The Haunting

Rating:
Summary: Good movie, but c'mon now....
Review: I remember watching "The Haunting" on the old ABC Sunday Night Movie in 1964. I was a five-year-old child then and I must admit it scared me to the point that I wanted to purchase it as an adult. Sadly, upon my recent viewing, I was put-off by all the endless rambling Eleanor runs through in her mind. I found the movie extremely slow-moving and with very few genuine chills. Granted, I still enjoy the peering wall on the second-night scene, and I noticed something I had never seen before, perhaps everyone else already noticed this but I never had. I was plesantly surprised to notice that prior to the second night's haunting, the director cuts to an outdoor shot which shows the house from ground level looking up as the clouds pass by. Has everyone noticed that in the upper, right-hand corner, one of the clouds is in fact a ghost? I hadn't until recently, but I did think it was a clever, and subtle effect. But in general, with the exception with the start I got as Eleanor was on the upper railing, and driving down the road, I was sadly a bit disappointed with my recent viewing.

Rating:
Summary: The thinking person's ghost story
Review: There is a significant difference between a ghost movie and a horror movie, and even more between these and the simple splatter movie. "The Haunting" is most definitely a ghost story, its impact being derived from atmospheric black and white photography, used to depict scenes in which frightening events are suggested, but always hidden from view. This is a film which forces you to look over your shoulder for horrors which you have been convinced are following silently in your shadow. "The Haunting" will not appeal to you if you are looking for blood and gore, but if you appreciate the stories of M.R. James or Le Fanu then you will love this film.

Rating:
Summary: An All-time Classic Horror/Thriller!
Review: The original 1963 version of "The Haunting" is definitely the greatest classic horror/thriller made! The brilliant directing by Robert Wise created the terror for the viewer by stimulating the imagination, NOT exclusively through visuals. I have always been a Horror film & book fanatic--(there have really been some great ones, such as "The Exorcist", "Nightmare on Elm Street", and some choice Steven King & Anne Rice novels)-- but I must admit that after seeing "The Haunting" as a child, I have considered it the most frightening by far!!!! The current remake that's out is good (nice visuals) but doesn't come even close to being as frightening as the original. Robert Wise's version is definitely a MUST SEE! (The "G" rating should be reconsidered, though)

Rating:
Summary: Not the Scariest, but has all the right ingredients!
Review: If you expect to be scared out of your mind, watch "The Exorcist". But this older film ( like The Exorcist ) has the right idea. Ghost movies are scariest when it seems possible. Hollywood doesn't realize this! Lately scary movies have been more like monster movies. People get chased by some strange creature. These movies might as well be Godzilla. The Haunting is different! It has sounds of banging against the walls, voices, footsteps. All these things can always transfer as a probable phenomena in your own home. This is why it is scary. Likewise, The Exorcist made it graphic and possible by bringing in religion, demons, and devils. When it seems probable it's always scarier than monsters. Ghost movies should not be science fiction or monster-like. Those films can create suspense, but they do not instill fear of the unknown. Ghost movies should bring the audience as close to the probable unknown as possible. Imagine a funeral scene and a haunted house with spirits and demons. Now that's a theme for a scary movie. Here in the Haunting, you get the probable. Unfortunately, it's not as graphic as The Exorcist.

Rating:
Summary: Scared me then, scares me now!
Review: I vividly remember watching this movie when it first came out with a girlfriend; we had to walk home that night from the theater (and you can believe we were looking over our shouders). I was able to buy the video a few years ago and, periodically, have watched it and freaked myself out. I have made it my mission to turn as may people as I can onto the original version, as I am less than enthralled with the remake (the sets & special effects were fantastic, but hey, that doesn't make a great movie!!) In fact, my video version is in circulation; I just hope I get it back (I'd better!!)

Rating:
Summary: i'll never forget it
Review: I can remember being at my aunt's house in San Mateo and her renting this video. I can still see the pounding walls and the turning doorknob. i just saw the remake; it was scary in its own way, but incomparable to the orginal. I'm gonna rent it again!

Rating:
Summary: The scariest movie I've ever seen!
Review: I've seen lots of mystery and horror movies, but none that gave me the creeps like this one. No matter how many times I've seen it it's still frightening. Based on the book by Shirley Jackson, who is an underappreciated author. (You might know her from her short story "The Lottery.") I saw "The Haunting" remake over the weekend, and it was bad; can't hold a candle to the original.

Rating:
Summary: See the REAL Haunting!!!
Review: Forget the cr@ppy version that just came out-this one is the only one to watch!! With chills and thrills that you will leave you begging for more, this is a video experience you will never forget!! This video just goes to prove that nothing lives up to the original, so the movie big wigs might as well not waste their time on the horrible remake and re-release this little gem to the theatres.

Rating:
Summary: The scariest thing happen when you least expect them!!!
Review: As a really big fan of horror/Suspense, this is my favorite horror, and I have seen every horror movie made. The suspense in the movie keeps you guessing what's going to happen next. Not knowing what is going to happen next puts the horror into the movie. Hill House alone, makes the movie scary. It's really not what the house looks like, it's what the house does. This movie will give you the scare of your life!!!!

Rating:
Summary: SCARY........................
Review: I saw this movie in grammer school. They showed it to the 7th and 8th graders (this was 1972) in the gymnasium. This movie was not appropriate for school even though it carried a G rating. As a parent I certainly would have questioned the viewing of a horror flick for entertainment or educational purposes. However, in a whole I was so scared I never forgot the movie. I am contimplating whether to watch it again after 27 years.