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The Haunting [Blu-ray]
(Robert Wise, 1963)
Review by Gary Tooze
Production: Theatrical: Argyle Enterprises / MGM Video: Warner
Disc: Region: FREE! (as verified by the Oppo Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:51:54.040 Disc Size: 22,238,285,984 bytes Feature Size: 21,539,807,232 bytes Video Bitrate: 21.97 Mbps Chapters: 30 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: October 15th, 2013
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio English 1033 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 1033 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 1.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio German 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Dolby Digital Audio Portuguese 192 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps / DN -4dB
Subtitles: English (SDH), French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, none
Extras: • Commentary by Robert Wise, Nelson Gidding, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn• Trailer (2:30)
Bitrate:
Description: No one lives in the 90-year-old Hill House. Or so it seems. But come in. Even if you don't believe in ghosts, there's no denying the terror of The Haunting. Robert Wise, whose started his directorial career with The Curse of the Cat People (1944), returned to psychological horror for this first screen adaptation of Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Four people (Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson and Russ Tamblyn) come to the house to study its supernatural phenomena. Or has the house drawn at least one of them to it? The answer will unnerve you.
The Film: One of the most highly regarded haunted house films ever produced, Robert Wise's The Haunting (based on Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House) weaves the dark tale of a questionably sane young woman and a sinister house which holds a terrifying past. Invited to join anthropologist Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson), ESP expert Theodora (Claire Bloom), and probable heir to the estate Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn) in order to dispel the near mythical tales that surround the house, unstable Eleanor Vance (Julie Harris) agrees to spend a few nights in the house following the death of her mother. As they slowly begin to discover, the horrific and seemingly unbelievable tales may hold more truth than the skeptical guests might have previously expected. With a seemingly unstoppable supernatural force lurking in every shadow, the probability of anyone escaping the evil clutch of the cursed mansion seems increasingly remote. Excerpt from MRQE located HEREOften overwrought in its performances, this adaptation of Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House - a group of people gather in a large old house to determine whether or not a poltergeist is the source of rumours that it is haunted - still manages to produce its fair share of frissons. What makes the film so effective is not so much the slightly sinister characterisation of the generally neurotic group, but the fact that Wise makes the house itself the central character, a beautifully designed and highly atmospheric entity which, despite the often annoyingly angled camerawork, becomes genuinely frightening. At its best, the film is a pleasing reminder that Wise served his apprenticeship under Val Lewton at RKO. Excerpt from TimeOut Film Guisde located HERE
Image : NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. The Haunting appears impressively strong on Blu-ray from Warner. The 1080P image quality shows a high level of detail. It probably looked quite similar to this theatrically 50 years ago. This is only single-layered with a modest bitrate but the contrast is very pleasing. There are a lot of dark scenes but no intrusive noise. Grain textures - fairly even - are present and appreciated. There are a few speckles but they are definitely minimal and the 2.35:1 aspect ratio looks super showing frequent depth. This Blu-ray has a few less consistent sequences but I lean more to those being part of the original, or the source - nothing to do with the HD transfer. I wasn't expecting the film to look this strong Blu-ray and it is a very pleasant surprise to be so film-like.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
Audio :No boost going on here. Warner provide an authentic DTS-HD Master in 1.0 channel mono at 1033 kbps. It is flat but carries some depth and the original score by Humphrey Searle helps establish the spooky atmosphere - benefitting from the lossless. Quality was very solid. There are optional DUBs and subtitle options and m y Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.
Extras : The commentary by Robert Wise, Nelson Gidding, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn (recorded separately but pieced together) is originally found from the last DVD edition but it still has a lot to offer - especially from Wise. There is also a trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: Gary Tooze October 1st, 2013
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About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 5000 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.
Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who
focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I
find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction. 60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD
Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD
Player APC AV 1.5 kVA H Type Power Conditioner 120V Gary W. Tooze ALL OUR NEW FORMAT DVD REVIEWS
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