Review of The Haunting (1963) by Paul P — 20 Jun 2007

It's a Good Thing Barns aren't Haunted Like This... :=8.

The Haunting is a somber, moody, stylish haunted house film, adapted from the marvelous Shirley Jackson story "The Haunting of Hill House". This film is another forgotten gem in a genre full of coal, proving yet again that spine-tingling horror does not need mad slashers, buckets of blood, or nubile teenagers. This is old school horror, where things really do go BUMP in the night; where you begin to suspiciously eye the walls around you while you watch. This moovie will make you walk quickly past every dark closet, every shadowed room, every black corner of your own house. Scientific studies at MooCow University have shown that electric bills increase following every viewing of this film, as lights in dark houses are switched on in terror! ;=8) Ok, enough hyperbole; the fact is The Haunting is first-rate, from the beautifully shot interiors to the palpable atmosphere and tension. Some of the actors do tend to ham it up a bit, particularly Clair Bloom, who's edgy, too-quirky performance borders on irritation. Overall, a very fine effort that all horror fans should see - especially late at night, alone in the house, with all the lights out, heehehehheheheheheheee!!!! ;=8).

The '99 remake is a perfect example of cow Hollybore simply has no idea how to make good moovies anymoore. Any fans of true, quality horror films owe it to themselves to dig up the original "The Haunting" - you'll be glad you did!

:=8D.