Leofwine_draca One of the "big boys" of the horror genre, this classic ghost story is generally ranked alongside 1963's THE HAUNTING and 1980's THE CHANGELING as one of the best horror films ever made. Whilst I'm not quite convinced that it deserves this legendary status, it is very much a creepy classic, which transforms a basic and overdone plot line into a successful but quiet and genuinely atmospheric minor masterpiece. Although the film is short on jump-in-your-seat scares, and the primitive effects and situations no longer have the ability to scare jaded fans of the genre, there is much to be enjoyed in this movie.Richard Matheson, adapting his own novel, Hell House, provides some memorably quirky characters and a storyline that effectively mixes in some different ways of dealing with the paranormal – from supernatural mediums and seances to a machine capable of detecting electrical energy in the atmosphere – into an effective brew that is perfect late night viewing. It also happens to be a British horror film of the 1970s, my favourite film genre, so I may be slightly biased in this film's favour.The suspenseful movie charts the course of a week in the house and the growing menace surrounding the four central characters. Strange incidents occur at regular intervals, at first focused at the young and frightened medium Florence Tanner. Here the film plays an ace by the casting of Pamela Franklin (AND SOON THE DARKNESS), a horror veteran (and early scream queen), who again portrays a shy and insecure female victim with a level of maturity and depth that many other actresses fail to grasp. Memorable incidents occur, like an attack by an evil black cat, ectoplasm developing at a séance, and an evening meal interrupted by a poltergeist manifestation, until the eventful and violent finale sees Dr Barrett's ill-advised electronic machine prove to be the catalyst for some deadly occurrences. Finally, we get the explanation of the haunting, which is imaginatively thought out and leads to an enjoyable climax with an eerie cameo appearance from genre master Michael Gough.Playing a minor character who later becomes the lead, Roddy McDowall gives a tour-de-force performance which some critics have scoffed at, calling him "melodramatic". I disagree totally, and instead regard his portrayal of the edgy and neurotic medium – who refuses to 'open up' to the spirits – as a work of genius and one of the underrated actor's finest performances in his distinguished career. Congratulations to Mr McDowall for his strong emoting, adding yet another level of intrigue and realism to an already favourable film. The other roles are filled by Clive Revill (sterling work as the doomed sceptic) and Gayle Hunnicutt, who looks ravishing and finds herself possessed by ghostly sexual desires – need I say more. The setting of the spooky old house is clichéd but adds to the spooky atmosphere, whilst effects and music are all technically superior and help develop the sense of spooky menace. Despite being a little dated by modern standards, this is still a genre classic and needs to be seen by all mature horror fans as an example of the genre at its most successful and frightening. Creepy stuff!

Johan Louwet What I liked mostly about this movie were its characters. You have the skeptic scientist Dr. Barrett who thinks he can prove anything with his "modern" machinery and theories. Of course he was going to get in a conflict with Ms Tanner wonderfully played by Pamela Franklin. I'm glad that little Flora from the Innocents actually grew up in a beautiful young woman and a good actress (well I already liked her cute and creepiness in the Innocents too). I was really impressed with her here. I liked how the tension builds and how that evil spirit in the house handily uses the conflicts between the 4 people and strikes a few times. The scientist thinks the medium is manipulating things (the dining scene, the ectoplasm, her constant talking about the poor son of Belaski). Ms Tanner thinks it's Belaski's son who cries for help, the prudish Ms Barrett is suddenly captivated by erotic thoughts. And than there is Fischer who tries to stay invisible but his presence and input proves in fact to be vital. A few really strong spectacular scenes without overdoing it. Especially those which involved Ms Tanner captured me (the cat scenes, the visits from Belaski's spirit leaving her bed and room, when the invisible spirit makes "love" to her, the cross scene and of course the discovery of Belaski's son rotten body). No wonder she was my favorite character. That she died was sad. Nevertheless a great movie which I really would give a solid 8/10!

utgard14 An eccentric aging millionaire wants to be assured of the existence of life after death, so he has a physicist interested in the paranormal assemble a team to investigate a haunted mansion known as Hell House. The team consists of the physicist's wife and two psychic mediums, one of which was the sole surviving member of a previous team that investigated the house. The group plans to last a week inside and scientifically prove the existence of the after-life. Hell House, however, has other plans. Brilliant haunted house movie directed by John Hough and penned by the great Richard Matheson, who adapted his own novel for the screenplay. The novel and film bear some similarities to Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" which was itself made into the classic movie The Haunting. Hough's stylish direction is excellent. He creates a tense atmosphere with eerie music and sound effects, off-kilter camera angles, and effective scary moments throughout the film. Roddy McDowall and Pamela Franklin are standouts in the cast but Clive Revill and Gayle Hunnicutt are good, too. Michael Gough appears as part of the film's memorable climax. It's an exceptional horror film from a decade full of them. One of the best haunted house movies ever made. Best seen at night with all the lights out, of course.

LeonLouisRicci There are Three Haunted House Movies from the Pre-CGI Era that are Usually Mentioned as Favorites. The House on Haunted Hill (1959), The Haunting (1963), and This One. All are Solid Entries on Anyones List, but Here, Richard Matheson's Screenplay from His Book Hell House is an Abbreviated Version and the Movie Suffers with its Condensed Composite. Things Seem Rushed and Not Fully Fleshed Out and this is One of those Movies where if Opened Up a Bit and was Longer would have Made it a Much More Satisfying Experience. As it is the Film is just too Short and Nothing has Time to Settle and Make its Mark Endellable.As is, the Movie is a Very Good Ghost Story with a Heavy Dose of Sex and Debauchery that Emerges Quite Often and Adds to the Creepiness. Pamela Franklin's Young Medium Endures the Brunt of it but Everyone Must Deal with the Sinister Sensuality. There is a Good Soundtrack and a Willing Cast, Including a Very Creepy Roddy McDowell, and Gayle Hunnicutt is Along and Suffers Some Humiliation. The Atmosphere is Appropriately Ominous, but the Ending is a Letdown. What with the Scientific "Box" and a Good Deal of Shouting Explanations, the Movie Comes to a Clunky Conclusion.