X
- 1963
- Approved
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- 1 h 52 m
- 1963
- Approved
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- 1 h 52 m
Summary A scientist doing research on the paranormal invites two women to a haunted mansion. One of the participants soon starts losing her mind.
Directed By: Robert Wise
Written By: Nelson Gidding, Shirley Jackson
- 1963
- Approved
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- 1 h 52 m
- 1963
- Approved
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- 1 h 52 m
The Haunting
74
7.3
Where to Watch
Summary A scientist doing research on the paranormal invites two women to a haunted mansion. One of the participants soon starts losing her mind.
Directed By: Robert Wise
Written By: Nelson Gidding, Shirley Jackson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
74
70% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
30% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
74
70% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
30% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
It's one of the most highly-wrought (indeed, overwrought) films ever made, with art direction, editing, sound effects, weird camera angles and lighting orchestrated to fill every frame with hints of the unsettling.
An elegantly sinister scare movie, literate and expensive, with those two fine actresses Claire Bloom and Julie Harris.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 33 User Ratings
7.3
64% Positive
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
33% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 33 User Ratings
7.3
64% Positive
21 Ratings
21 Ratings
33% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
3% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
This is my favorite supernatural horror movie of all time. Don't bother with the 1999 version as it's not even close. This black and white original does an incredible job of scaring you with what's not shown, even though there are some special effects that are amazing for 1963. The entire movie has such a great build up and ending. It is 100% a classic horror movie that you must absolutely see to understand what can be done without blood and guts. Turn out the lights, turn up the sound, and experience the masterful direction of Robert Wise at his prime.
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This film has a curiously unsettling feel to it, although it's undoubtedly a lot tamer than most horror films but that is hardly surprising. Of course, this is a film of its time, being in black and white and most of the scares coming from noises emanating from the old house - noises heard but not much physically shown, certainly in the first half of the film. The script/dialogue is good at times and the characters are mildly interesting. As a classic film, it's not bad. I imagine some people may have found it a bit sinister, primarily in terms of some of the imagery shown and the stories told during the plot. I thought the narration of the main character was quite good, hearing her thoughts while seeing her wander the house.
If your a fan of classic cinema, then yes, I'd recommend it.
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What makes the film so effective is not so much the slightly sinister characterisation of the generally neurotic group, but the fact that Wise makes the house itself the central character, a beautifully designed and highly atmospheric entity which, despite the often annoyingly angled camerawork, becomes genuinely frightening.
An undeniably effective adaptation of the Shirley Jackson novel and one of the best haunted-house movies.
Robert Wise's 1963 black-and-white 'Scope translation of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House was pretty effective when it came out, aided by Wise's skill as an editor.
The artful cinematic strokes of director Robert Wise and staff are not quite enough to override the major shortcomings of Nelson Gidding’s screenplay from the Shirley Jackson novel (The Haunting of Hill House).
In this movie version, directed by Robert Wise, the specter is slightly censored—what's left is just the usual commercial spirit. Whenever it appears, the violins on the sound track start to didder, doors open and shut by themselves, people stare about in terror and squeak: The house, it's alive! The picture, it's dead.
I can believe that this was scary in its time, but now it pales in every way, the supernatural atmosphere is pretty good and that's what kept me going and kept me interested and above all is what ends up keeping this movie in good level.
Nothing to do with what I expected but it was not bad either.
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Main lady gives one of the more certifiably insane on screen performances, well done by her.
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Worthwhile in only a purely historical context for me, Robert Wise's 1963 chiller "The Haunting" (Martin Scorsese's favorite horror film, by the way) features scary ideas, clever production design and a few neat camera tricks here and there. Aside from these components, though, this was a borderline chore for me to watch. The stuffy and confusing character work and almost infuriatingly unnecessary voice over really tried my patience at times. And with an ending that just sort of "happens" instead of "unfolds," I can safely say that I'm one of the miscreants that doesn't completely appreciate the timelessness everyone else sees.
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Production Company
Argyle Enterprises
Release Date Sep 18, 1963
Duration 1 h 52 m
Rating Approved
Genres
Tagline An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House had stood for 90 years and might stand for 90 more. Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.
Awards
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Online Film & Television Association
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
The Guardian's Best Films
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
