I'm so glad that several people have mentioned The Haunting in the
catagory of truly frightening horror movies. This film has no special
effects to speak of. The people who agree to stay in this old haunted
mansion, hear terrifying noises and strange whispers. There is one scene
where one of the women (played by that fine actress Julie Harris) is lying
in bed in a dark room and believes that the group's other female is trying
to comfort her by holding her hand. When the lights come on there is no one
there. Very effective psychological terror! Ineed there is some question
about which phenomena are being caused by spirits and which may be caused
by an emotionally fragile person( the Julie Harris character again). This
is the perfect movie for a dark and stormy night. It is also, I believe,
based on a story by Shirley Jackson.
I also agree with those who voted for Prince of Darkness. A very different
kind of movie from The Haunting but just as scary. This is one of the few
John Carpenter movies that I would sit down and watch again because it
seems to actually have a bit of plot and even some philosophy - about the
real nature of evil. It has been a while since I saw it, but I do have it
on tape and plan to watch it again. However I won't do it when I'm alone in
the house!
Patricia Altner
<http://www.bibliography.com/vamp/>
<http://www.bibliogrpahy.com/moon/>
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