Psychological Supernatural Horror Defined (The Haunting (DVD))

Member Name: BlackSwan

Product:	The Haunting (DVD)
Date:	06/09/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Demonstrates why when it comes to scaring seeing isn't always the most effective of the senses

Disadvantages: None unless you ONLY like your horror gory and violent

From what I have read on here some of these reviews have got muddled up with the god-awful re-make, which has reduced what should be a uniform five star rating. For the record, my review is most definitely centred on the classic 1963 chiller.

Based on Shirley Jackson's equally scary and atmospheric novel, "The Haunting of Hill House", published just four years previously, "The Haunting" tells the story of four very different people who agree to stay the night together at Hill House as part of an investigation into the supernatural headed by the mysterious Dr Markaway (Dr Montague in the novel). Rather than focusing on ghosts as such, the supernatural evil stems from the house itself. This is then connected to the vulnerable character Eleanor who has a troubled past. You hear the expression "psychological horror" or "thriller" banded around a lot, but "The Haunting" really is a perfect representation of this genre.

Stephen King once listed the film "The Haunting" amongst the best horror movies of all time in his non-fiction discussion on the horror genre, "Dance Macabre". He also compared it to a radio play, pointing out that fear is very effectively generated by what you can't see. Indeed, this excellent supernatural thriller proves that your imagination still can't be matched by any level of special effects.

The film's strengths are numerous to say the least. Atmosphere is superbly created by the setting in Ettington Park Hotel, one of my most favourite haunts and a strong cast ensures a creepy sense of empathy for the characters.

A must buy for people who can appreciate high class horror. Don't even bother with the remake!

Summary: An atmospheric and genuinely chilling experience in classic horror