The Haunting

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular new print
Review: I sat down to watch The Hauting on TCM last night, wondering if I really wanted to watch this for about the 75th time. I am very glad I did, because the print they showed was utterly spectacular. I see from the site the DVD is not available, but this version almost certainly was a DVD. In any case it was like watching the movie for this first time, and what a pleasure that was.

It was an incredible wide screen cinemascope view, razor sharp with superb sound. The lighting and black and white photography were absolutely stunning. The sound was excellent; I heard sounds I have never heard before.

Robert Osbourne, in his introduction, revealed that Robert Wise used a lens that introduced a slight distortion to the entire movie. Indeed, the entire film had a slightly "off" look that was rather disorienting, in keeping with the nature of the house!

Throughtout this screening, all my attention was on the incredible cinematography of this movie. Only know do I really see this movie for the masterpiece it is - I thought I already knew. I didn't think I could be scared by this movie after so many years, but I actually was.

If you haven't seen The Haunting you are missing the best "haunted house" story ever made. And if you haven't seen this version, you still haven't seen it. Can anyone enlighten me about what prints/DVD versions may be available for purchase or rent?

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies ever!
Review: This is the only movie that really scared me as a child, and the only one that continues to do so. Gorgeous in black and white; it would look stupid in color (as the re-make does). Now I a saving up my pennies in hopes that I will be able to afford to order (and transcribe) the widescreen PAL VHS from amazon.co.uk.

Rating:
Summary: "And We Who Walk Here, Walk Alone..."
Review: Psychic spinster Eleanor Vance (Julie Harris) is invited to spend a weekend in America's most notorious haunted house, Hill House, to share her feelings and observations in a study being conducted there by parapsychologist Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson). Along for the ride are lesbian psychic Theodora (Claire Bloom) and alcoholic Hill House heir Russ Tamblyn, who are later joined by Markway's unwisely headstrong wife (Lois Maxwell). Eleanor's recent history eerily echoes that of the house's last tenant, and over the group's stay, the house seems to progressively more insistently extend an invitation for Eleanor to become one of its more permanent residents...

This movie is flawless. Robert Wise's direction is sure and steady, making the most of light and shadow and sound effects, utilizing them to create an unbearably tense atmosphere of terrifying expectancy. He makes the house itself the central star of the story, filming it from cockeyed angles that make it appear to be voyeuristically watching its occupants, throughout. Nelson Gidding's adaptation of Shirley Jackson's famous novel streamlines it to maximum dramatic effect, and the music score is haunting and downright unsettling. The actors are fabulous, and the action and suspense never flag for a second.

Simply the best - don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: From the VHS of this title
Review: This is a far superior version than its remake. It shows a woman tormented by what she believes to be an insignificant life until the death of her mother. Then she is touched by an inspiration which brings her to an old mansion where she feels adventurous and welcome. The house gives her life purpose and comfort. She is finally consumed by the spirit of the house. I found this much more "haunting" than the modern version which tried to put an involved story with and ending to something which needed no ending; and in fact would not have had a Hollywood ending in real life.

Rating:
Summary: Scared the stuffing out of me!
Review: This is my all time favorite ghost story, and like a good Hitchcock thriller, it keeps you on the edge of your seat, and jumping at every bump in the night until it's over. Julie Harris is excellent as Eleanor! The movie stays true to the novel, and the black and white film keeps it edgy and completely spooky!

Rating:
Summary: The Haunting
Review: With much anticipation, I went to see the remake of this classic horror flick, and came away feeling that they had ruined such a great movie for all that had not experienced the original. Such classic scenes as when Elinor experiences the tremendous squeezing of her hand from an unknown hand assailant, and the explanation of the reason why the House is sooooo bad are just lost in the techno fun house remake. Please release this fine classic on DVD!!! I'm Waiting...........

Rating:
Summary: The Haunting
Review: Looking square on at the film nothing really happens and your just watching a woman drive herself nuts over nothing. The Haunting feels like a German arthouse film with characters that would be welcomed with open arms by Dieter on the SNL skit Schprockets. They are paranoid or creepy and sometimes mean or irritating. I am one of the unfortunate few who look at the happenings in Hill House and see nothing scary going on at all. Julie Harris' character is just imagining the whole thing in her head so why is this scary? A very old staircase rattles and is about to maybe fall only because the bolts are very loose, there is a cold spot and its made pretty clear in the supernatural bulging door and crying wallpaper were imagined. But somehow most people seem to feel there really is something haunted at Hill House and find the movie extremely creepy and outright scary. So I have to give the movie its props for trying to make a film that thinks what is scary is only what goes on in your head. Its a good idea and for those it works for more power to them.
If this movie for you is boring or just too odd and after reading the reviews here you are left wondering if all the people here are as tippy as Julie Harris is in this film, try looking into "The Uninvited". It is the perfect antitoxin to The Haunting.

Rating:
Summary: What could be better
Review: I saw the movie back in the 70's, bought the book, read other
S. Jackson stories, bought the VHS, saw it over and over. The
only thing that better the experience of "The Haunting" is if
it will come out in DVD in widescreen format.

Rating:
Summary: Claustrophobic and hateful of humanity
Review: This is the most influential movie I've ever seen. A must see for tradjectly twisted, hopeless romantics who love a good ghost story. The unseen will always be more frightening in the dark than a slasher with a knife.

Rating:
Summary: The Haunting
Review: One heck of a frightening film. Robert Wise who also directed the Day the Earth Stood Still directed this ultimate in all ghost stories, a real classic! The cast, script, and cinematography along with the direction by Robert Wise makes The Haunting unsurpassed! If you haven't seen this film, see it! If you haven't seen this film in a while, it's time to see it again!
If you've seen this and don't care for it, then it's time to view this film with with an open mind! But be careful or that shut door in your mind will be ripped right off it's hinges! If you've seen this film over and over again (like I have), it's time to see it again! The Haunting; Unsurpassed of all ghost stories!