Carrie (1976) : 10 Interesting Facts

Image Source: United Artists, Red Bank Films

“Carrie” is a classic horror film that was released in 1976. Directed by Brian De Palma and based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the movie tells the story of Carrie White, a teenage girl who possesses telekinetic powers and is bullied at school and abused at home. Over the years, the film has become a cultural icon and has inspired countless imitations and homages. Here are 10 interesting facts about “Carrie” that you might not know:

1. Playing Young

Sissy Spacek, who played Carrie, was 26 years old at the time of filming, while her co-stars were all in their late teens or early twenties. Spacek went to great lengths to look like a teenager, including wearing no makeup and dressing in plain, unflattering clothes.

2. Blood Flowith

The iconic prom scene, in which Carrie is drenched in pig’s blood, took two weeks to create and shoot and required over 11,000 gallons of fake blood. The blood was made from a mixture of corn syrup, food coloring, and water.

3. Profits

The film’s budget was only $1.8 million, which was considered low even for the time. However, the movie went on to gross over $33 million at the box office and became a huge commercial success.

4. Actresses

The role of Carrie’s mother, Margaret White, was originally offered to Anne Bancroft and Bette Davis, both of whom turned it down. Piper Laurie eventually took the part and received an Oscar nomination for her performance.

5. No Prom

The film’s famous prom scene almost didn’t happen due to budget constraints. Director Brian De Palma had to convince the studio to allocate more funds for the scene, which he considered crucial to the film’s success. In the end, the scene became one of the most iconic moments in horror movie history.

6. Travolta Discount

John Travolta, who played Billy Nolan, was paid only $2,500 for his role. This was before he became a major star with “Saturday Night Fever” and “Grease.”

7. The Music

The film’s score was composed by Pino Donaggio, who had previously worked with De Palma on “Sisters.” Donaggio’s haunting, melodic music is now considered one of the film’s defining features.

8. Practical Effects

The film’s climax, in which the high school gymnasium collapses on Carrie and her classmates, was achieved using practical effects. The set was rigged with explosives and hydraulic pumps, and the actors had to perform their stunts in a single take. (Source: Mental Floss)

9. Closure

The film’s original ending, in which Sue Snell (played by Amy Irving) visits Carrie’s grave and places flowers on it, was deemed too depressing by the filmmakers. Director Brian De Palma came up with the dream sequence ending, in which Sue has a nightmare about Carrie’s hand emerging from her grave, as a way to provide closure for the audience.

10. Adaptations

The film has been adapted into a Broadway musical, a made-for-TV movie, and a 2013 feature film remake. The original movie remains a classic of the horror genre and a testament to the power of Stephen King’s storytelling.