The Hearse (1980)
The PG rating is largely to blame for The Hearse's failings as a horror film, with the horror element being severely down-played resulting in what often feels like a plodding drama with soap-opera undertones.
PG horror can (and does) work, however The Hearse is unfortunately also plagued by a dull story, which on paper probably looked and sounded better than the result on screen... I mean, a film where a demonic hearse terrorises a young woman who has inherited an old house that is believed to be cursed by witchcraft; who in their right mind wouldn't want to see such a film...?!
What does pull the inanimate corpse of this film out of its grave a little are some semi-interesting dream sequences, plus the sound design, which is used to decent effect throughout. The Hearse (itself played by a 1951 Packard Funeral Coach) also looks the business, but is sadly given minimal screen time.
Unfortunately, what could have been a film in the vein of ‘The Car’ instead results in something where the PG rating terrifies more than the film itself.