The Haunting [Blu-ray]

I figured this classic film would not really scare me as it used to. I remember seeing it as a child & it was terrifying to me. What I found was, it was still interesting & the acting excellent. It has a the feel of a ghost story told by the fireside. But terrifying?--Not so much... Still the special effects are pretty impressive for 1963--or any time. Its tons better than the terrible re-make, for sure. Interesting to realize that Claire Blooms character was supposed to be gay. I certainly did not pick up on that as a kid! I can only recommend it to those who like CLASSIC horror films. If you are only into super-scary Wan-types, you might find it too boring. At the worst, laughable. Julie Harris is VERY whiny,defensive & not as sympathetic as I remembered her. Shes like a less-likeable Laura from The Glass Menagerie( a film she was also in)

The original 1963 The Haunting is a masterpiece of suspense. The opening narration, when we learn of the evil history of Hill House, sets the tone for the whole picture (Its a house that was BORN bad!). Its nearly impossible NOT to get the shivers when listening to the opening act of the film. We dont see any floating spirits, and we dont get to see a dozen or so teenagers chopped into mince meat either. And thats the beauty of it! Our imaginations are brought to the forefront throughout this whole movie. Excellent black-and-white photography and some chilling music add to the eerie proceedings, plus some fine acting is on tap as well. Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, Claire Bloom, and Russ Tamblyn are the four principal actors, portraying the researchers who invade Hill House, the very intimidating dwelling that dominates The Haunting. A fine, subtle acting performance is also turned in by Rosalie Crutchley (as Mrs. Dudley, the housekeeper who refuses to stay in the house after dark -- I leave before the dark comes ... in the night ... in the dark). Mrs. Dudley conveys a feeling of dread and fear of the very house she oversees during the daylight hours. The scene where she first meets Eleanor and smiles at her briefly is a truly creepy moment. The film is replete with such subtle moments of understated foreboding. Ive not been able to figure out, however, just WHO (or WHAT) Mrs. Dudley has been keeping house for (and serving meals to) during all those days and months prior to the visit of Eleanor and company. Because if nobody lives in Hill House, then why is there even a need for a housekeeper and her caretaker husband? Has she been serving only...ghosts...all this time? Supernatural food for thought? The Warner DVD version of 1963s The Haunting (which was released on August 5, 2003) contains a very nice-looking Anamorphic Widescreen transfer of the movie, in its original scope aspect ratio of 2.35:1. Its great being able to see the film in its intended screen shape. Im guessing that many fans of this flick have never seen it in Widescreen. That fact alone makes the DVD worthy of purchase. Special Features on the DVD are a tad thin, being limited to: a multi-participant Audio Commentary Track, the Theatrical Trailer, a Stills Gallery, and a brief text-only essay that focuses on the history of Hollywood horror flicks (entitled Things That Go Bump In The Night). The Audio Commentary features six people, including all four main actors from the film, plus the nearly 90-year-old Producer-Director, Robert Wise. You dont very often get a Commentary Track which sports ALL of the main characters (plus the Director) of a particular film -- especially a film that was made so long ago, like this one. The Stills Gallery is broken into two sections, with one segment consisting of images of pages from Director Robert Wises Original Screenplay (including some handwritten notations in the margins). A pretty nice Photo Gallery is also featured here, with a few behind-the-camera shots included as well. The trailer for The Haunting survives here in quite good condition after lo these many years since the pictures initial release on September 18, 1963. The picture quality for the trailer isnt as blemish-free as the feature film itself, but it still looks nice. And the trailer, which runs for approx. 2.5 minutes, is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen as well. Its an effective and well-done trailer too, IMO. Nice and creepy. A final piece of Haunting advice...... Sidestep the 1999 remake, and stick to the original 1963 version of The Haunting. No better haunted-house movie has ever been produced, in my opinion. Id highly recommend snapping up a copy of this DVD. .... And be prepared for that whopper of a beginning.

Reading these reviews has been as fascinating as watching the movie. Thank you, Amazon, for providing this space and making the movie available. The real comparisons to this movie are stage-classics like No Exit (Sartre), Bernarda Alba (Lorca) and The Heiress (Henry James). None of these are ghost-stories, which proves that The Haunting works perfectly well as a psychological drama - indeed, it is one of the best. But the supernatural element gives it added oomph. The Haunting has several advantages over other horror-movies: 1. it works from the literate Shirley Jackson novella, not from some Stephen King potboiler; 2. top-notch acting by people who can hold their own on either stage or screen; 3. dazzling expressionist photography and subliminal technique -seen out of the corner of your eye. Right now it is hard to find people who have heard of this movie. Ninety years from now, The Haunting will be recognized for the pinnacle of achievement it really is a masterpiece of classical drama and photography. (...)

AWESOME FOR ITS DAY.. I LOVE IT... A MUST SEE... BEFORE YOU SEE THE REMAKE...

Loved this movie....for the 1960s this was pretty good. They way the story is told and NO special effects, creates a very good, old-fashioned ghost story. Love the character of Luke. I know Ill watch it more than once or twice! I dont think it was over-acted like some of the older movies are. The characters were convincing and engaging....and I got goosebumps a couple of times!

I enjoy this version best. No CGI but definitely is frightening.

One of my favorite movies. Intense without resorting to cheesy monsters or gratuitous gore.

A wonderful take on a truly great movie. Shirley Jackson knew how to write a story that kept you on the edge of your seat. No sex. No violence. It can be done, but I fear fewer writers know how.

I also saw this movie as a youngster on TV - Saturday Night at the Movies. It made me lose my chocolate cake at bedtime. Great because its a psychological/paranormal film versus a violent, bloody movie.

Great movie