• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In

    The Haunting

    • 19631963
    • 1212
    • 1h 52min
    IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    36K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Julie Harris in The Haunting (1963)
    A scientist doing research on the paranormal invites two women to a haunted mansion. One of the participants soon starts losing her mind.
    Play trailer1:08
    2 Videos
    99+ Photos
    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.

    IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    36K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Nelson Gidding(screenplay)
      • Shirley Jackson(based on the novel: "The Haunting of Hill House")
    • Stars
      • Julie Harris
      • Claire Bloom
      • Richard Johnson
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Nelson Gidding(screenplay)
      • Shirley Jackson(based on the novel: "The Haunting of Hill House")
    • Stars
      • Julie Harris
      • Claire Bloom
      • Richard Johnson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 435User reviews
    • 106Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:08
    Trailer
    The Haunting (1963)
    Trailer 2:14
    The Haunting (1963)

    Photos105

    Julie Harris in The Haunting (1963)
    Claire Bloom and Julie Harris in The Haunting (1963)
    Julie Harris and Richard Johnson in The Haunting (1963)
    Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn in The Haunting (1963)
    Julie Harris and Richard Johnson in The Haunting (1963)
    Julie Harris in The Haunting (1963)
    Claire Bloom, Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn in The Haunting (1963)
    Julie Harris in The Haunting (1963)
    Julie Harris, Richard Johnson, and Russ Tamblyn in The Haunting (1963)
    The Haunting (1963)
    The Haunting (1963)
    The Haunting (1963)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris
    • Eleanor Lanceas Eleanor Lance
    Claire Bloom
    Claire Bloom
    • Theodoraas Theodora
    Richard Johnson
    Richard Johnson
    • Dr. John Markwayas Dr. John Markway
    Russ Tamblyn
    Russ Tamblyn
    • Luke Sandersonas Luke Sanderson
    Fay Compton
    Fay Compton
    • Mrs. Sandersonas Mrs. Sanderson
    Rosalie Crutchley
    Rosalie Crutchley
    • Mrs. Dudleyas Mrs. Dudley
    Lois Maxwell
    Lois Maxwell
    • Grace Markwayas Grace Markway
    Valentine Dyall
    Valentine Dyall
    • Mr. Dudleyas Mr. Dudley
    Diane Clare
    Diane Clare
    • Carrie Fredericksas Carrie Fredericks
    Ronald Adam
    Ronald Adam
    • Eldridge Harperas Eldridge Harper
    Pamela Buckley
    • First Mrs. Crainas First Mrs. Crain
    • (uncredited)
    Amy Dalby
    Amy Dalby
    • Abigail Crain - Age 80as Abigail Crain - Age 80
    • (uncredited)
    Rosemary Dorken
    • Abigail Crain's Nurse-Companionas Abigail Crain's Nurse-Companion
    • (uncredited)
    Verina Greenlaw
    Verina Greenlaw
    • Dora Fredericksas Dora Fredericks
    • (uncredited)
    Claude Jones
    • Garage Attendantas Garage Attendant
    • (uncredited)
    Frieda Knorr
    Frieda Knorr
    • Second Mrs. Crainas Second Mrs. Crain
    • (uncredited)
    Howard Lang
    Howard Lang
    • Hugh Crainas Hugh Crain
    • (uncredited)
    Janet Mansell
    • Abigail Crain - Age 6as Abigail Crain - Age 6
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Nelson Gidding(screenplay)
      • Shirley Jackson(based on the novel: "The Haunting of Hill House")
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    Dr. Markway, doing research to prove the existence of ghosts, investigates Hill House, a large, eerie mansion with a lurid history of violent death and insanity. With him are the skeptical young Luke, who stands to inherit the house, the mysterious and clairvoyant Theodora and the insecure Eleanor, whose psychic abilities make her feel somehow attuned to whatever spirits inhabit the old mansion. As time goes by it becomes obvious that they have gotten more than they bargained for as the ghostly presence in the house manifests itself in horrific and deadly ways. —Doug Sederberg <vornoff@sonic.net>
    haunted housegothic horrorsupernatural horrorparapsychologylesbianism91 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House had stood for 90 years and might stand for 90 more. Silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.
    • Genre
      • Horror
    • Certificate
      • 12
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      To make Thedora appear more bohemian, beatnik clothing designer Mary Quant was hired to design mod clothing specifically for Claire Bloom.
    • Goofs
      Because the story was filmed in England, but set in the United States, Eleanor passes a house with a sign reading "To Let" instead of "For Rent."
    • 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. Sanderson 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 Sanderson and Markway but in this version, it is Sanderson 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 Nightmare Festival (1989)

    User reviews435

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    One of my all-time favorite horror flicks
    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....
    helpful•85
    12
    • Holmesister
    • Oct 23, 2005

    FAQ14

    • What is 'The Haunting' about?
    • Is "The Haunting" based on a book?
    • Is this a true story?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 9, 1964 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bis das Blut gefriert
    • Filming locations
      • Ettington Park Hotel, Alderminster, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Argyle Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,400,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $742
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 52min
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

    Related news

    13 Best Blumhouse Horror Movies Ranked
    13 Best Blumhouse Horror Movies Ranked
    Nov 13Den of Geek
    The Haunting of Bly Manor: Mike Flanagan Discusses Standout Eighth Episode
    The Haunting of Bly Manor: Mike Flanagan Discusses Standout Eighth Episode
    Oct 12Den of Geek

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Julie Harris in The Haunting (1963)
    Top Gap
    What is the Japanese language plot outline for The Haunting (1963)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    Top New Shows of 2021 So Far
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:56
    Time Travel Movies You May Have Missed
    Get some picks

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.