Rating: 
Summary: 40 years and still haunting.
Review: It's a mark of a good ghost story when the rational explanation of the strange events depicted seems unacceptable. Such is the case of Robert Wise's *The Haunting*, in which the burden of proof is laid upon the skeptics. The movie is exceedingly well-adapted from Shirley Jackson's classic novel: somehow, in the process of shifting the emphasis from the reality of a malignant ghost to the probability of the main character's dementia, the supernatural element gains more credence. This is what adaptation is all about -- finding one's OWN vision in the source material without betraying that material. But Robert Wise has been doing this sort of thing ever since he was asked to salvage Welles' *Magnificent Ambersons* from utter destruction by RKO. (Along those lines, isn't it time this guy was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by those ditzes in the Academy? Or does Wise's achievement simply pale in comparison to the brilliance of, oh, say, Warren Beatty?) In any case, ghost stories were taken rather more seriously in the Sixties than they are today. The Sixties were a literally heady time when ESP and the paranormal were investigated -- with straight faces -- by the CIA and KGB. The idea of the human mind having limitless power, and the possibility of even tapping into the World Beyond with that power, seemed no more irrational than conceiving that man would walk on the moon someday. Therefore, *The Haunting* takes its haunting pretty seriously. Claire Bloom's Theodora, for instance, is introduced as a respected, well-nigh infallible psychic who has proven her abilities at Ivy League universities. The scientist (Richard Johnson) who is trying to prove once and for all whether or not supernatural forces like ghosts really exist, comes across as a completely rational person who seems willing to go along with the idea that it's all rubbish, if shown enough evidence. Russ Tamblyn provides the thoroughly skeptical anchor as the decadent playboy who stands to inherit Hill House. And then there's poor Eleanor, the main character, played by Julie Harris in a sort of Method haze that contrasts nicely with the more traditional acting styles of Bloom, Johnson, and Tamblyn. Harris does what she can with the part of the flighty spinster with a guilty conscience: there's a lot of Sixties-era inner turmoil that must be laboriously worked through (usually through voice-over interior self-questioning, e.g., "Am I going mad? No! I'm not mad; THEY'RE mad!", etc.). On the whole, though, Claire Bloom takes the acting honors as the aggressive lesbian -- dressed in icy black haute couture -- who's immediately smitten by her otherwise total opposite in Harris. This little side relationship is delineated with more sharp truth than you'd expect from films of this period: the catty sparring, followed by the tender solicitude, is priceless stuff. But when all is said and done, it's the scares that count in a movie like this, and -- rather amazingly -- *The Haunting* STILL scores in this category, particularly with the scenes where the main characters gaze in rapt horror at a closed door, from behind which thunders a deafening, ceaseless knocking. (The F/X involving the bulging door remains a nice touch, 40 years later.) My advice? Turn out the lights, pour a stiff drink, and watch this movie in all its newly-available widescreen glory -- I guarantee a good time. Just don't confuse this *Haunting* with the wretched remake that came out a couple of years ago, or you'll ruin your buzz.
Rating:
Summary: Best film of its kind
Review: Finally, Robert Wise's seminal haunted house film comes to DVD. And as a special treat, Wise himself reunites with most of the cast for an enjoyable commentary track. There's also a text-only essay on other spooky films, which is informative but far too brief.If you've never seen the movie, be warned: This is SUGGESTIVE horror. It's all about what is NOT seen (but occasionally HEARD, in some genuinely chilling scenes). It's a much a psychological study of the characters as a ghost story. But if you appreciate this kind of imaginative approaching to cinema, you're in for a scary good time.
Rating: 
Summary: So Not Scary it's Scary
Review: Okay, I realize I am going against the previous 200 something raving reviewers here but this movie was bad. I know, at the time the thought of making a horror film without showing one ghost was somewhat revolutionary. That part was fine. However, the plot, script, shaky acting, and the constant inner monologue drone by Julie Harris's character were more than enough to squeeze the life out of this film. The movie gets off to a great start - there's an exciting eery history of the house with great spooky vignettes (this all makes for a captivating setup)- but then it all goes down hill. It's so sad, too because the mood is set so damn well. Bottom line - no film can be scary with as much cheesy, punny dialogue (inner and outer) this film forces on you until the bitter and overly welcomed end.
Rating:
Summary: What you don't see, can scare you!
Review: I have always considered "The Haunting" one of the three best ghost films ever made. Along with "The Innocents" and "The Uninvited" these films have solid stories. This was most likely the 50th time I have seen this film but watching it on DVD was like watching it for the first time. I saw things that I never saw before. The picture quality is excellent, a true tribute to a great film. If you only see one classic ghost film you must see this one. It's hard to belive that the same man that directed "The Haunting" directed "The Sound Of Music". Robert Wise learned his trade well working along side of Val Lewton who directed the classics "Cat People" and "I Walked With a Zombie".
Rating:
Summary: What you don't see, can scare you!
Review: I have always considered "The Haunting" one of the three best ghost films ever made. Along with "The Innocents" and "The Uninvited" these films have solid storys. This was most likely the 50th time I have seen this film but watching it on DVD was like watching it for the first time. I saw things that I never saw before. The picture qaulity is excellent, a true tribute to a great film. If you only see one classic ghost film you must see this one. Its hard to belive that the same man that directed "The Haunting" directed "The Sound Of Music". Robert Wise learned his trade well working along side of Val Lewton who directed the classic's "Cat People" and "I Walked With a Zombie".
Rating:
Summary: HAIR RAISING
Review: I must say this is probably the best ghost story I have seen on film. The last time I watched it with my wife with the lights off, my hairs stood up! I cannot lay this claim to any other movie. Top notch. The remake is entertaining, but laughable.
Rating: 
Summary: great movie, needs more special features
Review: I have always loved this movie and was very excited to see it on dvd with an audio commentary from the actors. It is scary although you never see anything. Your imagination does everything for you. It is also much closer to the book than the cheesy 1999 version. I would have like to see more extra features. Maybe interviews with the cast so you can see what they look like now, or something of that nature. But other than that this movie is a must have for Halloween or late night frights. And fairly fun listening to the cast tell stories about making the film.
Rating:
Summary: Haunted house masterpiece comes to DVD
Review: Forget the recent cgi-infused, over-the-top remake! Robert Wise's 1963 THE HAUNTING is one of the scariest films ever made and the chills are achieved by masterful restraint, rich atmospheric black and white photography and subtle psychology. Today's younger audiences may be perplexed by the absense of visual effects - you never see a ghost or heads rolling around - but yet the film is scary because we are frightened by what we don't see! About the DVD: The image quality is good but a tad disappointing. Darker scenes (of which there are many) suffer the most as blacks are rendered a soft gray. Daylight outdoor scenes and indoor scenes that are well lit look terrific. There are also quite a few noticeable nicks and scratches. However, it is still far superior to vhs quality and it is good to see the film in its original wide screen format. A very interesting commentary features Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn, director Robert Wise, and screenwriter Nelson Gidding. Bloom and Tamblyn (and even Harris herself) talk about Harris's aloofness toward the other cast members (she was so deep into her part of the depressed Eleanor Vance that it overlapped into real life). The screenwriter talks about his initial interpretation of the script (he thought the haunting was purely psychological and not really happening - a point that writer Shirley Jackson told him he was wrong about). Director Wise talks about various aspects of the film, including how they achieved results on such a small budget. Other features include a gallery of stills and a brief essay on the history of haunted house movies. A must have for fans of the film!
Rating:
Summary: Scariest Movie ever, even better on DVD
Review: One of my favorite movies. Even better on DVD. Sound is just OK, but heck, that is just the way it was.
Since I know the movie so well, I absolutely loved the commentary track and all the insights it offered. Richard Johnson is a hoot when he discusses the movie.
My 10 year old watched the movie with me. He was pretty scared by the end. He had to sleep with me that night. But he loved it.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why more movies are not made these days in this style, without all the blood and gore. One of the other reviewers said it best. Watching the original made the remake look even more terrible than it was. Buy this DVD, it is rated G, so you can watch it with your kids, but they will be scared. Watch also for the lesbian undercurrent. It is there, as evidenced by Bob Wise's commmentary.
Rating:
Summary: Terror pure and simple
Review: A friend and I watched this on Halloween night when I was 24. I was terrified to turn out the light for the next three weeks. Part of me wonders why I should have been so scared, after all in "The Haunting" you never see a ghost, there is no blood and gore, no demons lurk waiting to scare you. And that's precisely why the movie is so scary. Robert Wise uses camera angles, sound effects and music to create one of the most terrifying movies of all time. The actors are all great. Julie Harris turns in a great performance as the narcissistic Eleanor, who feels the house is talking to her. Claire Bloom is radiant as the charismatic Theo, and Russ Tamblyn is fun as the token skeptic in the group. One of the most terrifying scenes in the film is the infamous scene when Eleanor and Theo are trapped in their rooms listening to the loud knocking at the door and are too terrified to move. It's a very frightening scene and one that will make you lock your door every night. Watch this one alone, in the dark if you want a truly nightmarish time.
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