The Sentinel

The Sentinel is a 1977 American supernatural horror film directed by Michael Winner, and starring Cristina Raines, Chris Sarandon, Ava Gardner, Burgess Meredith, Sylvia Miles and Eli Wallach. The plot focuses on a young model who moves into a historic Brooklyn brownstone that has been sectioned into apartments, only to find that the building is owned by the Catholic diocese and is a gateway to Hell. It is based on the 1974 novel of the same name by Jeffrey Konvitz, who also co-wrote the screenplay with director Winner. It also features Christopher Walken, Jeff Goldblum, John Carradine, Jerry Orbach, Tom Berenger, Nana Visitor and Beverly D'Angelo in supporting roles. The film was released by Universal Pictures in 1977. Plot Alison Parker, a fashion model with a history of suicide attempts due to childhood trauma, moves into a historic Brooklyn Heights brownstone. The top floor apartment is occupied by a blind priest, Father Halliran, who spends his time sitting at his open window. Soon after moving in, Alison begins having strange physical problems, including fainting spells and insomnia, and hears noises. She meets her odd new neighbors, including the eccentric, elderly Charles Chazen, and lesbian couple Gerde and Sandra, becoming disturbed when Sandra masturbates in front of her. She also attends a bizarre birthday party for Chazen's cat. When Alison complains to the rental agent Miss Logan, she is told that the building is occupied only by Halliran and her. Alison's lawyer boyfriend Michael contacts his corrupt detective friend Brenner to investigate. One night, Brenner goes to Alison's building, while inside she encounters the animated corpse of her deceased father. She escapes by stabbing him and is hospitalized with a nervous breakdown. Police detectives Gatz and Rizzo investigate; clues lead them to suspect that Michael murdered his wife after she refused to leave him, so he could marry Alison. They find Brenner's stabbed body; clues suggest Alison might have murdered him. They also find that the people Alison claimed she saw at the cat's birthday party are all deceased murderers.