Based on the deliciously frightening novel "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson, "The Haunting" was directed by film genius Robert Wise, director of such amazing films as "West Side Story" and "The Sound of Music." Coming from such a jubilant genre, you wouldn't think that Wise would step up to direct a horror film. "The Haunting" is a perfect 10 and brings chills to the spine each time you watch it, especially at night.
Eleanor "Nell" Lance, Theodora, and Luke Sanderson have been invited to join Dr. John Markway in an investigation of paranormal activity. Where? The infamous Hill House, the home of the ill-fated Crain family. Hill House is described as "a house that was born bad." And the group is there to find out if it really is a haunted house. Out of all four people, Eleanor is the one that feels that she belongs in Hill House, as if the mansion was calling her name all along. Soon, the group's questions will be answered...in frightening ways!
"The Haunting" works so well because it's what great ghost stories are all about. First off, there's atmosphere. When we first see Hill House, we are immediately creeped out and thrown into a nightmare from which there is no escape.
Next up, you got a perfect psychological horror movie formula: What you don't see is scarier than what you do see. And Wise aims to keep that formula throughout the film. You never see any ghosts, and there is very little on-screen violence. The movie is done through shadow, and noises, including the infamous "bedroom" scene which still freaks me out every time, and there is the "breathing door" sequence that is enough to give you nightmares for weeks.
Finally, there's suspense. The movie unfolds slowly as each supernatural event gets more bizarre and terrifying each time, and that is how you do a great psychological horror film.
The cast give jobs well-done. Julie Harris is remarkable as Eleanor. You're not quite sure if the character is descending into madness or if she really is experiencing this supernatural phenomena. Claire Bloom is also very entertaining as the feisty and sexy Theodora. Russ Tamblyn is fine as Luke, and the same goes for Richard Johnson as Markway.
"The Haunting" proves that you don't need special effects to scare the hell out of the viewer. Just put them in a dark place, start them off with a few strange noises, and you've got them frightened for life. Avoid the monstrosity of a remake, and stick with this wonderfully old-fashioned ghost story that is sure to stick with you. I'll close it off with a classic quote from the film.
Dr. John Markway: "Hill House stood for 90 years, and might stand for 90 more...and whatever walked there walked alone."
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