“Haunted ” (1995)

Horror

Running Time: 108 minutes

Written by: Lewis Gilbert, Bob Kellett and Timothy Prager

Directed by: Lewis Gilbert

Featuring: Aidan Quinn, Kate Beckinsale, Anthony Andrews, John Gielgud and Anna Massey

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.”

Critical Commentary

“Haunted” is a 1995 horror film directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Aidan Quinn, Kate Beckinsale, and Anthony Andrews. The film follows a sceptical professor named David Ash, who investigates paranormal events at a country house called Edbrook.

The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its atmosphere and performances while others criticized its pacing and lack of scares. However, it has since gained a cult following among horror fans.

One of the film’s strengths is its gothic atmosphere, which is enhanced by the eerie setting of Edbrook and the haunting score by Christopher Gunning. The performances by the lead actors, particularly Aidan Quinn as David Ash, are also strong and add depth to the characters.

However, the film’s slow pacing and lack of scares may disappoint viewers who are expecting a more traditional horror film. The plot is also convoluted at times, which can make it difficult to follow. “Haunted” is a decent horror film that will appeal to fans of atmospheric ghost stories. However, those who prefer more fast-paced and visceral horror may find it lacking.

Another issue with the film is its reliance on clichés and tropes commonly found in ghost stories. The plot feels predictable and lacks originality, making it feel like a generic haunted house movie.

On the positive side, the film does explore some interesting themes, such as the relationship between science and the supernatural, and the power of guilt and trauma. These themes add depth to the story and elevate it beyond a simple ghost story. “Haunted” is a film that may not appeal to everyone, but it does have some redeeming qualities that make it worth a watch for fans of gothic horror. Its atmosphere and performances are strong, and its exploration of themes adds depth to the story. However, its slow pacing and predictable plot may be turn-offs for some viewers.

One of the strengths of “Haunted” is the way it portrays the supernatural occurrences in a subtle and nuanced way. The film relies more on psychological horror than jump scares, which creates a more unsettling and eerie atmosphere. This approach may not be for everyone, but it is refreshing to see a horror film that doesn’t rely on cheap scares. In terms of its visual style, “Haunted” has a classic and timeless feel to it. The film’s cinematography, lighting, and production design all contribute to the gothic atmosphere, and the use of practical effects over CGI also adds to the film’s authenticity.

The film’s ending may divide audiences, as it is open to interpretation and may leave some viewers wanting more closure. However, the ambiguity of the ending also adds to the film’s eerie and unsettling atmosphere. “Haunted” is a decent horror film that has its strengths and weaknesses. While it may not be the most original or thrilling horror movie, it does have a strong atmosphere and performances, and its exploration of themes adds depth to the story. It is worth a watch for fans of gothic horror and psychological horror.

It is also worth noting that “Haunted” is based on a novel by James Herbert, and while the film does take some liberties with the source material, it does capture the essence of Herbert’s work. Fans of the novel may appreciate the film’s adaptation, even with its flaws.

One of the biggest criticisms of “Haunted” is its pacing, which can feel slow and meandering at times. However, this slower pace does allow for more character development and adds to the film’s sense of unease. The film’s use of flashbacks and dream sequences also helps to build tension and suspense.

The performances in “Haunted” are generally strong, with Aidan Quinn carrying the film as the skeptical David Ash. Kate Beckinsale is also solid as Christina Mariell, a resident of Edbrook who becomes romantically involved with David. Anthony Andrews is effective as the enigmatic and manipulative Robert Mariell, Christina’s stepfather.

“Haunted” is a flawed but atmospheric horror film that will appeal to fans of gothic horror and psychological horror. While it may not be the most thrilling or original horror movie, it does have its strengths, including strong performances, a timeless visual style, and a nuanced approach to the supernatural.

Technical Commentary

Video

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Haunted arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. While most of the darker footage can look rather decent, the daylight footage tends to look pretty harsh and overblown. There is still a decent amount of mostly pleasing detail, but the larger your screen is, the easier it will be to conclude that the entire film can and should look vastly superior in high-definition. Some of the primary colours look decent, but during daylight footage the inconsistent brightness levels cause quite a few anomalies. 

Audio

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English: LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. 

Special Features

• “Seeing Things: Filming Haunted” – in this new program, cinematographer Tony Pierce-Roberts recalls how he was approached to work on Haunted many years after her had done The Dark Half and what it was like to work with Lewis Gilbert, whom he describes as “classic English director”. Also, there are plenty of observations about the film’s unique visual style. In English, not subtitled. (11 min).
• “Feeling Things: Acting Haunted” – in this new program, actor Alex Lowe discusses his acting career and how he was offered to play the character of Simon Mariell, as well as his interactions with Lewis Gilbert during the production of Haunted and attitude toward horror films. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).
• “Heating Things: Scoring Haunted” – in this new program, composer Debbie Wiseman recalls how she was offered the opportunity to score Haunted, her first interaction with Lewis Gilbert in London, and how the soundtrack she created linked with the visuals from the film. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).
• Making of Featurette – presented here is a vintage making of featurette which focuses on the production history of Haunted. Included in it are clips from interviews with writer James Herbert, actors Anthony Andrews and Aidan Quinn, and director Lewis Gilbert, amongst others. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).
• Commentary – this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by critics Kim Newman and Stephen Jones.