03/01/2026 Guest Review! Sue Rovens Movie Night-The Initiation of Sarah (1978)
- Candace Nola
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Today, Sue is back with another oldie but goodie movie review!
The Initiation of Sarah (1978)
By Sue Rovens
What do Kay Lenz, Shelley Winters, Morgan Fairchild, and Robert Hays have in common aside from being some of the big names of the day (in the latter half of the 70s)? Being featured in a made-for-TV movie about two sisters, telekinesis, bullies, sororities, and Hell Week.
The tagline reads: An innocent co-ed, a secret sorority, its bizarre rites of womanhood... Suddenly, a quiet college campus is plunged into an endless night of terror! (IMDb)
How could anyone not be intrigued?? (lol)
Okay, realistically, if anyone were to watch this film today (and had not seen it during its original run), it’s going to be problematic on several levels. Yes, there’s misogyny, bullying, man-splaining, and a cacophony of other behaviors that are no longer ‘acceptable’ (nor should be). BUT, having been set in 1978, a viewer should keep in mind that this was common behavior, standard operating procedure, and not too far from the ordinary.
The film itself is a great study regarding sisterhood – in sororities, in families, and in friendship. The story follows two sisters, Patty, the popular one, and Sarah, who is shy and reserved. They end up going their separate ways for the very first time when they enter college. The popular sister gets into the “best” sorority (ANS), while Sarah has only one acceptance – from the worst sorority on campus. From there, it’s a battle – between rival sororities and between housemates. Shelley Winters, who plays the house mother of PED (the worst sorority), has her own agenda and leads the handful of young women down a dark and treacherous path.
It’s glorious, wacky, old-school, and everything you could possibly want in a made-for-TV movie from the 70s. If you’re looking for a film that features 70s retribution, good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and has a great cast of believable characters, look no further.
Recommended for those who love comeuppance stories, sorority tales, college settings, YA (college), 70s movies, Shelley Winters chewing the scenery.
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