The Initiation of Sarah

Kay Lenz Director: Robert Day Robert Day

Overview

In this made-for-TV shocker, a young sorority pledge (Kay Lenz) gets even for being humiliated in a hazing prank.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/21/2022
UPC:	0760137104575
Original Release:	1978
Source:	Arrow Video
Time:	1:36:00
Sales rank:	3,617

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Kay Lenz	Actor
Tony Bill	Actor
Morgan Brittany	Actor
Kathryn Grant	Actor
Morgan Fairchild	Actor
Tisa Farrow	Actor
Robert Hays	Actor
Elizabeth Stack	Actor
Shelley Winters	Actor
Talia Balsam	Actor
Doug Davidson	Actor
Michael Talbott	Actor

Technical Credits

Kenette Gfeller

Don Ingalls

Robert Day	Director
Jay Benson	Producer
Charles W. Fries	Executive Producer
Kenette Gfeller	Screenwriter
Johnny Harris	Score Composer
Tom Holland	Original Story
Don Ingalls	Screenwriter
Tony di Marco	Editor
Carol Saraceno	Original Story
Ric Waite	Cinematographer
Herman Zimmerman	Art Director

Editorial Reviews

This competently made but unimpressive made-for-television production is more interesting for its cast of future stars than its derivative story. The Initiation of Sarah takes the majority of its major plot points from Carrie, right down to the heroine's telekinetic powers, but never manages to re-create the tension or emotion of that film. Robert Day's direction keeps the plot rolling at a decent pace, but can't bring much emotional gravity to the film's by-the-numbers scenario. The best element of The Initiation of Sarah is the acting: Kay Lenz is appealing and sympathetic as the put-upon Sarah and a young Morgan Fairchild makes a suitably hissable villain as the eternally snobby Jennifer. Shelly Winters also makes a memorable impression with her over-the-top performance as Mrs. Hunter, whose sinister motivations spur the film on to its tragic finale. Despite these quality performances and some slick production values, The Initiation of Sarah fails to generate the chills that would have made it a memorable horror film. As a result, it will be of greater interest to fans of campy television than it will be to horror enthusiasts.

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