The sound of fear

Ok, so I've seen alot of horror. I've probably forgotten more horror then most have seen. I've also done paranormal investigations and have been present for cold spots, strange sounds, and thing's inexpicably moving on their own. It takes alot to creep me out. This film is the only one that can authentically creep me out. Not because whats being portrayed in the film is probably the closest I've seen in a movie that captures what goes on in an actual haunting,but because the film maker, Robert Wise, brillently put together a very well paced, eerie film.

So what makes it so eerie? Many have debated this. Many feel the "less is more" approach is what makes this film work. While that is certainly a large factor, there are other, more subtle factors at work.

Let me say this first. This film is not a product of it's time, if anything it's way ahead of it. People believe that the lack of special effects is due to it having been made in 63'. This is far from true. ne only has to look at films like "House on Haunted Hill" or "Night of the living Dead" to see that special effects, while far from what we have today, were being used alot. The visual approach to film making (Sadly, modern films are ripe with this) was nothing new, even then. People loved seeing Ghouls and Ghost portrayed on screen back then too. "The Haunting" was a different even then. There are no monsters or Ghost on screen in this flick. No big effects. Everything is simple and mostly unseen. If you like your films full of eye candy, you won't care for this film at all.

The "Less is more approach" was delibertly played here, but taken to a new level. One even modern films fail to ascend to. Wise doesn't just leave everything to our imagination, he skillfully and subtly guides it. How? Sound. Most films, then and now, especially now, rely on visual story telling. The Haunting went another, less taken route. Please keep in mind I'm not talking about the sound track. This film barely has one anyway. No, I mean the strange noises, the pounding on the bedroom door, the heavy breathing, the foot steps, etc. Wise uses these auidble cues to trigger our imagination and take us for a ride. Watch the film again, this time keep an ear open for all the audible cues, the film is ripe with them. Each is done at just the right time to amplify the experience. We feel like we are right there with the characters. This film never talks down to us or gives us an explanation for whats happening. We are left alone in this silent eerie atmosphere to be assaulted with audible disturbances that trigger unsettling thoughts. We forget how powerful our other senses are. A creak in the upstairs bedroom at night while you are alone downstairs can trigger unnerving thoughts. Hearing something I can't explain always gets me, as I'm sure is does most of you. Seeing it gives me empiracal evidences, something tangiable I can work with. Hearing though, only leaves me with questions, there's nothing to grasp other then what you think you may have heard. That's why this film works so well.

Sadly, very few films have tried this unique approach. I watched the conjuring recently, and while a good flick, it used alot of the same visual tricks most films do. For me the most unsettling part is when the little girl wakes up and hears the bedroom door creak and swares there is someone there watching her and her sister, but we see no one. We just get eerie noises.

In closing, let me restate, that "The Haunting" was ahead of it's time, and stands on it's own, even today. The remake went the opposite direction and failed miserably, proving the power of the technigue Mr. Wise used. It's not just a good scary movie, it's a film masterpiece. Period. Watch this one late at night, alone, and in the dark. Most people who've taken this advise have come away creeped out. Enjoy!