Don't Go to Sleep

I've rated this movie higher than I would if it were theatrically released. One of the biggest problems with nearly every TV movie is pacing. Arranging the story so there is enough suspense to keep an audience through commercials tends to create awkward pacing, and this movie is no exception. But the movie has enough of a story to keep things moving forward. Direction is largely competent, except for a very poor opening credits sequence. Script is also acceptable. Characters are not especially likable, but in a story like this, that doesn't matter much.

There are two scenes that especially stuck in my memory as a child; the first being the frisbee scene. The second was the pizza cutter. Given the lack of real menace in the movie, the direction was surprisingly effective in making things creepy.

I only wish that made-for-TV productions kept this sort of sensibility.

Entirely worth tracking down for aficionados of early 80s horror.

I saw this movie as a kid and was NEVER able to get it out of my mind. A dead girl, Jennifer, comes back to haunt her younger sister, Mary, and the two wreak havoc (in the form of accidents) on the rest of their family. Everyone still blames themselves for Jennifer's death while Mary seems to think that she was the only one who TRULY cared for her. The big shocker occurs as a flashback scene towards the end of the movie where we see who is really responsible for Jennifer's death. This movie makes "Made-For-TV" look extremely good! Poor Oliver Robins from "Poltergeist" fame plays yet ANOTHER brother stuck in the middle of a very unlucky family. So far, I've only seen this movie in one rental store so it IS out there somewhere.

Phillip and Laura (Dennis Weaver and Valerie Harper) and the kids, Kevin and Mary (Oliver Robins and Robin Ignico) are moving in to their new house. Surprise! Laura's peevish mother, Bernice (Ruth Gordon) has beat them there, and is already moving her belongings in, much to Phillip's exasperation!

Bernice brings more than just inconvenience along with her. She puts up pictures of Jennifer (Kristin Cumming), her older granddaughter who was lost in an accident. In no time, Mary is visited by a mysterious presence, while woo-woo music plays. Then, a near tragic "accident" occurs. This is only the beginning.

Has Jennifer returned from the grave?

If this apparent specter is to be believed, then Jennifer was one wicked child! Can death be far off? Nope. In this movie's case, it's true that no one is safe!

DON'T GO TO SLEEP is a spook-tacular, made-for-TV movie full of possible possession, ghostly goings on, and insanity. Beneath the supernatural trappings, it's also a story of guilt, remorse, and haunting memories. How does anyone move on from a tragic loss, while believing they're somehow responsible for it?

For a TV movie, this is very grim stuff! Weaver and Harper play the shattered parents well, and Ms. Gordon adds her signature gusto -with extra vinegar!- to her character. Robin Ignico is believable, and Oliver Robins pretty much reprises his POLTERGEIST role.

EXTRA CREDIT FOR: The "watermelon" and "Bathtub-blackout / pizza cutter" scenes. P.S.- Do not miss the epilogue!...

I was quite young when I first saw this movie and it left a lasting impression on me to say the very least. Because of how young I was, I had a very difficult time remembering the title, but the movie itself stayed with me well into adulthood. I could only remember bits and pieces: a family of five gets into a car accident, the oldest sister does not survive, and a creepy scene with a pizza cutter running along the banister. That was about it but it was enough.

Finally, I found the title of this movie (Oddly enough by searching for "death by pizza cutter" as a joke on google.com) and couldn't believe after all this time I had found it!

Although this movie is obviously early 80's, the story, acting, and general creepiness has been able to withstand the test of time. Sure, there are moments of cheesiness, but that's a given for most horror/thriller movies and really only adds to the fun in watching one. I simply cannot believe this was a made for tv movie, and it's disgusting that few movies now can live up to a small flick from the 80's. There has been only one movie that was released relatively recently that came close to inspiring that same fear: Intensity.

Gore and violence is not really a part of this movie. It captivates through suggestion at times, and the building up of fear and through the playing of psychological games. Honestly, this movie was INCREDIBLE. If you have the chance, SEE IT! Try not to think in terms of modern filmmaking capabilities and rather see this movie for what it was and continues to be: a creepy, thrilling horror movie. I guarantee, once this movie gets you into its clutches, it will refuse to let go. Undoubtedly 10 out of 10 stars...an incredible rating for a MFTV movie...especially one from the 80's.

Finally, i've found this movie, just by searching google with keywords ghost, daughter and shoelace :D I'm 26, and like others from my generation who've posted here, this movie somehow gave me an everlasting impression. The only two things I remember from this movie is the shoelace scene, and (Very vaguely though) a scene with a Frisbee? I could swear the name Jennifer was used in that scene, and now, looking at the cast list, I see there really was a Jeniffer character. Creepy...

I wonder why this particular movie has made such a strong impression on people of my age. To bad I don't think it's anywhere to be found. Same problem I have with Fortress (the one with the school class, and the guys with the scary masks). Another movie which I'll never forget, even though it's been well over 12 years since i've last seen it. The same goes for this movie. I've think it's 12/15 years since i've last seen it, en still, the scenes i've mentioned are like yesterday...