Most haunted house horror films and you expect to see; a ghost wandering the corridor, a group of people in peril, blood, gore and the like. While these are important elements of haunted house horror movies, 'The Haunting' have very little of these. Yet, is one of the most important and brilliant haunted house movies of all time.
In 'The Haunting' you don't have ghost running around, or beautiful women constantly cowering in the corner, in fact, the viewer sees very little, yet this movie still contains an eerie presence and still manages to keep interest alive and still grabs attention
The main character in this film is Eleanor Lance - played by Julie Harris - who is shy, insecure young woman with very little to live for; she has spent most of her adult life caring for her now late mother and being bullied and belittled by her older sister. As a result, it is hardly surprising that an offer by Dr. John Markway - played by Richard Johnson - to take part in an experiment in the supernatural in a supposedly haunted house grabs her attention, offering her the somewhat form of escapism she so desperately needs.
What makes this film so gripping is the fact that, even when there is only dialogue on the screen, it is still interesting and watchable. Also, even with the absence of any visible scares an eerie feeling is still present; the long corridors, the long periods of silence,and the many shadows seen.]
The character of Eleanor has not had a good life, and coming to Hill House helps her to escape and try something new. The forces in the house however want her, and at first she battles then eventually gives in. She experiences fear from the house yet at the same time enjoys the attention it offers.
This film is a drama as well as a horror, as we follow the emotional and social well being on Eleanor. Her giving into the desires of the house could be read as a symbol of her finally finding what she 'wants' and desires.
Not many other films have the power, and story to grip a viewer the way this film does, particularly through long periods of simply dialogue. The Haunting is without a doubt one of the most important horror movies of all time and should be watched by many.
In 'The Haunting' you don't have ghost running around, or beautiful women constantly cowering in the corner, in fact, the viewer sees very little, yet this movie still contains an eerie presence and still manages to keep interest alive and still grabs attention
The main character in this film is Eleanor Lance - played by Julie Harris - who is shy, insecure young woman with very little to live for; she has spent most of her adult life caring for her now late mother and being bullied and belittled by her older sister. As a result, it is hardly surprising that an offer by Dr. John Markway - played by Richard Johnson - to take part in an experiment in the supernatural in a supposedly haunted house grabs her attention, offering her the somewhat form of escapism she so desperately needs.
What makes this film so gripping is the fact that, even when there is only dialogue on the screen, it is still interesting and watchable. Also, even with the absence of any visible scares an eerie feeling is still present; the long corridors, the long periods of silence,and the many shadows seen.]
The character of Eleanor has not had a good life, and coming to Hill House helps her to escape and try something new. The forces in the house however want her, and at first she battles then eventually gives in. She experiences fear from the house yet at the same time enjoys the attention it offers.
This film is a drama as well as a horror, as we follow the emotional and social well being on Eleanor. Her giving into the desires of the house could be read as a symbol of her finally finding what she 'wants' and desires.
Not many other films have the power, and story to grip a viewer the way this film does, particularly through long periods of simply dialogue. The Haunting is without a doubt one of the most important horror movies of all time and should be watched by many.
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