Tags
1960's, Claire Bloom, Horror, Julie Harris, Psychological Horror, Richard Johnson, Robert Wise, Russ Tamblyn, Supernatural Horror, The Haunting
Film Title
The Haunting
Director
Robert Wise
Starring
- Julie Harris as Eleanor
- Claire Bloom as Theo
- Richard Johnson as Dr. John Markway
- Russ Tamblyn as Luke Sannerson
The Haunting has been called one of the most unsettling, psychological horror films ever made. And after viewing it I can wholeheartedly agree with that statement. Chilling, eerie and above all scary, The Haunting is a fine example of what you can do with a horror movie without using blood and gore. Focusing on characters and the ultimate nature of fear, it still provides spine-chilling for those who watch it. A word of warning, Don’t watch this one alone!
Hill House is a famous old house in a remote part of New England that was built ninety odd years ago. The history of Hill House is littered with shocking events, with the mysterious deaths of at least four women occurring over the years. The house has now passed to an elderly woman named Mrs. Sannerson. Dr. John Markway is a scientist with an interest in the supernatural and upon learning about Hill House’s chilling past, inquires about conducting an investigation of the place. Assisting him is Eleanor, a meek woman who recently lost her mother to illness, Theo; a stylish and eccentric medium( who it is strongly implied has feelings for Eleanor) and Luke, the skeptical nephew of Mrs. Sannerson who stands to inherit the house. They all arrive at the house and quickly get to know one another. At first nothing happens, but little by little the creepy surrounding take hold. Loud banging is heard in the night. A child screaming echoes round the walls. A chill drifts through the air. This throws our characters into a tailspin as they attempt to understand the source of terror. All the while, the meek Eleanor begins to mentally crumble as the realm of the supernatural begins to take hold and the patient evil of Hill House unleashes itself upon the quartet, in particular Eleanor. Prepare for shocks galore, unseen terror and terrifying consequences as The Haunting takes hold and refuses to let go.
The first thing to praise in The Haunting is the overall visual style that plunges the viewer deep into the psychological terror that is brought on whilst the characters are in Hill House. Robert Wise utilises distorted angles, fish eyes lenses and unusual tracking shots. All of this further adds to the sheer scariness of the material. Also, keeping the source of terror unseen lets the audience make up for their own mind what is really haunting the house. This is the kind of horror movie I enjoy, with hardly any bloodshed but scares a plenty. The Haunting burrows deep into the mind and it will be weeks before you will not have to look over your shoulder to see if someone is there. Chilling sequences abound such as when Eleanor hears loud banging and believes she is holding Theo’s hand. When she switches the light on, someone has clearly been holding her hand but it isn’t Theo. Eleanor’s mental state beginning to decline is expertly conveyed through an internal monologue. Hearing her thoughts as she attempts to stay sane is frightening and highly effective to watch. The score for The Haunting contributes a Gothic atmosphere to the proceedings and the use of extended silences and sudden noises is terror personified.
Unusually for a horror film, the characters are integral and establishing their personalities is a crucial part to The Haunting. The relatively small cast all create interesting characters. Julie Harris makes the biggest impact with her performance as Eleanor, we see the terror, uncertainty and inner suffering as she comes to believe the house is after her. A lot of the horror in the picture is captured through her terrified eyes. Claire Bloom contributes a mysterious and eccentric quality to the character of the clairvoyant Theo. The fact that Theo is implied to be a lesbian adds an interesting dimension to the story as we see her jealousy at the affection between Markway and Eleanor and we see the shy Eleanor becoming more conflicted with her emotions as a result of this. The Haunting, released in the 60’s when talk of lesbianism was taboo, shows itself as being quite daring for the inclusion of Theo’s character. Richard Johnson is suitably intense as the one who sets up the investigation. Russ Tamblyn, as the skeptical nephew who comes to see the horror of the house he will one day inherit, adds a youthful, non-believing quality that soon withers as the evil of the house encroaches.
In the run up to Halloween, The Haunting is a film you should watch. Prepare for terror, ambiguity and things that go bump in the night as The Haunting weaves its chilling spell upon you.
Colin said:
Unsettling is certainly the right word for this film. It’s one of the creepiest movies ever made, a masterpiece of slow burning horror that stays with you long after the credits roll.
The older I get, the more I appreciate these moody efforts where cheap shocks, which only really work on the first viewing anyway, are dispensed with in favor of a kind of gradually encroaching sense of dread.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, it most certainly is one of the creepiest movies I’ve ever seen.
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Cavershamragu said:
Great write-up Vinnieh – one of my favourite ghost stories and the great inheritor of the Val Lewton style – brilliantly handled by Wise who is usually seen at his best in claustrophobic stories of alienation. Must see this again – cheers mate..
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah now you mention it alienation plays a big part in the movies of Robert Wise.
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Cavershamragu said:
I always thought this would make a great companion piece to his version of THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN for instance. Without straining too much with the punning use of the word ‘alienation’ but it also applies to his STAR TREK movie it seems to me which also plays a bit like a haunted house movie, as does his HINDENBURG film – well, that’s my theory anyway …
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Paul Bowler said:
Really like the Haunting, its such a brilliant film, with its brooding atmosphere and the dark spooky hallways of Hill House. Brilliant film for Halloween!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, yeah it is an excellent choice for the build up to Halloween.
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Paul Bowler said:
That’s right, I might have to give that a watch again for Halloween!
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butterflymumma said:
Ooh – good film. Haven’t thought about this one in years! I LOVE that it is so different from that OTHER great Russ Tamblyn film, West Side Story.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, glad you liked the review.
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Jack Flacco said:
I have to admit, I’ve never seen this. I’ve heard of it in my near and dear circle of friends, but I’ve never seen it either flipping the channels or during late night TV. If I’d catch it, it’d be during late night TV. Anyway, your post is making me want to pick up a copy to spin it in the player to see what it’s all about. I’m looking forward to it. Thanks for this writeup!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, glad my post has made you want to see it.
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Teepee12 said:
This isn’t merely my favorite horror movie. It’s also one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors. One of the few movies that does justice to its original books, by the way. It scared the pants off me when I first saw it many years ago and I don’t think there’s ever been a better ghost or haunting movie. It also proves that you don’t need a lot of fancy special effects, but you do need a good script, good actors, and a real director.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, totally agree with your point about not needing fancy special effects to create chills.
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Teepee12 said:
I also want to recommend the book. It’s really a short novel “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson. She was the original New England horror writer. Stephen King always lists her as one of the authors who most influenced him. The audiobook is really fine, too.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the heads up I will try and find the book.
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steviegill said:
Despite being a big horror fan, I’ve never actually gotten round to watching this. Thanks for the reminder!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, if you’re a horror fan I’m sure you’ll enjoy this movie.
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Victor De Leon said:
Fantastic review. I hold this film in very high regard. Wise is one of my favorite directors and he was really on to something with his approach to Jackson’s tale. That opening has to be hands down the creepiest prologue to any horror film ever.
The film never has to rely on loud shock music, jump scares, or hokey cgi like the remake, to be scary. It is all sounds, shadows and suggestions. Such a classic. Full of dark mood and stylish dread. This haunted house film is one of a kind. Good job, once again!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, it is such a classic. I agree about the opening, it is one of the most chilling and unforgettable that I’ve ever seen.
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table9mutant said:
I really need to watch this one someday… Great review. 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Let me know what you think if you manage to see it. It’s a great movie to watch in the run up to Halloween.
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nuwansenfilmsen said:
Once again a really nice review from you.
True too much blood and gore only makes a movie visually disgusting and sometimes silly and laughable. The good old days of psychological Horror films are no more. And camera tricks of the past, especially in B/W horror films, was something unique.
I haven’t seen this film yet, but sounds interesting.
Talking of lesbianism being a taboo in the 60’s, Have you seen ‘The Children’s Hour’ (1961), starring Audrey Hepburn & Shirley MacLaine ??? Now that’s a really bold flick to come out back then.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, I’ll have to check out the Children’s hour.
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Teepee12 said:
Anonther forgotten great one; TURN OF THE SCREW. All mental, YOU make your own pictures and they are scarier than anything the director could throw at you.
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vinnieh said:
Yeah I remember Turn of the Screw, so psychologically chilling.
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Teepee12 said:
Lillian Hellman, I think. She was very very bold.
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Meanderer said:
I remember watching this as a teenager many years ago and was absolutely terrified afterwards! I even remember writing about it!
I love your review and agree about it being a great film for Halloween. Thank you for the reminder!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the comment, I watched it years ago and on rewatching it was still terrified.
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dullwood68 said:
Hi Vinnieh – Great review of a great movie and easily the scariest, most effective ghost story ever filmed. It’s a movie I plan to review myself one day, and hovers just outside my Top 10 movies. It’s the perfect combination of story, direction, acting, and atmosphere – and just couldn’t be made as effectively today at all. Keep up the good work!
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vinnieh said:
I look forward to reading your review in the future. Thanks for the positive notice.
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Emilio Pasquale said:
Great! This film has stayed with me for years- since I first saw it. It is my all time favorite scary, horror movie. I love that they didn’t have to resort to the obvious to scare the wits out of the audience. My favorite scene has always been the hand holding scene you refer to and I wish you hadn’t mentioned the pay off. But even knowing what happens doesn’t affect the impact of the scene after multiple viewings. I have now read only two of your reviews and I’m hooked . I’ll be back!
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vinnieh said:
It’s one of those movies that leaves all the horror up to your imagination and interpretation. Thanks for the encouragement, I look forward to seeing you around my site.
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beetleypete said:
Thanks for reminding me about this one. I haven’t seen it in an age, but remember it was very disturbing.
Regards, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
What’s most disturbing is that ambiguity. We are never told what exactly has a hold over the house, it may just be that it is evil. But who knows?
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Purpleanais said:
I have to tell you, your blog has THE best film reviews. How funny I would never have found out about it if it wasn’t for you visiting my blog – I’m so glad you did 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Your comment has truly made my day. Thank you so much for being so kind to me.
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Purpleanais said:
Oh, I’m a kind person but mostly, I’m honest. I never say anything I don’t mean, not even for kindness’ sake 🙂
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vinnieh said:
I admire when people are honest and don’t go around the houses.
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Purpleanais said:
That’s good because that’s exactly who I am 😉
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Purpleanais said:
Oh, I forgot to say: I love this movie.
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vinnieh said:
It’s a classic of psychological horror that makes perfect use of suggestion.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Excellent review Vinnie! I thought this was a perfect adaptation of one of my favorite Shirley Jackson novels!😊
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vinnieh said:
I consider this film one of the most unnerving I’ve ever seen as everything is done through suggestion.
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