur. Alison starts experiencing vivid nightmares, and her friends begin to see apparitions and have terrifying visions. The high point of the movie is when Alison disappears, which leads to the revelation of the dark, terrible secret that underpins Alison's birthday.

The film features an intriguing premise, casting a shadow of eerie horror over the seemingly pleasant celebrations of Alison's birthday. The suspense generated in the film is palpable, and the ambiance in the movie is just perfect, with the knowledge that something is just not right.

Coughlan's direction is focused and concise, using light, sound, and atmosphere to build tension and convey the mood of the characters. The plot twists and turns keep the audience guessing until the end.

Joanne Samuel's acting in the main role is excellent. Her character, Alison, is a typical teenage girl, caught between growing up and still clinging to childhood. As a result, she was conflicted between the obligation of asserting her independence from her mother and the duty of protection towards her friends. Moreover, the plot is enhanced by Lou Brown's performance as Greg, a loyal boyfriend and supportive friend, with whom Alison had romantic chemistry. They worked seamlessly on-screen, and I can say Joanne and Lou played their characters very convincingly.

The supporting cast, including Bunney Brooke, Heidi Ross, and Ellen Sutton, performed well, making the film a memorable experience for viewers. Each of the characters had a brief yet impressive role in bringing the story to life, from Janie's bright personality to Melissa's emotional journey.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy. The eerie lighting and the creepy ambiance perfectly complement the sense of horror and fear the narrative seeks to evoke in the audience. The use of darkness and shadows to create mystery and suspense throughout the film is impressive, and it adds to the ominous atmosphere of the movie.

In conclusion, Alison's Birthday is a well-directed, atmospheric horror film with an intriguing plot, excellent performances, and impressive cinematography. The movie maintains an air of suspense and intrigue throughout, culminating in a shocking conclusion that lingers long after the movie ends. The audiences who enjoy horror films would enjoy this film as it is a perfect example of classic supernatural horror.

Alison's Birthday is a 1981 horror movie with a runtime of 94 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.