The Haunting (1963) is a movie I recently rewatched on Amazon Prime for the first time in a long time. A doctor wants to prove a notoriously haunted house is indeed haunted and write a book on his studies. To prove his point he invites a group of people with a history of strange and paranormal events consistently happening around them. When the house grabs one specific member of the group and makes her a target the rest of the groups lives quickly become at risk. This movie is directed by Robert Wise (West Wide Story) and stars Julie Harris (East of Eden), Claire Bloom (Clash of the Titans), Richard Johnson (Zombie) and Russ Tamblyn (West Side Story). The opening narration brilliantly sets up the feel of the film. The cast is very well selected and execute their characters to perfection. The writing for this is awesome and the way the characters backstories are told and the characters are presented if very good. The way the film works in the horror elements around the characters back stories are subtle but very well executed. The cinematography is also excellent the way the house and horror elements are presented and the ending is perfect. Overall this is a horror masterpiece that is very underrated and should be up there with the classics. I absolutely love this film and would score it a 10/10.
400 Reviews
Forget the silly remake; this "Haunting" is the real one.
lee_eisenberg26 October 2005
Robert Wise's recent passing brings "The Haunting" to mind. Less of a horror movie than a psychological thriller, it has Eleanor Lance (Julie Harris) coming to old house with several other people invited by Dr. John Markway (Richard Johnson). This is no ordinary house; it has a very disturbing history. And the answers to the creepy incidents that have taken place may be closer than anyone realizes.
What makes this movie so good is that it relies on camera angle (rather than gore and special effects, as usually seems to happen now) to create the horror. You literally can't tell when something is going to happen. The only thing that gives the movie a slightly silly feeling is the presence of Lois Maxwell (aka Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies) as Dr. Markway's wife Grace. Still, it's a horror classic. The 1999 remake, as far as I could tell, was deliberately trying to be silly; if so, then they sure succeeded, because that was a poor excuse for a movie. This one is the real "Haunting".
What makes this movie so good is that it relies on camera angle (rather than gore and special effects, as usually seems to happen now) to create the horror. You literally can't tell when something is going to happen. The only thing that gives the movie a slightly silly feeling is the presence of Lois Maxwell (aka Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies) as Dr. Markway's wife Grace. Still, it's a horror classic. The 1999 remake, as far as I could tell, was deliberately trying to be silly; if so, then they sure succeeded, because that was a poor excuse for a movie. This one is the real "Haunting".
And whatever walked there, walked alone.
hitchcockthelegend19 April 2013
The Haunting is directed by Robert Wise and adapted to screenplay by Nelson Gidding from the Shirley Jackson novel The Haunting of Hill House. It stars Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn and Lois Maxwell. Music is by Humphrey Searle and cinematography by David Boulton.
Hill House has a troubled history, death, either by accident or by suicide, has occurred there over the years. Today, Dr. Markway, an anthropologist and investigator of paranormal activity, leads a team of four for a stay at Hill House, where they will stay for a period of time in the hope that Markway can prove something paranormal resides there
The haunted house premise has been a staple for horror film makers since forever. To place the viewer in a murky house, alongside some character unfortunates, and then scare the tar out of them has always been the aim. It hasn't often worked to great effect, in fact the number of genuine scary haunted house movies barely trouble the fingers of both hands. How strange, then, that the best of the bunch chose a simple formula that has never been replicated since with the same great effect.
The Haunting thrives not on what it throws at you by way of jumps and peek-a-boo visceral shocks, it deals firmly in the realm of what you can't see scares you the most. Where we have to use our own fretful imaginations to fill in the blanks for us, which is never a good thing in psychological horror parlance. Robert Wise, a most gifted and versatile director, uses oblique camera angles, thundering sound effects and angled close ups of his actors to get the maximum amount of atmosphere from the premise.
Distortion is very much a key component here. We are told the history of the house and some of its structural quirks, the camera angles heighten this for ethereal impact whilst simultaneously marrying up to the distortion of a key character's mental health. The story in essence sounds simple, yet there is much bubbling away in Hill House, both on the page and up there on the screen. This is not simply a case of a group of people being haunted by a spectre or otherwise, the mind is a key player here, very much so.
Along the way are some truly breath holding scenes; a bending door, pounding in the corridor, a face on the wall (the lighting here genius), Nell's hand holding incident, a rickety spiral staircase that we fear from the off, and the ghostly finale as Hill House reveals its hand and what we thought was a simple and true narrative is actually more clever, more chilling than we first imagined. Suggestion is a very big thing in The Haunting, it's what drives it to greatness, but it also has scenes that really bring the gooseflesh jumping up on your arms.
The acting is mostly great, with Tamblyn and Johnson correctly underplaying their roles to let the two girls take centre stage. Both Harris and Bloom are excellent. As Nell, Harris is nervous, introverted and caught up in the atmosphere of the house, it's the pivotal role and Harris instills a heart aching fragility into the character. Bloom as Theodora has mystical qualities, a sexiness and a devilishly playful disposition, things that play off of Harris' egg shell walking quite brilliantly. While the house itself (exterior is Ettington Park Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon) is an ominous character all of its own. As Nell first spies the monolithic frontage she muses that it's a monster waiting to swallow her, a small creature, whole; we know exactly how she feels.
Still the template haunted house movie, accept no substitutes and ignore stupid claims of homophobia, this is intelligent, scary and crafted with great skill. 10/10
Hill House has a troubled history, death, either by accident or by suicide, has occurred there over the years. Today, Dr. Markway, an anthropologist and investigator of paranormal activity, leads a team of four for a stay at Hill House, where they will stay for a period of time in the hope that Markway can prove something paranormal resides there
The haunted house premise has been a staple for horror film makers since forever. To place the viewer in a murky house, alongside some character unfortunates, and then scare the tar out of them has always been the aim. It hasn't often worked to great effect, in fact the number of genuine scary haunted house movies barely trouble the fingers of both hands. How strange, then, that the best of the bunch chose a simple formula that has never been replicated since with the same great effect.
The Haunting thrives not on what it throws at you by way of jumps and peek-a-boo visceral shocks, it deals firmly in the realm of what you can't see scares you the most. Where we have to use our own fretful imaginations to fill in the blanks for us, which is never a good thing in psychological horror parlance. Robert Wise, a most gifted and versatile director, uses oblique camera angles, thundering sound effects and angled close ups of his actors to get the maximum amount of atmosphere from the premise.
Distortion is very much a key component here. We are told the history of the house and some of its structural quirks, the camera angles heighten this for ethereal impact whilst simultaneously marrying up to the distortion of a key character's mental health. The story in essence sounds simple, yet there is much bubbling away in Hill House, both on the page and up there on the screen. This is not simply a case of a group of people being haunted by a spectre or otherwise, the mind is a key player here, very much so.
Along the way are some truly breath holding scenes; a bending door, pounding in the corridor, a face on the wall (the lighting here genius), Nell's hand holding incident, a rickety spiral staircase that we fear from the off, and the ghostly finale as Hill House reveals its hand and what we thought was a simple and true narrative is actually more clever, more chilling than we first imagined. Suggestion is a very big thing in The Haunting, it's what drives it to greatness, but it also has scenes that really bring the gooseflesh jumping up on your arms.
The acting is mostly great, with Tamblyn and Johnson correctly underplaying their roles to let the two girls take centre stage. Both Harris and Bloom are excellent. As Nell, Harris is nervous, introverted and caught up in the atmosphere of the house, it's the pivotal role and Harris instills a heart aching fragility into the character. Bloom as Theodora has mystical qualities, a sexiness and a devilishly playful disposition, things that play off of Harris' egg shell walking quite brilliantly. While the house itself (exterior is Ettington Park Hotel in Stratford-Upon-Avon) is an ominous character all of its own. As Nell first spies the monolithic frontage she muses that it's a monster waiting to swallow her, a small creature, whole; we know exactly how she feels.
Still the template haunted house movie, accept no substitutes and ignore stupid claims of homophobia, this is intelligent, scary and crafted with great skill. 10/10
Unexplainable Evil
hellraiser711 September 2018
The supernatural sub-genre has always been appealing and scary because of its enigmatic nature that to this day we still don't have a full grasp on and understanding. This subgenre is based on that fear of the unknown, the truths that are invisible to the naked eye and yet exist all the same as air, but also how what we don't understand or have a full comprehension of could possibly turn against us. This is one of my favorite horror films in the supernatural subgenre, there have been a few in the past but it's really in the films execution that makes it timeless and to this day still one of the best.
This was based on a story by Sherley Jackson which is cool since she's one of my favorite horror authors and she was also one of the first female ones of her kind which is cool. What made her stories good was that it dealt with both supernatural and psychological horror which really do fit together since both ghosts and the demons haunting the human psyche are most of the time felt but not seen or touched.
I really love the cinematography; the film is shot in black and white but that to me makes it all the more better it sort of adds to the nightmarish quality of the film. I really like the mansion set piece which looks beautiful but at the same time foreboding as there is a bit of a gothic quality to both the interior and exterior. The use of the shadows from the interior to the exterior of the house as well as some cinematography of the house, all that helps to make the house a character. It a very imposing and menacing house sometimes whenever a light or two is on in the window it feels almost like an evil eye is watching you. I really like the interior designs of the house, some of them may have been a partial inspiration for some of the interiors of the mansion from the video game "Resident Evil."
The ensemble for this film is memorable as they all are unique and has different personas. Two characters I really like that are my favorites are Luke played by Russ Tamblyn his character is a bit of a sceptic of the group but he's not a stereotypical one as we do see from things happening his mind slowly but surely opens up as there are a few things that are unaccountable. But he's also a guy that seems like someone that is loose and wants to have fun, he's actually got a few really good lines, one that's my favorite in one scene where he gets spooked along with myself when he says "my feeling is telling me to get the hell out of here" his feeling is correct.
Theo played well by Claire Bloom, I'll admit I had a bit of a crush on this actress, really like how she fit well in that black cat like get up she was wearing just sizzles sexiness with the persona to boot. Really like how she has this spunk and feistiness about her, but I really emphasize with her as she's a person that beats to a different drummer. From her empathic abilities she isn't afraid to embrace certain emotions she holds and be herself, but also perceive certain things no one else can see.
The suspense is great, it's true it's a slow burn but like with most of these slow burners you get use to the pace, and as the film goes on and for most of these supernatural films I feel it works to its benefit. There are even moments in the film that can really catch you off guard, where for a while things are calm and peaceful and then the next minute something happens which I honestly didn't expect it really hit me like a ton of bricks and I like that. Like that balcony scene which made me jump and was another that gave me a cold chill. This film has lots of memorable moments that actually gave me genuine chills. From a simple scene where we suddenly see the doors to the Nursery Room are just open, that gave me an arctic chill because I know the doors were perfectly locked there was no way in or out, I remember thinking, "Alright, I know I didn't open them and neither did any of the group." And of course, that scene in the bedroom, that turned my blood to ice as we see the aftermath once the lights are turned on.
However, I think what really made the film scary is its enigma. The whole mystery surrounding Hill House to this day has no explanations, you guess is as good as mine. I really like that it's enigmatic it really ads to its menace making the house an unpredictable force of evil. But also, this is a film where as you watch it again you sometimes are able to uncover more but also draw your own analysis/conclusions.
I have really only three possibilities I drew up, One the previous owner Crane possibly dabbled in black magic, may 'be summoned some demons and didn't put them back. One scene we see some really bizarre books in the library scene which are nursery/fable books aimed for kids. But the content of them is very disturbing let alone I hardly consider it children's literature as each of the pages contain forms of sadistic consequences and abuse for every supposed bad thing they do. But also, the pictures are of demons and devils tormenting mortals. This made me wonder if Crane could have been part of some cult as these aren't the kind of books you find at a "Barnes and Noble".
Another is on Elenore being a reincarnate of Crane's daughter Abigail Crane. Throughout the film you do see some uncanny parallels of both the history of the house and Abigail but also Elinore's life also which in a way set up eerie foreshadowing. As we discover Abigail did suffer from abuse from her father just as Elenore suffered abuse from her mother, and also, we see how both the death of Abby and Elenore's mother are similar. Could these things somehow be the reason the demons of the house are targeting Elenore for history to repeat itself.
Though the other is Elenore herself, throughout the film there is this interesting character study on Elenore whom is the one protagonist that is from beginning to end having the hardest time of all. She's a person that clearly suffers deep depression that is taking its toll on her. She also suffers denial which has made her repress certain truths mainly about herself but worst of all not dealing with her personal trauma from the abuse she suffered from her ailing mother, which built more and more like mildew. Elenore is never truly secure and has little freedom from the time she was taking care of her mother to even afterward, has no place to really call home, no real family, but worst of all no life of her own which sucks.
But we hear that Elenore has psychic power as she told a little story about her past on exercising telekinesis. I can't help but think Elenore may 'be more powerful than she thinks but doesn't realize it, somehow the energy of the house has triggered it and made it work subconsciously. I'm thinking with these powers either she either inadvertently has summoned the demons in that house and their preying on her anxieties, or she has somehow made all her psychological demons manifest and is inadvertently making most to everything in that house happen. Like that message on the wall for her, could actually be message she made in her mind for her need for a home to call her own but also a sense of a family waiting for her to come home. I don't know like I said before I'll let you draw your own analysis/conclusions.
Overall if your into the supernatural subgenre of horror this is a vintage classic worth entering if you dare.
Rating: 4 stars
This was based on a story by Sherley Jackson which is cool since she's one of my favorite horror authors and she was also one of the first female ones of her kind which is cool. What made her stories good was that it dealt with both supernatural and psychological horror which really do fit together since both ghosts and the demons haunting the human psyche are most of the time felt but not seen or touched.
I really love the cinematography; the film is shot in black and white but that to me makes it all the more better it sort of adds to the nightmarish quality of the film. I really like the mansion set piece which looks beautiful but at the same time foreboding as there is a bit of a gothic quality to both the interior and exterior. The use of the shadows from the interior to the exterior of the house as well as some cinematography of the house, all that helps to make the house a character. It a very imposing and menacing house sometimes whenever a light or two is on in the window it feels almost like an evil eye is watching you. I really like the interior designs of the house, some of them may have been a partial inspiration for some of the interiors of the mansion from the video game "Resident Evil."
The ensemble for this film is memorable as they all are unique and has different personas. Two characters I really like that are my favorites are Luke played by Russ Tamblyn his character is a bit of a sceptic of the group but he's not a stereotypical one as we do see from things happening his mind slowly but surely opens up as there are a few things that are unaccountable. But he's also a guy that seems like someone that is loose and wants to have fun, he's actually got a few really good lines, one that's my favorite in one scene where he gets spooked along with myself when he says "my feeling is telling me to get the hell out of here" his feeling is correct.
Theo played well by Claire Bloom, I'll admit I had a bit of a crush on this actress, really like how she fit well in that black cat like get up she was wearing just sizzles sexiness with the persona to boot. Really like how she has this spunk and feistiness about her, but I really emphasize with her as she's a person that beats to a different drummer. From her empathic abilities she isn't afraid to embrace certain emotions she holds and be herself, but also perceive certain things no one else can see.
The suspense is great, it's true it's a slow burn but like with most of these slow burners you get use to the pace, and as the film goes on and for most of these supernatural films I feel it works to its benefit. There are even moments in the film that can really catch you off guard, where for a while things are calm and peaceful and then the next minute something happens which I honestly didn't expect it really hit me like a ton of bricks and I like that. Like that balcony scene which made me jump and was another that gave me a cold chill. This film has lots of memorable moments that actually gave me genuine chills. From a simple scene where we suddenly see the doors to the Nursery Room are just open, that gave me an arctic chill because I know the doors were perfectly locked there was no way in or out, I remember thinking, "Alright, I know I didn't open them and neither did any of the group." And of course, that scene in the bedroom, that turned my blood to ice as we see the aftermath once the lights are turned on.
However, I think what really made the film scary is its enigma. The whole mystery surrounding Hill House to this day has no explanations, you guess is as good as mine. I really like that it's enigmatic it really ads to its menace making the house an unpredictable force of evil. But also, this is a film where as you watch it again you sometimes are able to uncover more but also draw your own analysis/conclusions.
I have really only three possibilities I drew up, One the previous owner Crane possibly dabbled in black magic, may 'be summoned some demons and didn't put them back. One scene we see some really bizarre books in the library scene which are nursery/fable books aimed for kids. But the content of them is very disturbing let alone I hardly consider it children's literature as each of the pages contain forms of sadistic consequences and abuse for every supposed bad thing they do. But also, the pictures are of demons and devils tormenting mortals. This made me wonder if Crane could have been part of some cult as these aren't the kind of books you find at a "Barnes and Noble".
Another is on Elenore being a reincarnate of Crane's daughter Abigail Crane. Throughout the film you do see some uncanny parallels of both the history of the house and Abigail but also Elinore's life also which in a way set up eerie foreshadowing. As we discover Abigail did suffer from abuse from her father just as Elenore suffered abuse from her mother, and also, we see how both the death of Abby and Elenore's mother are similar. Could these things somehow be the reason the demons of the house are targeting Elenore for history to repeat itself.
Though the other is Elenore herself, throughout the film there is this interesting character study on Elenore whom is the one protagonist that is from beginning to end having the hardest time of all. She's a person that clearly suffers deep depression that is taking its toll on her. She also suffers denial which has made her repress certain truths mainly about herself but worst of all not dealing with her personal trauma from the abuse she suffered from her ailing mother, which built more and more like mildew. Elenore is never truly secure and has little freedom from the time she was taking care of her mother to even afterward, has no place to really call home, no real family, but worst of all no life of her own which sucks.
But we hear that Elenore has psychic power as she told a little story about her past on exercising telekinesis. I can't help but think Elenore may 'be more powerful than she thinks but doesn't realize it, somehow the energy of the house has triggered it and made it work subconsciously. I'm thinking with these powers either she either inadvertently has summoned the demons in that house and their preying on her anxieties, or she has somehow made all her psychological demons manifest and is inadvertently making most to everything in that house happen. Like that message on the wall for her, could actually be message she made in her mind for her need for a home to call her own but also a sense of a family waiting for her to come home. I don't know like I said before I'll let you draw your own analysis/conclusions.
Overall if your into the supernatural subgenre of horror this is a vintage classic worth entering if you dare.
Rating: 4 stars
Surprising how many people DON'T like it.
john_vance-2080626 February 2016
Perhaps this is a movie that appeals only to certain people. Perhaps it has to be viewed at a particular moment in life. Perhaps it's just too dated for many to get into it. In any case, it's disappointing to see how many simply find it a waste of time.
I saw this under special circumstances. I was about 12 years old and my parents were out for the evening when it came on TV. I didn't know anything about it but considered myself quite the connoisseur of horror and sci-fi shown at the small local theater. I figured it would be along the line of Universal monsters and Roger Corman fare, nothing particularly notable.
It scared the absolute daylights out of me. Sitting alone the in house at night with the creepy sounds and images emanating from that little B&W screen got to me badly. Even after my parents were home and I went to bed I found myself looking for faces in the plaster walls of my room and imagining every creak as an approaching but invisible malevolent force.
I still get it out every couple of years on a dark dreary night, and though the lines of dialog sound more stilted to my now elderly mind I can still remember the effect it had on me so many decades ago.
I had an even more intense reaction from Hitchcock's "The Birds" and I've noticed the commentary about that film to be similar to this. Perhaps you just had to be there.
I saw this under special circumstances. I was about 12 years old and my parents were out for the evening when it came on TV. I didn't know anything about it but considered myself quite the connoisseur of horror and sci-fi shown at the small local theater. I figured it would be along the line of Universal monsters and Roger Corman fare, nothing particularly notable.
It scared the absolute daylights out of me. Sitting alone the in house at night with the creepy sounds and images emanating from that little B&W screen got to me badly. Even after my parents were home and I went to bed I found myself looking for faces in the plaster walls of my room and imagining every creak as an approaching but invisible malevolent force.
I still get it out every couple of years on a dark dreary night, and though the lines of dialog sound more stilted to my now elderly mind I can still remember the effect it had on me so many decades ago.
I had an even more intense reaction from Hitchcock's "The Birds" and I've noticed the commentary about that film to be similar to this. Perhaps you just had to be there.
Great implied and psychological horror
AlsExGal20 June 2021
When director Robert Wise works on a small scale, with oppressive and/or claustrophobic settings, and uses less than mega box office actors, his films are usually good. Examples of this would be "The Set Up," "House On Telegraph Hill," "Andromeda Strain," "Odds Against Tomorrow" and "Born To Kill". It's also the case that when this director decides to go all "epic" on us he's a windy bore. I won't name those films, but you know who you are. Fortunately, this film is in the former category. It's just five characters in a creepy house and it grabs you from the get go with an effective montage of the house's macabre history and
keeps your interest with acute examinations of the personalities
of the main characters and the fear of the unseen.
What makes "The Haunting" so genuinely terrifying is the subtly expressed theme: that the house gradually devours Eleanor because her sad, pathetic life encapsulates the history of Hill House. This is made even clearer in the novel, where Hugh Crain had two daughters, who hated each other, and whose lifelong feud mirrors Eleanor's loathing of her own sister. Eleanor really has had no life up to this point - as a result she is emotionally all of thirteen. She doesn't get Theo's not so subtle hints that she is attracted to her. She also doesn't get that just because Professor Markway talks to her like a human being does not mean he is attracted to her. She's like the junior high kid in love with her teacher.
It has superb performances, a credible atmosphere, and gorgeous direction and cinematography. If you are after a body count ala John Carpenter look elsewhere, but if you like your horror implied this is worth your while.
What makes "The Haunting" so genuinely terrifying is the subtly expressed theme: that the house gradually devours Eleanor because her sad, pathetic life encapsulates the history of Hill House. This is made even clearer in the novel, where Hugh Crain had two daughters, who hated each other, and whose lifelong feud mirrors Eleanor's loathing of her own sister. Eleanor really has had no life up to this point - as a result she is emotionally all of thirteen. She doesn't get Theo's not so subtle hints that she is attracted to her. She also doesn't get that just because Professor Markway talks to her like a human being does not mean he is attracted to her. She's like the junior high kid in love with her teacher.
It has superb performances, a credible atmosphere, and gorgeous direction and cinematography. If you are after a body count ala John Carpenter look elsewhere, but if you like your horror implied this is worth your while.
Scary Psychological Horror Film
claudio_carvalho2 September 2012
Ninety years ago, Hugh Crain builds the mansion Hill House in a remote area of New England. When his wife is moving to the mansion, she has an accident and dies, leaving the bitter Hugh Crain and his daughter Abigail alone in Hill House. Hugh Crain marries again and his new wife also dies in Hill House. He moves to England and dies, leaving Abigail alone. When she is an old and invalid woman, she hires a paid companion from the village, but the woman neglects her and she dies. The companion inherits Hill House but the mansion drives her crazy and she commits suicide.
In the present days (1963), Dr. John Markway (Richard Johnson) rents the mansion from the inheritor Mrs. Sanderson (Fay Compton) to study the supernatural and prove the existence of ghosts. He invites the clairvoyant Theodora 'Theo' (Claire Bloom) and the unbalanced and needy psychic Eleanor 'Nell' Lance (Julie Harris) to spend vacation in Hill House, and he goes with the skeptical future inheritor Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn) to the mansion. During the nights, the quartet witness supernatural manifestation in the house and the sanity of Nell is affected by her ghosts.
"The Haunting" is a scary psychological horror film by the magnificent director Robert Wise. The ambiguous story does not have special effects, gore, ghosts, serial-killers or monster, but the viewer startles many times with the camera angles and sounds. The art direction is impressive despite the bad taste, creating an eerie environment. In 1999, this film was remade by Jan de Bont but without the quality of the original film. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Desafio do Além" ("Challenge from Beyond")
Note: On 26 Sep 2017, I saw this film again on Blu-Ray.
In the present days (1963), Dr. John Markway (Richard Johnson) rents the mansion from the inheritor Mrs. Sanderson (Fay Compton) to study the supernatural and prove the existence of ghosts. He invites the clairvoyant Theodora 'Theo' (Claire Bloom) and the unbalanced and needy psychic Eleanor 'Nell' Lance (Julie Harris) to spend vacation in Hill House, and he goes with the skeptical future inheritor Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn) to the mansion. During the nights, the quartet witness supernatural manifestation in the house and the sanity of Nell is affected by her ghosts.
"The Haunting" is a scary psychological horror film by the magnificent director Robert Wise. The ambiguous story does not have special effects, gore, ghosts, serial-killers or monster, but the viewer startles many times with the camera angles and sounds. The art direction is impressive despite the bad taste, creating an eerie environment. In 1999, this film was remade by Jan de Bont but without the quality of the original film. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Desafio do Além" ("Challenge from Beyond")
Note: On 26 Sep 2017, I saw this film again on Blu-Ray.
Things That Go Bump In The Night
bkoganbing28 October 2009
In The Haunting Russ Tamblyn has bought himself a genuine haunted house and rather than just move in, he's hired an occult expert Richard Johnson who in turn has brought two women with him who are experts in some way in the paranormal. Before moving in, the four of them conduct an experiment to try and contact the alleged spirits which involves them staying there for 48 hours. There were to be four others, but they for one reason or other didn't choose to complete the experiment.
Maybe out of concern and some jealousy that her husband was going to be spending time with two women, Johnson's wife Lois Maxwell also joins the group. Maxwell of course is best known as being the love struck Ms. Moneypenny in the James Bond series.
The film really belongs to Julie Harris and Claire Bloom as the psychically enhanced women staying at Tamblyn's house. The Haunting is an unusual horror film in that you will see not one monster, will see no dismembered body parts, all you will hear is some rather unearthly noises, yet The Haunting will frighten you out of a decade of living. It all has to do with the skill of a remarkably talented cast. They convey a sense of fright that is passed on to the audience that will not leave you for weeks.
Cinematically, The Haunting seems to be influenced by Henry James's The Turn Of The Screw and also by Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night. In the latter the entire play is set in the Tyrone house and like The Haunting the house itself becomes a character.
The Haunting is not for blood and guts fright fans. It's a thinking person's horror film and a tribute to a talented cast that puts it over.
Maybe out of concern and some jealousy that her husband was going to be spending time with two women, Johnson's wife Lois Maxwell also joins the group. Maxwell of course is best known as being the love struck Ms. Moneypenny in the James Bond series.
The film really belongs to Julie Harris and Claire Bloom as the psychically enhanced women staying at Tamblyn's house. The Haunting is an unusual horror film in that you will see not one monster, will see no dismembered body parts, all you will hear is some rather unearthly noises, yet The Haunting will frighten you out of a decade of living. It all has to do with the skill of a remarkably talented cast. They convey a sense of fright that is passed on to the audience that will not leave you for weeks.
Cinematically, The Haunting seems to be influenced by Henry James's The Turn Of The Screw and also by Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey Into Night. In the latter the entire play is set in the Tyrone house and like The Haunting the house itself becomes a character.
The Haunting is not for blood and guts fright fans. It's a thinking person's horror film and a tribute to a talented cast that puts it over.
One of my all-time favorite horror flicks
Holmesister23 October 2005
I saw this movie the summer I got out of high school. I went with a date and he about dug a hole in the arm of my sweater, it scared him that much. What makes the movie really scary is the fact that it does not have any slashers, monsters, blood and/or gore. Robert Wise scared you with camera angles, the unknown "presences" that seemed to be always lurking behind every door, and the sound effects were very effective. Filming it in black and white also made it creepier. The audiences imaginations and their own personal fears make the movie very effective. We have all experienced a frightening event at some time in our lives (dark closets, what's under the bed, what's outside the window after dark, did you hear that?, etc.) This movie plays on those feelings as you watch it. The remake was disappointing at the least. It had a great cast, but the producers/directors were trying too hard. These days, it seems that special effects can sometimes ruin a movie. There's nothing to play on ones imagination. That's why the book is usually much better than the movie. I purchased this movie on VHS a few years ago and I watch it every once in awhile in the dark (of course) when my husband is here. I don't think I could watch it alone - in the dark - in the night....
"Hill House had stood for 90 years and might stand for 90 more..."
utgard1422 November 2014
Paranormal researcher Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson) gathers three people to stay with him at Hill House, an old mansion with a deadly history. He hopes the reputedly haunted house can provide evidence of the paranormal. The three others in his group are Luke (Russ Tamblyn), an heir of the woman who owns the house, psychic Theodora (Claire Bloom), and Eleanor (Julie Harris), a troubled woman who experienced poltergeist activity as a child. It doesn't take long before strange things start to happen in the house and it seems to affect Eleanor most of all.
Robert Wise's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" is a bona fide horror classic that's influenced countless movies over the years. Wise was a director who proved he could excel at any genre he tackled. His first horror movies were when he worked with Val Lewton on some of his wonderful films from the '40s. Lewton's approach to horror was to leave a lot to the viewer's imagination. Show them just enough to get their wheels spinning but never enough to say definitively that the horrors were real and not just in the mind. This ambiguous approach that focused heavily on the psychological clearly influenced Wise's direction here. So many of the scares here are suggested rather than overt.
The film benefits from a small cast. Richard Johnson is a solid actor who gives what could easily be a stuffy character some personality. His opening narration sends chills down your spine. Russ Tamblyn is the flippant young man foisted upon Johnson's team. He has a memorable final line. Claire Bloom is terrific as the spiciest character in the film, subtext-laden Theodora. Julie Harris is the one that seems to divide viewers most. Some, like myself, find her performance as the nervous, frightened, and unbalanced Eleanor very authentic and deserving of praise. Others have said she's over the top, unrelatable, and hard to like. You'll have to see it and judge for yourself. The real star of the film is the house itself. The exteriors were shot at Ettington Hall and the interiors were very believable sets created by Elliott Scott.
After skimming through the reviews here, I was disappointed to see so many negatives. Most of which were the same: too boring, too slow, etc. I hate to generalize and I hate to play the "what's wrong with today's generation" card...but man it depresses me a little. I guess that's what happens when kids grow up plopped down in front of a TV or computer screen from an early age. Everything has to be shocking and violent. Like all the great horror films (not just cheap slasher dreck), it's best watched late at night. There's much to appreciate about this (pardon the pun) haunting classic. The script, acting, score, cinematography, and direction are all superb. It's a truly frightening film at times with an uneasy atmosphere throughout. A film that everybody should see at least once.
Robert Wise's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" is a bona fide horror classic that's influenced countless movies over the years. Wise was a director who proved he could excel at any genre he tackled. His first horror movies were when he worked with Val Lewton on some of his wonderful films from the '40s. Lewton's approach to horror was to leave a lot to the viewer's imagination. Show them just enough to get their wheels spinning but never enough to say definitively that the horrors were real and not just in the mind. This ambiguous approach that focused heavily on the psychological clearly influenced Wise's direction here. So many of the scares here are suggested rather than overt.
The film benefits from a small cast. Richard Johnson is a solid actor who gives what could easily be a stuffy character some personality. His opening narration sends chills down your spine. Russ Tamblyn is the flippant young man foisted upon Johnson's team. He has a memorable final line. Claire Bloom is terrific as the spiciest character in the film, subtext-laden Theodora. Julie Harris is the one that seems to divide viewers most. Some, like myself, find her performance as the nervous, frightened, and unbalanced Eleanor very authentic and deserving of praise. Others have said she's over the top, unrelatable, and hard to like. You'll have to see it and judge for yourself. The real star of the film is the house itself. The exteriors were shot at Ettington Hall and the interiors were very believable sets created by Elliott Scott.
After skimming through the reviews here, I was disappointed to see so many negatives. Most of which were the same: too boring, too slow, etc. I hate to generalize and I hate to play the "what's wrong with today's generation" card...but man it depresses me a little. I guess that's what happens when kids grow up plopped down in front of a TV or computer screen from an early age. Everything has to be shocking and violent. Like all the great horror films (not just cheap slasher dreck), it's best watched late at night. There's much to appreciate about this (pardon the pun) haunting classic. The script, acting, score, cinematography, and direction are all superb. It's a truly frightening film at times with an uneasy atmosphere throughout. A film that everybody should see at least once.
Don't (re)make them like they used to
kosmasp27 July 2019
Now to be fair, I might have seen the remake, but I don't recall it. So I can't really tell you if it is worth your while. But this is not about the remake, it is about this movie. A movie that goes down the psychological rabbit hole, with inner voice included or out-cluded? Whatever you want to call it - some will say it is not what a movie should do.
But if you don't care about rules (or how things should be) and don't mind that this is a slow burner and almost everything is played in your mind, with not that many visual enhancement (music helps of course), then this is for you. This is straight old school - if that phrase means anything to you - horror.
But if you don't care about rules (or how things should be) and don't mind that this is a slow burner and almost everything is played in your mind, with not that many visual enhancement (music helps of course), then this is for you. This is straight old school - if that phrase means anything to you - horror.
Scorsese's Favorite Horror Film
gavin694216 June 2015
A scientist doing research on the paranormal invites two women to a haunted mansion. One of the participants soon starts losing her mind.
So, Martin Scorsese says this is his favorite horror film. What does that mean exactly? I do not know. It is indeed a great horror film, because it relies on a slow build up and there is very little that is outright scary or frightening. This is all atmosphere.
What makes it even better is the cast. Richard Johnson is excellent, and Julie Harris is always nice to see. Russ Tamblyn, though, is perhaps among the more interesting actors of his generation, with decades of great roles and films under his belt. I would watch this again and again just for him.
So, Martin Scorsese says this is his favorite horror film. What does that mean exactly? I do not know. It is indeed a great horror film, because it relies on a slow build up and there is very little that is outright scary or frightening. This is all atmosphere.
What makes it even better is the cast. Richard Johnson is excellent, and Julie Harris is always nice to see. Russ Tamblyn, though, is perhaps among the more interesting actors of his generation, with decades of great roles and films under his belt. I would watch this again and again just for him.
one of the best haunted house movies if not the best
eric-1444 April 1999
This is one of the best haunted house movies where you actually don't see the ghosts, you just hear them, and you wonder whether they're really there or just the people's imigination. The movie is about four people who go to spend a weekend at a well known haunted house and experience some real bumps in the night! Excellent acting and direction not to mention the creepy music. Highly recommended. they should make more movies like this! Hopefully the remake will good as well
Forty one years after its release, this movie is still frightening.
jeklv4 April 2004
ABC broadcast this film as a Sunday Night Movie in, I believe, 1965. I watched it with my best friend at his house, which happened to be next door. After the movie was over I was afraid to walk home. Thirty eight years later, this movie is still the scariest movie I've ever seen.
It's hard to put into words why this movie triggers such an emotional response. There is no blood and gore, no creatures or monsters in plain sight. In fact, there is very little physical presence in this movie that should evoke such a fear reaction. True, there are multiple angle exterior shots of the mansion that make one feel as if the house is watching them all the time. And there are loud unexplained noises, bulging wall panels, and door knobs that turn by themselves. All-in-all, the physical evidence is pretty tame, especially by today's standards.
The fear reaction lies not in the physical form, but in the psychological sense. For example, as Theo and Nell cling to one another as wall pounding draws closer to their room, only to stop and dead silence replaces the noise. Later in the movie, Nell and Theo are again in their room when Nell grabs hold of Theo's hand as noise begins to build outside their bedroom door. Finally, unable to stand the noise any longer, Nell begins to scream which awakens Theo, who happens to be halfway across the room, and thus not close enough to be holding Nell's hand. So the question is "who or what was Nell holding?". There are many scenes that are similar to the above.
This film was directed by Robert Wise who made me believe there was something lurking around every corner, or there was something that was going to happen, but you just didn't know quite when. This is the type of directing that has given this movie the classic status it so richly deserves.
So, if you are more into the physical style of a movie, go see "Texas Chain Saw Massacre", but if you are ready for a genuinely scary movie, go rent or buy the 1963 version of "The Haunting".
It's hard to put into words why this movie triggers such an emotional response. There is no blood and gore, no creatures or monsters in plain sight. In fact, there is very little physical presence in this movie that should evoke such a fear reaction. True, there are multiple angle exterior shots of the mansion that make one feel as if the house is watching them all the time. And there are loud unexplained noises, bulging wall panels, and door knobs that turn by themselves. All-in-all, the physical evidence is pretty tame, especially by today's standards.
The fear reaction lies not in the physical form, but in the psychological sense. For example, as Theo and Nell cling to one another as wall pounding draws closer to their room, only to stop and dead silence replaces the noise. Later in the movie, Nell and Theo are again in their room when Nell grabs hold of Theo's hand as noise begins to build outside their bedroom door. Finally, unable to stand the noise any longer, Nell begins to scream which awakens Theo, who happens to be halfway across the room, and thus not close enough to be holding Nell's hand. So the question is "who or what was Nell holding?". There are many scenes that are similar to the above.
This film was directed by Robert Wise who made me believe there was something lurking around every corner, or there was something that was going to happen, but you just didn't know quite when. This is the type of directing that has given this movie the classic status it so richly deserves.
So, if you are more into the physical style of a movie, go see "Texas Chain Saw Massacre", but if you are ready for a genuinely scary movie, go rent or buy the 1963 version of "The Haunting".
Caution: Must Possess Imagination To "Get It"
afreimann5 August 2004
This movie is a genuine Hitchcock-esque classic. Predating modern special effects, this movie subtly maneuvers the viewer into a crescendo of paranoia. My mother introduced me to this movie when I was still very young (and since the terror is of the psychological variety, it is a strangely age-appropriate movie for youngsters who wish to see scary movies).
I think that the casting, concept, and script are all brilliant. This movie does not need the glitz of Hollywood effects because there is enough cranial content to more than compensate for what most people nowadays consider necessary visual enhancements.
The cast has an amazing chemistry and plausibility. I don't recommend this movie to effects-addicts. If you appreciate well-executed theatre, believable acting, using your OWN imagination, then... see for yourself!
I think that the casting, concept, and script are all brilliant. This movie does not need the glitz of Hollywood effects because there is enough cranial content to more than compensate for what most people nowadays consider necessary visual enhancements.
The cast has an amazing chemistry and plausibility. I don't recommend this movie to effects-addicts. If you appreciate well-executed theatre, believable acting, using your OWN imagination, then... see for yourself!
Classic horror movie about temporary occupants of a strange mansion begin to face terrifying ordeals.
ma-cortes8 February 2012
Based on Shirley Jackson's creepy tale titled ¨The haunting of Hill House¨, is a suspenseful and frightening terror movie by Robert Wise dealing with a haunted mansion and it was subsequently adapted (1999) by Jan De Bont . It's longly deemed one of the masterly crafted stories of terror ever brought to the screen ; ¨Haunting¨(1963) by Robert Wise , is a gripping film which still packs a punch . Hill House is a hundred-year-old haunted mansion , it is the setting for chosen group . The haunted house has an evil history with tragic accidents, suicide, and human misjudgement. It seems which the eerie mansion has been the place of several killing deaths . A psychologist scientist (Richard Johnson subsequently played by Liam Neeson) is a Pyschic researcher who assembles a group with histories linked to the paranormal . As three people are lured to a ghastly mansion deceived for fake pretenses realized by a psychological researcher . Nell (Julie Harris in posterior remake performed by Lili Taylor) was the subject of unexplained poltergeist activities as a child . She also is riddled with pain over her mother's death . Theo (Claire Bloom , ulterior role by Catherine Zeta Jones) is a clairvoyant who befriends Nell at Hill House . Furthermore , Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn , posterior character by Owen Wilson ) is a cynical scion and Bon Vivant sent to make sure that the property and not affected by other characters . Together the group explore scary Hill House and their own insecurities and finally face off the evil that inhabits with hair-raising results . Through the course of the night some will unravel , some will question , and all will fight for their lives as the house fights back. As the days and nights pass, the group slowly begins to learn the terrifying secret behind the house's former owner. They soon realize that the house is pure evil, and they must battle a terrifying spirit to escape the house of nightmares .
This interesting terror movie is packed with thrills, intrigue, suspense, horror and lots of interminable screams . Acceptable budget , fine performance and exciting issues make for big scary scream-feast and frights . This is a chilling adaptation from Shirley Jackson's novel based on an assortment of ghouls and ghosts and gets a high rating . Splendid Julie Harris as a fragile , lovely youth who results to have unexpected ties to the creepy ghost , she's the mainly redeeming feature of this movie . Robert Wise had seen Julie Harris in a play and decided she was perfect for the leading role. She later confessed that shooting the picture had been very hard on her. She saw her character, Eleanor, in a different way than director Wise but didn't feel it was her place to disagree, so playing the part was a struggle for her . Strange and thrilling musical score by Searle and atmospheric cinematography by David Boulton . Director Robert Wise created a taut drama where the real question is who is haunted and who may be unstable . Robert Wise made the film as a dedication to the memory of his mentor, Val Lewton, who had died 12 years earlier . The picture is very well realized by Robert Wise , a successful director of all kind genres as musical as ¨West side story¨, ¨The sound of music¨ , Sci-fi as ¨The day the earth stood still¨, ¨Star Trek¨, ¨The Andromeda strain¨ and Terror as ¨The body snatchers¨ , ¨ Curse of the cat people¨, ¨Audrey Rose¨ and of course ¨The haunting¨ .
It turns out to be a chiller , being well produced and compellingly directed . And followed by an inferiors sequel (1999) by Jan De Bont, a mindless and average film with all the FX budget can be created and contains several scenes without sense , no logic and in little common to the novel . This is an inferior version that relies heavily on the impressive special effects , however the classic version is the best and the greatest as acting as atmosphere .
This interesting terror movie is packed with thrills, intrigue, suspense, horror and lots of interminable screams . Acceptable budget , fine performance and exciting issues make for big scary scream-feast and frights . This is a chilling adaptation from Shirley Jackson's novel based on an assortment of ghouls and ghosts and gets a high rating . Splendid Julie Harris as a fragile , lovely youth who results to have unexpected ties to the creepy ghost , she's the mainly redeeming feature of this movie . Robert Wise had seen Julie Harris in a play and decided she was perfect for the leading role. She later confessed that shooting the picture had been very hard on her. She saw her character, Eleanor, in a different way than director Wise but didn't feel it was her place to disagree, so playing the part was a struggle for her . Strange and thrilling musical score by Searle and atmospheric cinematography by David Boulton . Director Robert Wise created a taut drama where the real question is who is haunted and who may be unstable . Robert Wise made the film as a dedication to the memory of his mentor, Val Lewton, who had died 12 years earlier . The picture is very well realized by Robert Wise , a successful director of all kind genres as musical as ¨West side story¨, ¨The sound of music¨ , Sci-fi as ¨The day the earth stood still¨, ¨Star Trek¨, ¨The Andromeda strain¨ and Terror as ¨The body snatchers¨ , ¨ Curse of the cat people¨, ¨Audrey Rose¨ and of course ¨The haunting¨ .
It turns out to be a chiller , being well produced and compellingly directed . And followed by an inferiors sequel (1999) by Jan De Bont, a mindless and average film with all the FX budget can be created and contains several scenes without sense , no logic and in little common to the novel . This is an inferior version that relies heavily on the impressive special effects , however the classic version is the best and the greatest as acting as atmosphere .
The only movie that truly frightened me.
Vanillaheart28 October 2005
After watching "The Haunting" 1963, I slept with my hands under the covers for 3 weeks.
I was alone in the house, very late at night. Every sound amplified.. I was a full grown woman. For Pete's sake, I have watched almost every monster movie made. Even the original "Wolfman." Hummm, I could handle this.
Wrong! I have never been so frightened in my life. Who or What was holding her hand??...
The door at the top of the spiral stair almost gave me a stroke.
This movie made a believer out of me. The sound effects, the lighting, the "breathing door", plus the fact it was Black and White.. The house, well don't ask me to attend a dinner party there. You will be eating alone.
Perfect movie for Halloween.
I give this movie a "10", The "remake" ?? Was that from the same book?
Nuff Said.
I was alone in the house, very late at night. Every sound amplified.. I was a full grown woman. For Pete's sake, I have watched almost every monster movie made. Even the original "Wolfman." Hummm, I could handle this.
Wrong! I have never been so frightened in my life. Who or What was holding her hand??...
The door at the top of the spiral stair almost gave me a stroke.
This movie made a believer out of me. The sound effects, the lighting, the "breathing door", plus the fact it was Black and White.. The house, well don't ask me to attend a dinner party there. You will be eating alone.
Perfect movie for Halloween.
I give this movie a "10", The "remake" ?? Was that from the same book?
Nuff Said.
A Perfect 10.0 On The Creepometer
ferbs5429 April 2009
From the scariest novel I have ever read, Shirley Jackson's 1959 classic "The Haunting of Hill House," producer/director Robert Wise & Co. were able to create, four years later and to their eternal credit, the most chilling film I have ever seen: "The Haunting." This picture has been sending ice water down my spinal cord for many decades now, and last night, as I watched it for at least the dozenth time with undiminished chills, I tried to figure out just why. The film, in which a quartet of researchers spends a few nights at the famously haunted New England pile known as Hill House, features nothing per se that is frightening; no visible ghosts, no materializations, no violence or murders. Rather, through sheer power of suggestion and use of the cinematic arts, viewers are made to feel the eeriness and evil of this abode. Or ARE we? The picture is oh-so cleverly ambiguous, as was Jackson's novel, and it IS just possible that all the strange manifestations in the house (the bangings, the whisperings, the bulging doors) are rather being caused by one of the four researchers, spinster Eleanor Lance (Vance in the book...why the change?), supremely well played by Julie Harris. (Harris' interior monologues are perhaps the picture's single scariest element.) Richard Johnson as head researcher Dr. Markway (Montague in the book...again, why the change?), Claire Bloom as the (subtly inferred lesbian) ESP practitioner, and Russ Tamblyn as the house's brash young owner, all excel in their roles here; Wise's direction is masterful and impeccable; Nelson Gidding's screenplay is both ingenious and witty; and Humphrey Searle's score gives me goosebumps every time I think of it. Filmed in gorgeously creepy B&W and featuring Oscar-worthy art/set decoration, the picture is truly brilliant in every department. As the original trailer so correctly put it, "You may not believe in ghosts, but you can't deny terror." Like the book on which it is based, "The Haunting" is a genuine work of art.
The greatest ghost movie ever made... period.
robert-259-2895423 October 2014
I'm a die-hard fan of the supernatural, in all of its many forms. But after fifty-years of watching nearly every film of the genre, "The Haunting" remains my all-time favorite, dare I say, a "perfect" movie. This classic film should be rated TEN STARS, across the board. Here's why.
For any film to be considered "great," it must contain all of the elements required for this rare honor, and this one succeeds in spades, in every, single category. First, the cast. Remarkable. But perhaps this film belongs to the often underrated Julie Harris, ideal for the role of the tortured victim of the house, and the wonderfully conflicted, temporary roommate to Ms. Harris, Claire Bloom. The male lead of Dr. Markway was played to perfection by another British stage actor, Richard Johnson, who interestingly had just turned down the seminal role of James Bond, relinquishing the plum role to a young Sean Connery. The fourth member of the terrific ensemble was a young Russ Tamblyn, whose exuberance and disbelief in the supernatural lent an youthful note of sarcasm to the superb cast. The script by Nelson Gidding, based upon the book "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, was of equal quality, and the cinematography, in my opinion, was nothing less than masterful, utilizing lighting techniques and camera angles that still surpasses everything else in memory. But any great film requires the steady hand of an equally capable director, which they found in Robert Wise, one of the greatest directors in movie history. It was his concept to shoot the entire film in black-and-white, the touch of genius that brought an eerie, stark quality to the entire production that truly makes this movie stand out from all the others. But 'The Haunting's' true emotional impact rests in its total command of PSYCHOLOGICAL terror, in lieu of the typical blood and gore of its many, many predecessors. In fact, during the entire 2-hours, you never see a single ghost! Yet between the exquisite filming, taut acting, and simple sound effects, this remarkable film caused more wholesale screaming in its debut than any other "ghost movie" in memory. So grab your popcorn, turn up the volume, and prepare yourself to be scared out of your wits.
P. S. Don't waste your money on the reboot. Typical Hollywood CGI garbage, a complete waste of time.
For any film to be considered "great," it must contain all of the elements required for this rare honor, and this one succeeds in spades, in every, single category. First, the cast. Remarkable. But perhaps this film belongs to the often underrated Julie Harris, ideal for the role of the tortured victim of the house, and the wonderfully conflicted, temporary roommate to Ms. Harris, Claire Bloom. The male lead of Dr. Markway was played to perfection by another British stage actor, Richard Johnson, who interestingly had just turned down the seminal role of James Bond, relinquishing the plum role to a young Sean Connery. The fourth member of the terrific ensemble was a young Russ Tamblyn, whose exuberance and disbelief in the supernatural lent an youthful note of sarcasm to the superb cast. The script by Nelson Gidding, based upon the book "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, was of equal quality, and the cinematography, in my opinion, was nothing less than masterful, utilizing lighting techniques and camera angles that still surpasses everything else in memory. But any great film requires the steady hand of an equally capable director, which they found in Robert Wise, one of the greatest directors in movie history. It was his concept to shoot the entire film in black-and-white, the touch of genius that brought an eerie, stark quality to the entire production that truly makes this movie stand out from all the others. But 'The Haunting's' true emotional impact rests in its total command of PSYCHOLOGICAL terror, in lieu of the typical blood and gore of its many, many predecessors. In fact, during the entire 2-hours, you never see a single ghost! Yet between the exquisite filming, taut acting, and simple sound effects, this remarkable film caused more wholesale screaming in its debut than any other "ghost movie" in memory. So grab your popcorn, turn up the volume, and prepare yourself to be scared out of your wits.
P. S. Don't waste your money on the reboot. Typical Hollywood CGI garbage, a complete waste of time.
Scariest movie ever
grrshimaD25 September 2005
There is no blood, there is no slashing, today this would be rated "G." But, this is the scariest movie, ever. Every time I watch this masterpiece (and I have watched it over 50 times), I see or hear something new.
The density of the black and white is incredible. The camera angles and reflection shots are unsettling. The score is appropriately terrifying, from the ringing of tiny bells to the cannon ball rocking down the hall.
The cast is excellent. The direction superb. This is horror at the peak of perfection--it is in your mind. The only thing better is to read the book by Ms. Jackson on a dark night when you are all alone, and "far from town." As Stephen King said about Shirley Jackson, "She never had to shout." Mr. Wise is to be credited with bringing her whispers to the screen.
Rent this for Halloween. Or, own it forever. I still have trouble getting to sleep after I watch this.
The density of the black and white is incredible. The camera angles and reflection shots are unsettling. The score is appropriately terrifying, from the ringing of tiny bells to the cannon ball rocking down the hall.
The cast is excellent. The direction superb. This is horror at the peak of perfection--it is in your mind. The only thing better is to read the book by Ms. Jackson on a dark night when you are all alone, and "far from town." As Stephen King said about Shirley Jackson, "She never had to shout." Mr. Wise is to be credited with bringing her whispers to the screen.
Rent this for Halloween. Or, own it forever. I still have trouble getting to sleep after I watch this.
The Mysterious Mansion...
Xstal18 February 2023
There's a house that sits atop an elevation, 90 years old, riven with cold, crooked damnation, uninhabited by the living, but surrounded by misgiving, not really sure, what's behind doors, but there's suspicion.
A curious anthropologist researching the paranormal gathers three souls who are sensitive to such things and envelopes them in surroundings simmering with the supernatural in the form of a haunted house on a hill (what more do you need). The cinematography is spectacular, all the performances outstanding, but you may struggle to keep your eyes of Claire Bloom in her prime. Watch it on a stormy night, on your own, with the lights out - if you dare!
A curious anthropologist researching the paranormal gathers three souls who are sensitive to such things and envelopes them in surroundings simmering with the supernatural in the form of a haunted house on a hill (what more do you need). The cinematography is spectacular, all the performances outstanding, but you may struggle to keep your eyes of Claire Bloom in her prime. Watch it on a stormy night, on your own, with the lights out - if you dare!
The Haunting Lingers in Memory Eternally
raymond_chandler25 August 2015
The Haunting (1963). Adapted from "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. Hollywood legend Robert Wise directs this disturbing tale of a fragile spinster who joins a paranormal researcher's on-site investigation of a notoriously haunted house. Julie Harris radiates naivete and terror in equal measure. 60s stalwarts Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, and Claire Bloom are her de facto family in a harrowing weekend of closing doors and phantom noises. This film is extremely unsettling and brilliantly filmed.
The relationship between Eleanor (Harris) and Theo (Bloom) in The Haunting provides an opportunity for camp to leak in, but Wise keeps everything strictly business. There is not a single frame in The Haunting that does not somehow either enhance the atmosphere or advance the plot. If you watch closely, you will see that they inverted some of the exterior shots from B&W to W&B just to create a more alien feel. The movie is rife with innuendo, but never crosses the line to self-parody.
Eleanor is a very tragic figure. Her lone attempt to control her own destiny results in unexpected acceptance and kinship that slowly gives way to fear. Julie Harris plays her as if she stopped maturing at age 10, when the poltergeist experience occurred. Her celibate status is due more to her childish attitude that sex is 'icky' (inferred from her relationships with Theo and Luke), than any lack of sex appeal.
The Haunting is set in the early 1960s, but the picture is timeless. The cinematography by Davis Boulton, editing by Ernest Walter, production design by Elliot Scott, and especially the music by Humphrey Searle are all top-quality. Its treatment of ghostly goings-on may not be to everyone's liking, but the synergy of technical elements with casting and script creates a thrilling, memorable experience for the audience.
"Whose hand was I holding?"
The relationship between Eleanor (Harris) and Theo (Bloom) in The Haunting provides an opportunity for camp to leak in, but Wise keeps everything strictly business. There is not a single frame in The Haunting that does not somehow either enhance the atmosphere or advance the plot. If you watch closely, you will see that they inverted some of the exterior shots from B&W to W&B just to create a more alien feel. The movie is rife with innuendo, but never crosses the line to self-parody.
Eleanor is a very tragic figure. Her lone attempt to control her own destiny results in unexpected acceptance and kinship that slowly gives way to fear. Julie Harris plays her as if she stopped maturing at age 10, when the poltergeist experience occurred. Her celibate status is due more to her childish attitude that sex is 'icky' (inferred from her relationships with Theo and Luke), than any lack of sex appeal.
The Haunting is set in the early 1960s, but the picture is timeless. The cinematography by Davis Boulton, editing by Ernest Walter, production design by Elliot Scott, and especially the music by Humphrey Searle are all top-quality. Its treatment of ghostly goings-on may not be to everyone's liking, but the synergy of technical elements with casting and script creates a thrilling, memorable experience for the audience.
"Whose hand was I holding?"
A psychological ghost story
Leofwine_draca18 September 2022
THE HAUNTING (1963) is a haunted house classic based on the novel by Shirley Jackson and one that plays out very differently from what you might expect. It's a subtle, internal, highly psychological drama that's more interested in the characters, particularly Eleanor, than on traditional spooks-and-chains ghostliness. It's a slow burner for sure, but I found myself fully immersed in its offbeat and fragile world.
Robert Wise's black and white direction is the stand-out here, bringing to life the weirdness of hill house in a uniquely-crafted way. Julie Harris gives the stand-out performance with a layered and nuanced turn, but the others shine too, from Richard Johnson's no-nonsense parapsychologist to Russ Tamblyn's comic relief and Claire Bloom's ahead-of-her-time lesbian character. A couple of sequences rank among the scariest in all cinema and the ending a real gut punch too.
Robert Wise's black and white direction is the stand-out here, bringing to life the weirdness of hill house in a uniquely-crafted way. Julie Harris gives the stand-out performance with a layered and nuanced turn, but the others shine too, from Richard Johnson's no-nonsense parapsychologist to Russ Tamblyn's comic relief and Claire Bloom's ahead-of-her-time lesbian character. A couple of sequences rank among the scariest in all cinema and the ending a real gut punch too.
The Haunting (1963) **
JoeKarlosi29 August 2006
I like Robert Wise as a director a good deal of the time (THE BODY SNATCHER; THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN). But only recently did I finally get around to seeing this so-called horror classic called THE HAUNTING, and it was quite underwhelming for me, unfortunately. I have always appreciated subtle and atmospheric horror flourishes and they're not typically lost on me; I really enjoyed the opening and the first half hour or so, where we are introduced to the quirky characters (particularly the neurotic Eleanor) and to the creepy Hill House, with all its spooky history and grandeur. And then the talk, talk, talk set in, with not much else to sustain my interest. This is considered possibly THE greatest "haunted house" film of them all, but that is a consensus of opinion I just can't share. For me, James Whale's THE OLD DARK HOUSE (1932) still takes that honor. ** out of ****
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