Customer Reviews

The Haunting

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I first watched part of this movie when I was 10 (when it first came on TV). I only got to the part where the woman falls down the stairs then my father had to turn the television channel for fear of my hysterical reaction. For decades I thought the movie was called "Hill House". When I finally saw the movie in total it still held the increasing suspense and mystery that makes it a classic. This movie should NEVER be put into colour and is best seen in a basement with all the lights off.

HIll House has been standing empty for almost 90 years. Whipsers of strange phenomena have kept would-be ocupants away for a long time; not even the owners will live their. That is, until Dr. John Markway assembles a small team to invesitgate the supposed supernatural events of the house. He invites Theodora, a psychic who lives a very different lifestyle; Eleanor, a sheltered young woman who recently lost her canterkaerous mother and has had experienece with poltergeist phenomena; and Luke Sanderson, soon to inherit Hill House and acting as the family's representative. Together, they begin to study the house, it's history and architecture. Or, has the house chosen one of the team for its own purposes?

Horror film director Robert Wise does a magnificent job with this adaptation of the Shirley Jackson novel. Very few visual effects are used, instead relying on lighting (the one scene with the wallpaper in Eleanor's room is eerie), atmosphere, sound and the viewers own fear to create a creepingly chilling film. They make the viewer feel like actors in the movie instead of bystanders. All the actors give fine performances: Clair Bloom as Theo, Russ Tamblyn as Luke, and Richard Johnson as Dr. Markway. But, Julie Harris' performance of Eleanor makes the film. Her almost childlike confusion, fear and determination to stay the course keep you enrapt in the film.

It's very refreshing to see a horror film that doesn't rely so much on expensive special effects to get the chills across, instead using acting, lighting and story to convey terror and fright. This is a classic horror film that still delivers to this day.

Most people see the remake and won't bother with this one, but this film is really truely pure horror unlike the remake, one of the scarest films ever made, it also tells a classic story of a repressed women and a house that makes her lose her mind, the film is so much more than all of that though, it has all the events timed perfectly as it keeps bulding more and more untill the frightning conclution, If you're a true horror fan give this one a shot, you'll love it.

The original 1960's version of The Haunting, still manages to run circles around the dopey 1999 remake, even though it had little to no special effects or gore. Indeed, director Robert Wise's take on author Shirley Jackson's novel, remains an all time favorite haunted house film of mine. Rather than flood the viewer's senses with what Wise sees as "scary", he allows our fears and imagination of what might be out there to push the story forward. By the time of the big reveal at the end, so much tension has been built in, that the ending is much more effective and satisfying.

After her mother's recent death-and driven by a total belief in the supernatural, Eleanor Vance (Julie Harris) deciedes to join an expedition to explore Hill House, a New England mansion. She's invited there by anthropologist Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson), along with the bohemian exotic Theodora (Claire Bloom), who has extrodinary extra-sensory abilities, and a stuck up playboy Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn) who will inherit Hill House if it is clean of any strange goings on. As you might imagine, strange things start to happen, shortly after the group arrives.

The character's fears (as well as our own) propel the film. The scares in the movie are driven by the mind. Screenwriter Nelson Gidding crafted a fine adaptation, that along with Wise's atmosheric touches, and a fine ensemble, allows for a fun film watching experience.

Happily the DVD has a great audio commentary with Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn, director Robert Wise, and screenwriter Nelson Gidding. Each of whom, offer some fine stories about the making of the film and bring a unique perspective to the track. For someone who has been around awhile as a director, Wise still exhibits wit, wisdom, and class, that infects the others as well. The DVD also includes an interactive essay entitled, "Things That Go Bump in the Night", a still gallery, and a vintage theatrical trailer.

Shot in black and white, The Haunting, comes highly recommended. Watching this version will help one to forget the mistakes of director Jan De Bont's needless remake

"The Haunting" is undoubtedly the best horror film ever made. This is better than anything Hitchcock made, better than anything Hammer made, better than anything else in the genre. "Psycho" looks subaverage and tame compared to this utterly terrifying masterpiece. Parts of this movie will have any sentient lifeform wizzing their proverbial pants and shuddering, spellbound but totally frozen in fear. The character of Eleanor is tragic, sad, and totally believable:the actress gives one of the best performances I've ever seen on the stage or in film. Everything was simply done right with this movie. I would go so far as to say that this movie alone, even though it was made in 1964, is a solid justification for the past and continued existence of horror movies--and there have been far more bad and just objectionable/desensitizing horror movies than substantive and intelligent ones. This surpasses the book, and the book was a classic. One of the most effective, noirish, decadent, fascinating, enigmatic movies ever made.

I watch quite a bit of horror movies. However none seem to frighten me, this one is different. While I was watching the movie I ACTUALLY got scared (which is rare for me). This movie has a chilling plot, and wonderful actors. I was really afraid but yet I wanted to finish watching the movie. I am glad I did. This in my opinion is one of the best horror movies. I would put it in the Top 5. The remake (1999) is very poor compared to this one. When I watch it I don't even get a little fright. The acting is not that great, compared to this masterpiece. So if you are looking for a good scream, some chills, good acting, and a ton of fun. This is YOUR movie! You will not be disappointed.

No ghost is ever seen in this film by Robert Wise;
The atmosphere's created by suggestion and surmise.

This feeling of suspense - of things not properly understood
Or not yet revealed - makes the film especially good.

The set design evokes a sense of claustrophobic dread,
With splendid cinematography (some shot in infrared).

The plot concerns four very different people and their search
For ghosts at night in a haunted house, ostensibly for research.

Leading the expedition is the ruthless Dr. Markway,
Determined to get proof that spirits really exist in some way.

Luke, by contrast, is a wisecracking cynic,
While Theo's a decadent lesbian, who's partially clairvoyant.

But the central figure of the film is lonely Eleanor,
A disturbed individual who is sick of being ignored.

For Eleanor, the house, no matter how disturbing,
Represents a refuge from her past life so perturbing.

"I want to stay in here forever," she implores,
"Where I'll never be frightened or alone anymore."

Whether a result of the house 'possessing' her mind,
Or her love for Dr. Markway, is never quite defined.

This film's success rests largely on the things that aren't explained,
In contrast to the patronising movies of today!

My only complaint about The Haunting is that I can't seem to stay awake to watch it when I'm tired or sleepy. Otherwise, it is the very finest ghost story you will ever see. I personally prefer Shirley Jackson's excellent book The Haunting Of Hill House to either film version, as it goes into much more detail. The remake isn't at all as bad as the critics say and has some new twists to offer in the story. But, the original still stands as the definitive ghost story. It takes quite awhile for the story to really get going and there is a lot of talk and very little action for most of the film's running time. But, there is at least one scene that will leave you wondering as you lie in your bed in a dark room if you are really alone. Who could ever forget Mrs. Dudley's creepy and sinister little smile when she says "There won't be anyone to help if you call out in the night". Brrrrr.......... Just turn down the lights, get someone you trust to hold onto and make sure you are wide awake when you watch it!!

Man, what can I say that hasn't already been said. This was a great horror experience. And this is truly the only version on film that represents Shirley Jackson's original novel. It is a dark and frightening place these unsuspecting people step into, and it only gets worse.

Hill House is haunted, and a parapsychologist (Richard Johnson) chooses three other "researchers" to help him investigate what exactly is going on in this house. However, none of them are prepared for what will unfold.

The cast is superb, with Julie Harris playing a vulnerable "runaway" adult trying to gain respect and freedom for herself. Richard Johnson is the brave, level-headed researcher, hoping to find proof of life-after-death. Claire Bloom, sexy and unpredictable, plays the self-reliant psychic with a secret of her own. Russ Tamblyn as the synic turned believer. And watch for a surprising appearance of Louise Maxwell, Bond's Miss Moneypenny.

The film is a black-and-white masterpiece of gathering darkness and horror. Robert Wise fought Warner Brothers to keep the movie in black-and-white at a time when all major studios were insisting on color. The DVD presents the film in its original widescreen aspect ratio. The camera work here is tricky and masterful, catching you with odd angles and directions that cause a vague, and growing sense of angst, very much like the narrative in Shirley Jackson frightening novel. The sound quality is excellent. And the extras on this DVD are exceptional, with a full-length commentary including Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, Director Robert Wise and screenwriter Nelson Gidding.

Turn out the lights kids, it's the only way to meet this thing; in the dark.

The feeling of dread - the potential horror of THE HAUNTING is limited only to the potential you bring to it. Can you imagine horrors vile enough to keep you awake at night? I can - and that's what makes this artfully directed film work so powerfully.
Robert Wise lets you know that something is happening - the consumate nightmare- but he leaves enough unsaid so that we must fill in the blanks with our own personal definition of what the worst might be. Unlike later films that rely on full frontal gore and worn out ploys like "the sudden corpse" shot, the haunting quietly but steadily creates an uneasy, morbid tone after which absolutely anything that might happen will seem creepy. If you need an illustrated guide to fear then you will not get this film. If you know a little about fear and revulsion - well - no where else will a little go such a long way.