Review of The Haunting (1963) by Spencer S — 04 Apr 2011

The reason the original film worked so much better than the remake is because the fear was all supposed to be based on what you couldn't see, what your mind could dream up when your eyes are at rest from CGI special effects and gross out blood splatter.

Instead of being an overly wrought, plot conundrum like the remake, the simplicity of the original Haunting, is that there is no main ghost, but instead a satanic house designed by a cruel man. There's also no reasoning towards why some residents of the house fall down staircases, others commit suicide, and still others become elderly recluses.

As it draws in the nubile and innocent character of Eleanor (Harris) it becomes more than just her becoming more and more afraid of her imminent fate, but her attachment to a home for herself after years of taking care of an ill and abusive mother.

The ending is almost happy, yet bittersweet, because though Eleanor is not an altogether likable character (much like Stephen King's Carrie) she is looking for a feeling of belonging that everyone can relate to.

Psychological, and gut wrenching to watch, this scared me into insomnia.