The Haunting

1963
G
1h 52m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

44K

YOUR RATING

A scientist doing research on the paranormal invites two women to a haunted mansion. One of the participants soon starts losing her mind.

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Supernatural Horror Horror

Hill House has stood for about 90 years and appears haunted: its inhabitants have always met strange, tragic ends. Now Dr. John Markway has assembled a team of people who he thinks will prov... Read allHill House has stood for about 90 years and appears haunted: its inhabitants have always met strange, tragic ends. Now Dr. John Markway has assembled a team of people who he thinks will prove whether or not the house is haunted.Hill House has stood for about 90 years and appears haunted: its inhabitants have always met strange, tragic ends. Now Dr. John Markway has assembled a team of people who he thinks will prove whether or not the house is haunted.

Director
- Robert Wise
Writers
- Nelson Gidding
- Shirley Jackson
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

44K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Robert Wise
Writers
- Nelson Gidding
- Shirley Jackson
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations

Hugh Crain
(uncredited)

Janet Mansell

Abigail Crain - Age 6
(uncredited)

Director
- Robert Wise
Writers
- Nelson Gidding
- Shirley Jackson
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
To make Theodora appear more bohemian, beatnik, garments designed by Mary Quant from a recent collection were used to dress Claire Bloom.

Goofs
When Nell leaves the Boston garage, she sees a signpost that for the most part is correct with respect to route numbers and directions for the towns indicated. However, one sign refers to "US 50", and Nell then reads aloud her directions to take "US 50 from Boston and watch for the turn-off to Route 238." US 50 is nowhere near Boston; prior to the advent of the Interstate Highway System, US Route 50 was one of the principal highways that went straight through the middle of the country from Maryland on the East coast to California on the west coast. It is instead US 20 which begins in Boston and runs westward through Massachusetts before continuing across the country.

Quotes
Mrs. Dudley: [Eleanor has just been shown her room after she arrives] I can't keep the rooms the way I'd like, but there's no one else they could get that would help me.
Eleanor Lance: How very nice.
Mrs. Dudley: I set dinner on the dining room sideboard at 6. I clear up in the morning. I have breakfast for you at 9. I don't wait on people. I don't stay after I set out the dinner, not after it begins to get dark. I leave before the dark.
Eleanor Lance: Your husband?
Mrs. Dudley: We live over in town, miles away.
Eleanor Lance: Yes.
Mrs. Dudley: So there won't be anyone around if you need help.
Eleanor Lance: I understand.
Mrs. Dudley: We couldn't hear you. In the night.
Eleanor Lance: Do you have any idea when Dr. Markway...
Mrs. Dudley: [cuts her off] No one could. No one lives any nearer than town. No one will come any nearer than that.
Eleanor Lance: I know.
Mrs. Dudley: In the night. In the dark.
[Mrs. Dudley grins and leaves]

Alternate versions
The original cut of movie (shown 24/9/03 at Filmhouse, Edinburgh) has several differences from the general release print -
Alternate opening with voice-over by the Mrs. Sannerson character in place of the Markway monologue. The titles prior to this scene are slightly different. The 'History of Hill House' scene continues into the meeting with Mrs. Sannerson and Markway but in this version, it is Sannerson who is doing most of talking.
The following scene from the general release print of Markway listing his subjects on a blackboard is missing. In its place is a scene where Theo throws her lover out her apartment and, next to a photo of her lover, writes "I Hate You!" on a mirror in lipstick, looks at her reflection and mutters "I hate you too...". She then receives her invitation from Markway. This is delivered to her by her landlady, who requires the excess postage to be paid. Theo already knows this is to be paid and there is humorous exchange concerning her ESP or her 'gift.'
There are several extended scenes involving Eleanor's 'inner thoughts' - most of which tie into her thoughts on her possible relationship with Markway. The scene showing her traveling to Hill house is extended with more 'inner monologue' material including a couple of shots of her turning onto 'Route 238' and commenting on "Journey's end in lovers meeting...".
The Morning/Harp scene runs longer and contains more dialogue from both Eleanor and Markway. This print had a title card prior to the MGM logo - "This print is on loan from the National Film and Television Archive."

Connections
Featured in 7 Nights to Remember (1966)

User reviews485

Review

Featured review

8/10

Forget the silly remake; this "Haunting" is the real one.

Robert Wise's recent passing brings "The Haunting" to mind. Less of a horror movie than a psychological thriller, it has Eleanor Lance (Julie Harris) coming to old house with several other people invited by Dr. John Markway (Richard Johnson). This is no ordinary house; it has a very disturbing history. And the answers to the creepy incidents that have taken place may be closer than anyone realizes.

What makes this movie so good is that it relies on camera angle (rather than gore and special effects, as usually seems to happen now) to create the horror. You literally can't tell when something is going to happen. The only thing that gives the movie a slightly silly feeling is the presence of Lois Maxwell (aka Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies) as Dr. Markway's wife Grace. Still, it's a horror classic. The 1999 remake, as far as I could tell, was deliberately trying to be silly; if so, then they sure succeeded, because that was a poor excuse for a movie. This one is the real "Haunting".