Haunted (1995)

Professor David Ash is invited to Edbrook to calm the fears of the elderly nanny of the Mariell family. Nanny Tess is seeing things, and Ash's book debunking such phenomenon makes him a ... See full summary »

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

James Herbert (novel), Timothy Prager,

Stars:

Aidan Quinn, Kate Beckinsale, Anthony Andrews

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Aidan Quinn	...	Prof. David Ash
Kate Beckinsale	...	Christina Mariell
Anthony Andrews	...	Robert Mariell
John Gielgud	...	Doctor Doyle
Anna Massey	...	Nanny Tess Webb
Alex Lowe	...	Simon Mariell
Geraldine Somerville	...	Kate
Victoria Shalet	...	Juliet Ash
Linda Bassett	...	Madame Brontski
Liz Smith	...	Old Gypsy Woman
Peter England	...	Young David
Alice Douglas	...	Clare
Hilary Mason	...	Elderly Lady
Edmund Moriarty	...	Liam
Emily Hamilton	...	Mary

Storyline

Professor David Ash is invited to Edbrook to calm the fears of the elderly nanny of the Mariell family. Nanny Tess is seeing things, and Ash's book debunking such phenomenon makes him a good choice to set her mind at ease and convince her she is just tired and stressed. But soon after arriving David too begins to doubt his senses, and watching the odd behavior of the three grown Mariell children doesn't make his task any easier. In fact, he begins to think Nanny Tess isn't really just tired and stressed out after all.

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Plot Keywords:

nanny | twin | ghost | bare breasts | guilt | 

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Taglines:

A Supernatural Tale of Love and Mystery

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and nudity

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Irmandade do Mal

Filming Locations:

East Sussex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

October Films, American Zoetrope, Lumière Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hilary Mason replaced Jean Anderson.

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Goofs

When David sees the apparition in the gazebo, the state of day/night changes repeatedly in the ensuing shots (before he falls into the lake).

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Quotes

Prof. David Ash: Miss Webb, I have been to hundreds of houses, countless seances, and I have never yet seen something that can't be explained in rational terms. The people I've met all have one thing in common; pain.
Nanny Tess Webb: I thought you came to help me.
Prof. David Ash: Miss Webb, I am trying to help you.
Nanny Tess Webb: You mean to tell me that you see nothing?
Prof. David Ash: I see nothing. But the point is, you do. And if you just give me a few simple details, I intend to prove to you that there's nothing in Edbrook House to be afraid of.
Nanny Tess Webb: There are spirits in ...
[...]

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Connections

References The Legend of Hell House (1973)

User Reviews

Professor Ash, a paranormal investigator looks for the truth in a reportedly haunted house.

Young David Ash and his sister are playing beside the lake on their family estate. When his sister falls, hitting her head on a stone and drowns in the lake, David is unable to save her. Blaming himself for her death, David becomes a Phd in Paranormal studies. Years later, after a successful career of exposing fraudulent mediums, David is recalled to his former home by an old woman who writes to say the home she works in is haunted.

David is met at the station by Christina (Beckinsale), a bewitchingly beautiful woman, who drives extremely dangerously and thinks nothing of stripping her clothes off and swimming in the nude in front of Dr. Ash, though she has just met him. When one of her brothers also swims nude, David is still more surprised.

The older brother is barely tolerant of David and wants him to do his job as rapidly as possible and not get involved with his sister. David talks to the elderly woman, referred to as Nanny, learning of the tragic death of Christina's parents. During his attempts to understand what is going on David has several very frightening moments. The Special effects are outstanding by the way.

While making his investigation, David comes across a shocking family secret and sees the ghost of what may be his own sister, near the lake. He then has several more strange experiences which cause him to doubt his sanity. The only person who seems to understand his confusion is the elderly doctor who is the family physician. David visits the old man at his home in the village which helps him realize he is not insane, but still leaves him with unanswered questions.

The shocking conclusion will completely twist everything you think you know about ghosts and reality. This film may be the seminal influence in a new era of ghost stories on film, which was lately added to by the talented director, Alejandro Amenabar, who gave us THE OTHERS, starring Nicole Kidman. If you like ghost stories HAUNTED is a must see.