Gli invasati

There's a house that sits atop an elevation, 90 years old, riven with cold, crooked damnation, uninhabited by the living, but surrounded by misgiving, not really sure, what's behind doors, but there's suspicion.

A curious anthropologist researching the paranormal gathers three souls who are sensitive to such things and envelopes them in surroundings simmering with the supernatural in the form of a haunted house on a hill (what more do you need). The cinematography is spectacular, all the performances outstanding, but you may struggle to keep your eyes off Claire Bloom in her prime. Watch it on a stormy night, on your own, with the lights out - if you dare!

This is a must see for anyone who follows the horror genre. It is truly amazing what you can accomplish with sound, shadow, and great delivery. This black and white classic will get the hairs on the back of your neck standing up and it does it without blood, gore, or special effects. This film was the motivation for all other haunted house movies to follow it.

I saw this movie the summer I got out of high school. I went with a date and he about dug a hole in the arm of my sweater, it scared him that much. What makes the movie really scary is the fact that it does not have any slashers, monsters, blood and/or gore. Robert Wise scared you with camera angles, the unknown "presences" that seemed to be always lurking behind every door, and the sound effects were very effective. Filming it in black and white also made it creepier. The audiences imaginations and their own personal fears make the movie very effective. We have all experienced a frightening event at some time in our lives (dark closets, what's under the bed, what's outside the window after dark, did you hear that?, etc.) This movie plays on those feelings as you watch it. The remake was disappointing at the least. It had a great cast, but the producers/directors were trying too hard. These days, it seems that special effects can sometimes ruin a movie. There's nothing to play on ones imagination. That's why the book is usually much better than the movie. I purchased this movie on VHS a few years ago and I watch it every once in awhile in the dark (of course) when my husband is here. I don't think I could watch it alone - in the dark - in the night....

When director Robert Wise works on a small scale, with oppressive and/or claustrophobic settings, and uses less than mega box office actors, his films are usually good. Examples of this would be "The Set Up," "House On Telegraph Hill," "Andromeda Strain," "Odds Against Tomorrow" and "Born To Kill". It's also the case that when this director decides to go all "epic" on us he's a windy bore. I won't name those films, but you know who you are. Fortunately, this film is in the former category. It's just five characters in a creepy house and it grabs you from the get go with an effective montage of the house's macabre history and keeps your interest with acute examinations of the personalities of the main characters and the fear of the unseen.

What makes "The Haunting" so genuinely terrifying is the subtly expressed theme: that the house gradually devours Eleanor because her sad, pathetic life encapsulates the history of Hill House. This is made even clearer in the novel, where Hugh Crain had two daughters, who hated each other, and whose lifelong feud mirrors Eleanor's loathing of her own sister. Eleanor really has had no life up to this point - as a result she is emotionally all of thirteen. She doesn't get Theo's not so subtle hints that she is attracted to her. She also doesn't get that just because Professor Markway talks to her like a human being does not mean he is attracted to her. She's like the junior high kid in love with her teacher.

It has superb performances, a credible atmosphere, and gorgeous direction and cinematography. If you are after a body count ala John Carpenter look elsewhere, but if you like your horror implied this is worth your while.

After watching "The Haunting" 1963, I slept with my hands under the covers for 3 weeks.

I was alone in the house, very late at night. Every sound amplified.. I was a full grown woman. For Pete's sake, I have watched almost every monster movie made. Even the original "Wolfman." Hummm, I could handle this.

Wrong! I have never been so frightened in my life. Who or What was holding her hand??...

The door at the top of the spiral stair almost gave me a stroke.

This movie made a believer out of me. The sound effects, the lighting, the "breathing door", plus the fact it was Black and White.. The house, well don't ask me to attend a dinner party there. You will be eating alone.

Perfect movie for Halloween.

I give this movie a "10", The "remake" ?? Was that from the same book?

Nuff Said.