Video releases of The Haunting, the 1963 movie

Trailers

Although several trailers in English were produced, only one of them is available on all the DVDs - and on the LaserDiscs and VHS as well. I will refer to this commercially available trailer as the 1st trailer. The other ones remain unavailable on any Blu-ray, DVD, LaserDisc or VHS/Betamax.

The 1st trailer is interesting for two main reasons:

1. The first reason is that it contains some scenes that are not in the final cut of the movie. Of course, Dr. Markway's narration is not (and would not make sense in the movie itself). But have you noticed the scene when Theo is alone in her bedroom, scared to death and agitated like a cat expecting something? The very end of this scene is used in the movie, just before Eleanor joins Theo in her bedroom. But this scene is much much longer in the trailer... Watch it again and you'll see for yourself.
2. The second reason is that it contains some dialogs and spoken texts that are not in the final cut of the movie.

Enjoy!

The 1st english trailer (available on the Warner DVD and Blu-ray editions)

The 2nd english trailer (edited version of 1st one, commercially unavailable)

The 3rd english trailer (totally different, commercially unavailable)

A brilliant fan-made trailer

Source: YouTube, Channel: Movie Curator, Video: The Haunting 1963 (Fan Made Trailer)

Blu-ray editions

Foreword

To be honest, the release of the Warner Blu-ray edition was a huge disappointment. Practically speaking, the Blu-ray might be the last physical object available. The last chance to get a comprehensive edition, properly done, in a beautiful Steelcase or box set. The next ones might be digital/download only. Cold hard files to view on streaming.

More than 10 years passed since the 2003 DVD release, which at the time, included a minimal quantity of bonuses. I had plenty of time to collect many documents, videos, posters, lobby cards, promotional pictures, promotional booklets, books, articles, etc, etc. So I guess I'm perfectly aware of what is available and what remains unreachable for fans like me. After more than 25 years of collecting, I know what could make a fan truly happy.

These days, when you buy a Blu-ray, you expect much more than "just the movie". If you are a long-time dedicated fan of this movie, you demand much more than "just the movie". Sadly, this is the only valuable new item that you will get: the 1080p version of the movie. Nothing less, nothing more:

• Where is the alternative version of the movie? It is not lost because it makes some appearances once in a while in the UK, on special occasions such as festivals, themed-events, etc. This is the jewel of the crown. Why does it remain unavailable to most of us? I just hope it was properly digitized and saved for the decades and centuries to come. It's almost ironic to realise that we still can read Shakespeare's plays, but we might be unable to see this movie in less than 50 years.
• Gone are all the bonuses of the DVD edition. I was expecting more bonuses, they just got rid of all bonuses. They just kept the audio commentary soundtrack. What a thrill!
• The disc was released only in a few countries. I can understand that financial decision. What I cannot understand is that it makes some dubbed versions simply unavailable on Blu-ray. Instead of making all dubbed versions (EN, FR, EN, IT, DE, SP, etc...) and all subtitles available on a single, unique disc, released worldwide with cosmetic differences (front sleeve printed with local title, etc), they chose to release a handful of local versions, each holding a few dubbed versions and subtitles. It means a lot to me because the very first version I saw as a kid was the French-dubbed version. I still like to watch it, every now and then.
• There are (at least) 3 different trailers available in English. Where are they?
• Robert Wise did object to the colourization of the movie. He had every right to. Why can't we get a glimpse at this infamous colourised version?
• The original soundtrack (music) remains unavailable. Why can't we get the music-only version of the soundtrack, without all dialogs and sound effects?

And then there is the movie. Of course, I have to be fair, the image has reached a quality never seen before. There are so many details, in the texture in the fabrics, in the carved wood panels, in the statues, in the sculpted stones, in the house as a whole: so much to see everywhere. It is candy for the eyes.

But I wonder: wasn't it possible to clean the image a little bit and to enhance the dark/black level? I gave a try myself. Have a look!

Move the slider to compare the original Blu-ray image (left) with a reworked version (right).

Move the slider to compare the original Blu-ray image (left) with a reworked version (right).

Move the slider to compare the original Blu-ray image (left) with a reworked version (right).

Move the slider to compare the original Blu-ray image (left) with a reworked version (right).

Move the slider to compare the original Blu-ray image (left) with a reworked version (right).

Obviously, I got a bit carried away and applied too much correction, to make it stand out. Nevertheless, this is just to illustrate how easy it is to clean the image, just a little bit.

This raises several questions:

• What does the image actually looks like on the 35mm negative or printed film? 35mm films have a native definition which is far superior to the current Full HD 1080p. What does it really look like on 35mm?
• Did Robert Wise intend to have a clean image or not?
• Does a "cleaning operation" of the image betray the masterpiece?
• Does the "very grainy" image from the Blu-ray also betray the masterpiece?

Now that Robert Wise is gone, who can tell?

North america

Country: USA
Edition: 2013
Sound: Mono
Zone: A/1 (in practice, the disc is also playable in B/2)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: In DTS-HD Master Audio: English; In Dolby Digital: English, English (Commentary track), German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Subtitles: French, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Hearing impaired: English, German

Catalog number (reference): 883929329793, 3000051378

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

South america

Country: Brazil
Edition: 2013
Sound: Mono
Zone: A/1

Local title: Desafio do além [Challenge from beyond]

Audio: In DTS-HD Master Audio: English; In Dolby Digital: Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil)
Subtitles: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): BD79030

Remark:
My two copies are still factory sealed. Still, I'm beginning to suspect that the back cover doesn't accurately describes the content. I believe this content is 100% identical with the US disc.

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"No começo, era uma casa maligna, uma casa que nasceu má" O lugar é uma mansão com mais de 90 anos de idade conhecida como Hill House, a Casa no Topo da Colina. Ninguém vive lá. Ou assim parece. Mas, por favor, venha conhecê-la. Porque mesmo se você acredita em fantasmas, não há como negar o terror que existe nela.

Robert Wise retoma o gênero terror psicológico nessa muito admirada primeira adaptação para a tela da obra de Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House. Quatro pessoas chegam à casa para estudar seus fenômenos sobrenaturais. Ou será que a própria casa arrastou pelo menos um deles até o local? A resposta vai enervar você neste "filme assustador e sinistro, porém elegante. Uma boa diversão" (Pauline Kael, 5001 Nights at the Movies)

Europe

Country: Germany
Edition: 2013
Sound: Mono
Zone: B/2

Local title: Bis das Blut gefriert [Until the blood freezes]

Audio: In DTS-HD Master Audio: English; In Dolby Digital: German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Subtitles: French, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Hearing impaired: English, German

Catalog number (reference): 1000417198, 5000167545

Remark:
I own three copies, one is open.
The content is 100% identical with the US disc.

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Von Anfang an war es ein böses Haus, ein Haus das böse geboren wurde." Es geht um eine 90 Jahre alte Villa namens Hill House. Niemand wohnt dort. Zumindest scheint es so. Aber kommen Sie doch herein! Denn selbst wenn Sie nicht an Geister glauben, können Sie das Grauen von Bis das Blut gefriert nicht leugnen.

Mit dieser vielfach bewunderten ersten Kinofassung von Shirley Jackson Roman Spuk in Hill House kehrte Robert Wise zum psychologischen Horren-Genre zurück. Vier Menschen kommen in das Haus, um seine übernatürlichen Phänomene zu untersuchen. Oder hat das Haus selbst einen von ihnen angelockt? Die Antwort wird Sie nicht mehr schlafen lassen. Pauline Kael schrieb in 5001 Nights at the Movie: "Ein eleganter, teuflischer Gruselfilm, der richtig Spaß bringt."

Country: Spain
Edition: 2013
Sound: Mono
Zone: B/2

Local title: La casa encantada [The Haunted House]

Audio: In DTS-HD Master Audio: English; In Dolby Digital: German, Spanish, Portuguese
Subtitles: French, Spanish, Portuguese
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): 1000426998, 5000171039

Remark:
My two copies are still factory sealed. Still, I'm beginning to suspect that the back cover doesn't accurately describes the content. I believe this content is 100% identical with the US disc.

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Es una casa endemoniada desde el principio." Todo tiene lugar en una mansión con 90 años de antigüedad llamada Hill House. Nadie vive en ella. O eso parece. Pero por favor entre. Porque incluso si no crees en los fantasmas, no se puede negar el terror de esta casa encantada.

Robert Wise vuelve al terror psicológico que tanto admira. Cuatro personas se adentran en esta casa para el estudio de casos sobrenaturales. ¿Qué sucederá? La respuesta te dejará helado, en esta "elegante y siniestra película". (Pauline Kael, 5001 Nights at the Movies).

Country: UK
Edition: 2017, HMV-exclusive Blu-ray & DVD boxset
Sound: Mono
Zone: B/2 (Blu-ray) & 2 (DVD)

Local title: The Haunting

Blu-ray disc:
Audio: In DTS-HD Master Audio: English; In Dolby Digital: English, English (Commentary track), German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Subtitles: French, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Hearing impaired: (none)

DVD disc:
Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): 1000653343, 5000242662

Remark:
The boxset comes with an insert listing the movies available in the "Premium" collection, a "digital download with ultraviolet" coupon and an A3-format poster of the movie, which is actually the cover of the 2003 DVD.
In conclusion, it features the same content as the 2013 US Blu-ray, plus the 2003 UK DVD. The difference being in the packaging plus the B/2 & 2 localization.

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: UK
Edition: 2020, with new back slipcase
Sound: Mono
Zone: B/2

Local title: The Haunting

Blu-ray disc:
Audio: In DTS-HD Master Audio: English; In Dolby Digital: English, English (Commentary track), German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Subtitles: French, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (South America), Portuguese
Hearing impaired: (none)
Catalog number (reference): 1000764296, 5000269719 (Slipcase) & 1000764296, 5000269820 (Blu-ray)

Remark:
This new black cardboard slipcase reveals a regular shrink wrapped UK Blu-ray.

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

DVD editions

Technical details about the 2003 and 2010 Warner editions

Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: September 18, 1963
DVD Release Date (blue cover): August 5, 2003
DVD Release Date (black cover): November 9, 2010
Running Time (NTSC editions): 112 minutes (original duration)
Running Time (PAL editions): 107 minutes (*)
Production Company: Warner
Package Type: Snap Case
Aspect ratio: Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1 (the original ratio was respected)
Menu: Static, with music
Scene access: 30 chapters
Available Audio Tracks: (see local editions below for details) (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Subtitles/Captions in foreign languages: (see local editions below for details)
Colour: Black and White
Physical disc: 1 Disc (1-Sided), Picture Disc
Layers: RSDL (Reverse Spin Dual Layer)
Layers Switch: 00h:30m:42s

112 or 107 minutes?

Before I explain, you need to know that:
In a Theater, a movie plays at 24 frames per second.
On a NTSC system, a movie plays at 30 frames per second.
On a PAL system, a movie plays at 25 frames per second.

How to transfer the movie to a NTSC system:
Play the Theater version at normal speed. Take 1 second - that is 24 frames -. Duplicate 6 frames among these 24 frames, you get the 30 frames you need for 1 second of video. It is so fast that the visual difference will be un-noticed. While you are at it, capture 1 second of sound and you get the 1 second of sound you need to match the 30 frames - 1 second of NTSC video - of your NTSC version.
Summary: Play at normal speed but duplicate 1 frame every 4 frames.

How to transfer the movie to a PAL system:
It is slightly tricky! Play the Theater version slightly speeded up at 25 frames per second instead of 24. The image and sound are both speeded up. You get the 25 frames you need for 1 second of video. The movie plays 4% faster (*) but the visual difference is un-noticed. However, the pitch of the sound and voices is slightly higher than normal. And that would be noticed. So the pitch of the soundtrack is lowered to get back to normal.
Summary: Play at higher speed but lower the pitch of the soundtrack.

112 minutes played 4% faster than normal speed will play in 107 minutes only.

What the Warner editions have in common

• One original trailer.
• One feature/episode commentary by director Robert Wise, screenwriter Nelson Gidding, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn.
• Stills and poster gallery.

Remark: The commentary was built up out of previous interviews. It was not recorded especially for the DVD release. Furthermore, it was made of separate interviews. But the result is not bad at all and the comments are pleasant to hear.

The chapters are the same on all the editions that I know of.

English titles for the chapters

The differences between the various Warner editions

USA and Canada only

Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery").
Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay.
Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew.

Japan only

Subtitles for the Bonus commentary by director Robert Wise, screenwriter Nelson Gidding, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn.

A word about the Non-Warner editions

I'm sorry to say it so bluntly, but most of them are cheap editions, sold for a very low price. The available sound tracks (languages) and subtitles are reduced to the bare minimum, and so are the bonuses.

Strangely, the text found on the back cover is also questionable and unreliable.

North america

Country: USA
Edition: 2003
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 1 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English
Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): 65194

Only on this edition:

• Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery")
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: USA
Edition: 2003, This alternate edition has a tiny "A Robert Wide Production" printed on cover.
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Country: USA
Edition: 2009
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (my copy is unplayed, sealed)

This compilation titled Turner classic movies, Greatest classic films gathers 4 movies:

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• Freaks
• The Haunting
• House of wax

Catalog number (reference): ISBN 1-4198-7988-X, 3000020967

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

Robert Wise directed this first screen version of Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House'. 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?

Country: USA and Canada
Edition: 2010
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 1 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English
Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): ISBN 0-7806-6405-1, 3000033420

Only on this edition:

• Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery")
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: USA and Canada
Edition: 2010
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 1 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Local title: The Haunting, La maison du diable [The devil's house]

Audio: French, English
Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): 3000035118

Only on this edition:

• Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery")
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

"Cette maison a toujours été diabolique; elle est malsaine depuis son édification." Le lieu : un manoir vieux de 90 ans baptisé Hill House. Il est désert, ou du moins le semble-t-il. Mais donnez-vous la peine d'entrer. Et même si vous ne croyez pas aux fantômes, vous ne pouvez nier la terreur qui habite "La maison du diable".

Robert Wise est revenu au film d'horreur psychologique pour cette première adaptation cinématographique admirable de "Hantise", l'oeuvre de Shirley Jackson. Quatre personnes se rendent à la demeure afin d'y étudier ses phénomènes surnaturels. Ou est-ce la maison qui y aurait attiré au moins l'une d'elles ? La réponse que livre ce "film d'horreur tout à la fois raffiné, sinistre et divertissant" (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies") vous glacera le sang.

Country: Canada
Edition: 2003 English edition
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 1 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English
Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): DVE 065194 (top) 65194 (spine)

Remark:
This is actually the US edition of the DVD, officially imported in Canada by Warner Bros.
The edition has two official stickers:

1. one stating "DVD incluant version française" meaning "DVD featuring a french-dubbed version"
2. one with the official importation licence

Also worth noting: a new catalog number (DVE 065194 instead of 65194) and an official Warner Bros clear wrapping.

Only on this edition (since it is in fact the US edition):

• Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery")
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: Canada
Edition: 2007 French edition
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 1 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Local title: La maison du diable (cover) [The devil's house], The Haunting (disc)

Audio: French, English
Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): DVF 065835 (top) 65835F (spine)

Remark:
This is actually the Canadian English disc (thus the US disc), in a new francized Box, for the Canadian market. As a result, the box reads "La maison du diable" whilst the disc reads "The Haunting".

Only on this edition (since it is in fact the US edition):

• Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery")
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Vous ne croyez peut-être pas aux fantômes, mais vous ne pouvez pas échapper à la terreur !

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Cette maison était diabolique depuis le début, une maison mauvaise jusqu'aux fondations." Le lieu : un manoir vieux de 90 ans baptisé Hill House. Il est désert, ou du moins il semble désert. Mais donnez-vous la peine d'entrer. Et même si vous ne croyez pas aux fantômes, vous ne pouvez nier la terreur qui habite "La maison du diable".

Robert Wise est revenu au film d'horreur psychologique pour cette première adaptation cinématographique admirable de "Hantise", l'oeuvre de Shirley Jackson. Quatre personnes se rendent à la demeure afin d'y étudier ses phénomènes surnaturels. Ou est-ce la maison qui y aurait attiré au moins l'une d'elles ? La réponse que livre ce "film d'horreur tout à la fois raffiné, sinistre et divertissant" (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies") vous glacera le sang.

Country: USA
Edition: 2018
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono
Zone: (my copy is unplayed, sealed)

This compilation titled Silver screen icons, Horror gathers 4 movies:

• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
• House of Wax
• Village of the Damned
• The Haunting

Catalog number (reference): 3000077321, 1000707720

Remark:
My copy is still factory sealed. I am not sure if it contains 2 or more discs.
For some reason, this compilation is really cheap in the US (around 8 dollars) but outrageously expensive in Europe (around 40 euros).

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

The Haunting (1963), subtitles: English & Español.
Widescreen version presented in a "letterbox" widescreen format preserving the "scope" aspect ratio of its original theatrical exhibition. Enhanced for widescreen TVS.

South america

Country: Brazil
Edition: 20xx
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: Desafio do além [Challenge from beyond]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Remark:
I have several DVD covers, all supposedly from Brazil. Some of them are obviously bootlegs. I assume one of them is the official one, but I cannot guarantee it.

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Você pode não acreditar em fantasmas, mas não poderá ignorar o terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Europe

Country: France
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: La maison du diable [The devil's house]

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): Z7 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Vous pouvez échapper aux fantômes, mais pas à la terreur !

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original French)

Pour poursuivre ses expériences de parapsychologie, le professeur Markway réunit un groupe de personnes dans un vieux manoir réputé hanté. Dès la première nuit, les hôtes du professeur sont terrorisés par des bruits insolites. Eleanor est au bord de la dépression et le professeur lui conseille de partir. Elle refuse, prétendant que la maison la retient.

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

To continue his experiments in parapsychology, Professor Markway brings together a group of people in an old manor house that is reputedly haunted. From the very first night, the professor's guests are terrorized by unusual noises. Eleanor is on the verge of depression and the professor advises her to leave. She refuses, claiming that the house is holding her back.

Country: France
Edition: 2005
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: La maison du diable [The devil's house]

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): Z7 65194

Remark:
This is actually the french 2003 edition, wrapped in a new black and sepia cardbox: Légendes du cinéma: sélection fantastique

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Vous pouvez échapper aux fantômes, mais pas à la terreur !

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original French)

Pour poursuivre ses expériences de parapsychologie, le professeur Markway réunit un groupe de personnes dans un vieux manoir réputé hanté. Dès la première nuit, les hôtes du professeur sont terrorisés par des bruits insolites. Eleanor est au bord de la dépression et le professeur lui conseille de partir. Elle refuse, prétendant que la maison la retient.

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

To continue his experiments in parapsychology, Professor Markway brings together a group of people in an old manor house that is reputedly haunted. From the very first night, the professor's guests are terrorized by unusual noises. Eleanor is on the verge of depression and the professor advises her to leave. She refuses, claiming that the house is holding her back.

Country: France
Edition: 2013, Warner Home Collection
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: La maison du diable [The devil's house]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Country: France
Edition: 2013, Cine Club Warner
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: La maison du diable [The devil's house]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Vous pouvez échapper aux fantômes, mais pas à la terreur !

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Country: Belgium (French)
Edition: 2003 French edition
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: La maison du diable [The devil's house]

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): Z10 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Si vous ne croyez pas aux fantômes, comment expliquer votre peur ?

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original French)

"Ce fut dès le début une maison diabolique, une bâtisse construite sous une mauvaise étoile." Ce lieu, c'est Hill House, un manoir vieux de 90 ans. La demeure est inhabitée, c'est du moins ce que l'on croit. Mais ne restez pas là, entrez. Car si vous ne croyez pas aux fantômes, comment expliquer votre peur de "La maison du diable" ? Avec ce premier film tiré du roman de Shirley Jackson "La maison du diable de Hill House" (*), Robert Wise a su réaliser un petit joyau d'horreur psychologique. Quatre personnes viennent étudier au manoir les phénomènes surnaturels. Ou serait-ce la demeure qui aurait attiré au moins l'une d'entre elles ? A vous de découvrir la réponse en regardant ce thriller subtil et sinistre.

(*) Incorrect title. The title of the french edition of the book is "Maison hantée" (before 1999) and "Hantise" (after 1999)

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

"It was from the beginning an evil house, a building built under an evil star." This place is Hill House, a 90-year-old mansion. The house is uninhabited, or so it seems. But don't just stand there, come in. Because if you don't believe in ghosts, how can you explain your fear of "La maison du diable"? With this first film based on Shirley Jackson's novel "The Devil's House of Hill House" (*), Robert Wise has managed to make a little gem of psychological horror. Four people come to the manor to study supernatural phenomena. Or would it be the mansion that attracted at least one of them? It is up to you to find out the answer by watching this subtle and sinister thriller.

(*) Incorrect title. The title of the french edition of the book is "Maison hantée" (before 1999) and "Hantise" (after 1999)

Country: Belgium (Dutch) and Netherlands
Edition: 2003 Dutch edition
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): Z9 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Ook al geloof je niet in spoken, hoe verklaar je dan je angst?

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Het was een duivels huis vanaf het begin, een huis geboren onder een slecht gesternte." Die plaats is Hill House, een landhuis van 90 jaar oud. Er woont niemand, of daar lijkt het op. Maar kom gerust binnen. Want ook al geloof je niet in spoken, hoe verklaar je dan je angst voor "The Haunting"? Robert Wise maakte met deze eerste verfilming van Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" een pareltje van psychologische horror. Vier mensen komen naar het huis om er bovennatuurlijke fenomenen te onderzoeken. Of heeft het huis minstens iemand onder hen naar zich toe gelokt? Het verbijsterende antwoord krijg je in deze subtiele, sinistere griezelfilm.

Country: Netherlands
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Ook al geloof je niet in spoken, hoe verklaar je dan je angst?

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Country: Italy
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: Gli invasati [The Haunting]

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): Z8 65194

Remark:
There is an incredibly ugly moiré effect on the original cover. I'm sure it is an original disc and not a counterfeit because it has a Warner hologram sticker. And the picture disc looks absolutely normal, when I compare with the other editions. This moiré effect makes the scan really bad. I didn't apply any filter on purpose because it would blur the image. I guess the local studio didn't have the original artwork and re-scanned it from somewhere. Or the print shop applied an incorrect setting somewhere. Anyway the result looks really unprofessional.

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Un thriller sovrannaturale che lascia senza fiato".

"È sempre stata una casa maledetta sin dall'inizio, una casa nata male". Si tratta di una vecchia villa di 90 anni chiamata Hill House. Nessuno ci vive, o cosi almeno sembra... Ma, per piacere, evitate di entrare. Perché anche se non credete ai fantasmi, non è possibile sottrarsi al terrore de GLI INVASATI. Robert Wise ritorna all'horror psicologico in questo tanto ammirato primo adattamento cinematografico del romanzo di Shirley Jackson, GLI INVASATI. Quattro persone entrano nella casa per studiare i suoi fenomeni sovrannaturali. O forse è la casa che ha richiamato uno di loro? In questo film horror sinistro ma con classe, la risposta vi snerverà fino all'ultimo. Da cardiopalma!

Country: Italy
Edition: 2015, Golem video edition
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (my copy is unplayed, yet)

Local title: Gli invasati [The Haunting]

Audio: English, Italian
Subtitles: Italian
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): 8051766032028

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

In una villa disabitata da tempo si verificano inspiegabili fenomeni paranormali. La gente del luogo è terrorizzata tanto da decidere di reclutare un esperto di paranormale: il dottor Markway. Per studiare meglio i fenomeni, costui si installa nell'abitazione in compagnia di tre donne, due delle quali sono medium.

La pellicola, diretta da maestro Robert Wise risulta essere una sconvolgente esperienza sensoriale, dove la paura, suggerita e più agghiacciante di qualsiasi immagine orrifica, è quella dell'ignoto e dove proprio la villa al cui interno si svolge quasi tutta l'azione, finisce per diventare la vera protagonista "emotiva" del film. Capolavoro di imperdibile visione.

Country: Italy
Edition: 2019, Golem video edition
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (my copy is unplayed, yet)

Local title: Gli invasati [The Haunting]

Audio: English, Italian
Subtitles: Italian
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): TV1719, 8054317084170

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
Cineclub horror

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

In una villa disabitata da tempo si verificano inspiegabili fenomeni paranormali. La gente del luogo è terrorizzata tanto da decidere di reclutare un esperto di paranormale: il dottor Markway. Per studiare meglio i fenomeni, costui si installa nell'abitazione in compagnia di tre donne, due delle quali sono medium.

La pellicola, diretta da maestro Robert Wise risulta essere una sconvolgente esperienza sensoriale, dove la paura, suggerita e più agghiacciante di qualsiasi immagine orrifica, è quella dell'ignoto e dove proprio la villa al cui interno si svolge quasi tutta l'azione, finisce per diventare la vera protagonista "emotiva" del film. Capolavoro di imperdibile visione.

Country: UK
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): Z1 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: UK
Edition: 2020, slipcase with 2003 DVD edition
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (my copy is unplayed, yet)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): 1000085961, 5000269119 (Slipcase) & D0 65194 (DVD)

Remark:
This new black cardboard slipcase reveals a re-print (new reference) of the regular shrink wrapped UK DVD.

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: Germany
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 5)

Local title: Bis das Blut gefriert [Until the blood freezes]

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): Z5 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

In der alten Villa "Hill House" soll es nicht mit rechten Dingen zugehen: Das Haus sei verflucht und durch und durch böse, heißt es. Nachdem es zu mysteriösen Todesfällen gekommen ist, wollen vier Menschen, darunter ein Professor, die übernatürlichen Phänomene des Spukschlosses untersuchen. Niemand wohnt dort Angeblich...

Mit dieser berühmten ersten Verfilmung von Shirley Jackson "Spuk in Hill House" lieferte Regisseur Robert Wise ("Der Leichendieb") ein Meisterwerk des subtilen Grauens ab. 1999 wurde dieser "für die Entstehungszeit überdurchschnittliche Gespensterfilm" (Lexicon des internationalen films) unter dem Titel "Das Geisterschloss" neu verfilmt.

Country: Germany
Edition: 2003, Later reissue, with different cover and new reference
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 5)

Local title: Bis das Blut gefriert [Until the blood freezes]

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): 1000052863

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

In der alten Villa "Hill House" soll es nicht mit rechten Dingen zugehen: Das Haus sei verflucht und durch und durch böse, heißt es. Nachdem es zu mysteriösen Todesfällen gekommen ist, wollen vier Menschen, darunter ein Professor, die übernatürlichen Phänomene des Spukschlosses untersuchen. Niemand wohnt dort Angeblich...

Mit dieser berühmten ersten Verfilmung von Shirley Jackson "Spuk in Hill House" lieferte Regisseur Robert Wise ("Der Leichendieb") ein Meisterwerk des subtilen Grauens ab. 1999 wurde dieser "für die Entstehungszeit überdurchschnittliche Gespensterfilm" (Lexicon des internationalen films) unter dem Titel "Das Geisterschloss" neu verfilmt.

Country: Germany
Edition: 2003, Another later reissue, with different cover
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: Bis das Blut gefriert [Until the blood freezes]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Country: Hungary
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 5)

Local title: A ház hideg szíve [The house has a cold heart]

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): Z16 91100 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Ha a kísértetekben nem is hiszel, azt megtudhatod, milyen a hamisítatlan borzalom!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original Hungarian)

"Kezdetektől fogva a gonosz háza volt, egy ház mely rossz csillagzat alatt épült." A színhely a Hill House 90 éve elhagyatott villája. Egy lélek sem lakja, legalábbis úgy tűnik. De azért fáradjanak csak beljebb! Ha a kísértetekben nem is hisznek, itt megtudhatják, mit is jelent maga a borzalom.

Robert Wise, a pszicho-horror szakértője és nagyra becsült rendezője elsőként vitte vászonra Shirley Jackson hátborzongató a Hill House-ról. Négy fiatal kutató érkezik a hírhedt kastélyba, hogy ott tanulmányozzák a már legendává vált természetfeletti jelenségeket. Vagy a ház akarta, hogy odamenjek? A válaszra fény derül, de jól gondold meg, kíváncsi vagy-e rá!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

"The house was evil since the beginning. Its construction was cursed." We are in Hill House, a mansion that has been abandoned for 90 years. Nobody lives there, or so it seems. But, please, do come in. Even if you do not believe in ghosts, you will see what horror really means.

Robert Wise, a specialist in psycho-horror and renowned director is the first to have turned Shirley Jackson's terrifying Hill House story into a film. Four young seekers visit the wicked mansion to study supernatural phenomena that have gained notoriety. Or can it be the house calling them? The answer will be revealed but you might not want to find it out.

Country: Spain
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 5)

Local title: The Haunting: La mansión encantada [The Haunted Mansion]

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): Z4 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

¡No podràs evitar sentir terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

Desde el principio fue un lugar maldito. La mansión, construida hace 90 años, se encuentra deshabitada... o eso parece. El director Robert Wise regresa al cine de terror con la primera y más notable y aclamada recreación cinematográfica basada en la célebre novela de Shirley Jackson.

Cuatro personas se adentran en la mansión encantada para investigar sus poderes sobrenaturales y descubrir por qué sus moradores siempre han perdido la vida.

Incluso si no crees en fenómenos paranormales no podrás escapar del terror en "The Haunting: La mansión encantada"

Country: Spain
Edition: 2003, The layout of the title is very different, plus there is no Spanish text in the blue banner.
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: The Haunting: La mansión encantada [The Haunted Mansion]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover
(I don't own that disc)

Country: Spain
Edition: 2003, Later reissue without spanish title
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 5)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): Z4 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

¡No podràs evitar sentir terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

Desde el principio fue un lugar maldito. La mansión, construida hace 90 años, se encuentra deshabitada... o eso parece. El director Robert Wise regresa al cine de terror con la primera y más notable y aclamada recreación cinematográfica basada en la célebre novela de Shirley Jackson.

Cuatro personas se adentran en la mansión encantada para investigar sus poderes sobrenaturales y descubrir por qué sus moradores siempre han perdido la vida.

Incluso si no crees en fenómenos paranormales no podrás escapar del terror en "The Haunting: La mansión encantada"

Country: Spain
Edition: 2003, Supposedly edited by A.V.H. San Luis S.R.L.
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: La casa embrujada [The Haunted House]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): (I don't own that disc)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Puedes no creer en fantasmas... ¡Pero no podrás negar el horror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

Desde el principio fue un lugar maldito, una casa que nació mal. El lugar es una casa construida hace 90 años, llamada la casa de la colina. Nadie vive allí, o al menos eso parece. Pero pasen, por favor. Porque aunque ustedes no crean en fantasmas, nadie podrá negar el horror de "La casa embrujada". Robert Wise regresa al terror psicológico con esta admirable primera adaptación a la pantalla de la novela "The Haunting", de Shirley Jackson. Cuatro personas ingresan a la casa para estudiar sus fenómenos sobrenaturales ¿o ha sido la casa lo que ha atraído a por lo menos uno de ellos? La respuesta los perturbará en esta película de terror elegantemente siniestra. Una buena diversión.

Country: Spain
Edition: 2015, Regasa films edition
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (my copy is unplayed, yet)

Local title: The Haunting: La casa encantada [The Haunted House]

Audio: English, Spanish
Subtitles: Spanish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): 8436532912122

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

Acompañado de un grupo de personas, un científico se instala en una vieja mansión, donde se han cometido terribles y misteriosos crímenes. Su objetivo es comprobar si aún siguen produciéndose en el lugar fenómenos extraños. Una de las invitadas es la Eleanor, cuyas habilidades psíquicas le hacen sospechar que de algún modo está conectada con los espíritus que todavía habitan la vieja mansión.

Country: Spain
Edition: 2016
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: The Haunting: La mansión encantada [The Haunted Mansion]

Audio: (I don't own that disc)
Subtitles: (I don't own that disc)
Hearing impaired: (I don't own that disc)

Catalog number (reference): 4N 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

¡No podràs evitar sentir terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

Desde el principio fue un lugar maldito. La mansión, construida hace 90 años, se encuentra deshabitada... o eso parece. El director Robert Wise regresa al cine de terror con la primera y más notable y aclamada recreación cinematográfica basada en la célebre novela de Shirley Jackson.

Cuatro personas se adentran en la mansión encantada para investigar sus poderes sobrenaturales y descubrir por qué sus moradores siempre han perdido la vida.

Incluso si no crees en fenómenos paranormales no podrás escapar del terror en "The Haunting: La mansión encantada"

Country: Sweden
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: (I don't own that disc)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): Z11 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Du kanske inte tror på spöken, men du kan inte förneka skräcken!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Det var ett ondskefullt hus, ett hus där ondskan funnits från början."
Platsen är den 90-år gamla gården som kallas Hill House. Ingen bor där, eller det tycks verka så... Men du är välkommen in. För även om du inte tror på spöken, så finns ingen tvivel om den skräck och terror som råder i "The Haunting."
Robert Wise återgick till psykologisk skräck i denna mycket beundrade filmanpassning av Shirley Jacksons "The Haunting of Hill House." Fyra personer kommer till huset för att studera dess övernaturlighet. Eller är det så att det är huset självt som lockat dit minst en av de fyra? Svaret kommer att förlama dig...

Country: Portugal
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 5)

Local title: A casa maldita [The damned house]

Audio: German, English, Spanish
Subtitles: German, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Icelandic, Swedish, Greek, Hungarian, Polish, Turkish
Hearing impaired: German, English

Catalog number (reference): Z17 65194 (on disc: N2 65194)

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

Pode não acreditar em fantasmas, Mas não ha como negar o medo.

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"Esta sempre foi uma casa maligna, uma casa nascida para o mal." A casa é uma mansão chamada Hill House. Ninguém lá vive. Ou pelo menos assim parece. Por favor, entrem para verificar.

Mesmo para quem não acredite em fantasmas, não há como negar o medo quase palpável provocado por deste clássico do cinema. "A Casa Maldita" marco o regresso de Robert Wise aos thrillers psicológicos com esta primeira adaptação ao cinema do livro de Shirley Jackson "The Haunting of Hill House."

Quatro pessoas visitam uma casa abandonada para investigar os seus supostos fenómenos sobrenaturais... ou será que foi a casa que os atraiu propositadamente? A resposta vai-lhe dar arrepios este "elegante e sinistro clássico do terror" (Pauline Kael, 5001 nights at the Movies).

Asia

Country: Japan
Edition: 2003
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 2 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2)

Local title: たたり [Haunting]

Audio: English
Subtitles: Japanese (movie), Japanese (commentary)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): DL 65194

Remark:
The original packaging was the OBI depicted on the first picture (at 2.980 JPY). The second picture depicts a reprint with a new OBI (three times cheaper, at 980 JPY). The disc might also come without OBI, or with a sticker.

Only on this edition:

• Subtitles for the Bonus commentary by director Robert Wise, screenwriter Nelson Gidding, Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original Japanese)

ニューイングランドの郊外にたたず€巨大な館。 "丘の家"と呼ばれるその館は、呪われた不吉の象徴であった。 ここに目をつけた超常現象の研究家マークウェイ博士は、超感覚を持つ2人の 女性エレナーとセオドーラを伴い屋敷に乗り込む。やがて不可思議な現象が館を包み始めた——。 シャーリー*ジャクソンのベストセラー小説『丘の家の怪』の映画化作品にして、1999年にヤン•デ*ボン監 督によってリメイクされた『ホーンティングjのオリジナルにあたる本作品。監督の〇バート，ワイズが ミュージカルの巨匠としてではなく、『地球の静止する日』を撮った手腕を見せつける古典的傑作！

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

A huge house on the suburbs of New England. The "House on the Hill", as it is called, is a cursed and sinister symbol. Dr. Markway, a researcher of the supernatural, is accompanied by two women with supernatural powers, Eleanor and Theodora, who enter the house. Before long, a mysterious phenomenon begins to envelop the house. This film is an adaptation of Shirley Jackson's best-selling novel The Haunting of Hill House, and is the original of The Haunting, which was remade by Jan de Bont in 1999. A classic that shows that director Robert Wise is not only a master of musicals, but also the man who made The Day the Earth Stood Still!

Oceania

Country: Australia
Edition: 2003
Colour system: PAL
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: 4 (in practice, the disc is encoded for the zones: 2, 4, 5)

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English, Italian
Subtitles: French, English, Italian, Arabic, Dutch
Hearing impaired: English, Italian

Catalog number (reference): 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

Recommended for mature audiences 15 years and over
Horror theme

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

Country: Australia
Edition: 2017
Colour system: NTSC
Sound: Mono (Dolby Digital 1.0)
Zone: All

Local title: The Haunting

Audio: French, English
Subtitles: French, English, Spanish
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): (none)

Remark:
This 2017 Australian edition is really strange. Practically speaking, it is a copy of the US edition: same duration, same bonuses, same languages and subtitles. It's NTSC (USA) instead of PAL (Australia). It's zone free, like the original US edition: officially a Zone 1 release but practically speaking, the disc was encoded for the Zones 1 to 4. It was released by Amsell entertainment and distributed in Australia under license. Strangely, I couldn't find any catalogue or reference number: nothing on the sleeve, nothing on the disc...

Only on this edition:

• Excerpts from Robert Wise's copy of the screenplay, with handwritten comments (in "Stills gallery")
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" essay
• Additional section in the "Features" menu: Cast and Crew

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"It was an evil house from the beginning, a house that was born bad." The place is the 90-year-old mansion called Hill House. No one lives there. Or so it seems. But please do come in. Because even if you don't believe in ghosts, there is no denying the terror of "The Haunting."

Robert Wise returned to psychological horror for this much admired, first adaptation of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill house." Four people 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 in this elegantly sinister scare movie. It is good fun. (Pauline Kael, "5001 nights at the movies").

The 2003 blue DVD cover

You might believe that the blue DVD cover is an especially new designed cover. I'm sorry but... no, this new cover was made out of the 1963 MGM campaign promo A3 booklet. The original drawing was re-used, without the text.
See below the cover of the original MGM booklet plus a blue-tinted version of a close-up of the drawing...

To be comprehensive, I also have to add that the same drawing was used in 1964 in France for the "blue" and the "red" posters. Indeed, two slightly different posters were produced in France, and strangely enough they do not reuse the familiar "labyrinth " artwork.

1. A huge "blue" one, reusing the drawing and adding a skeleton's hand.
2. A regular size "red" one, reusing the original picture that was used for the drawing, creating a different artwork.

Summary of the 2003 Warner editions

The languages

With all this profusion of editions from Warner all released around 2003, you might believe that there is a huge variety of available versions. As a matter of fact, this is not true: A lot of identical discs were re-used in different countries. The only changes were merely cosmetic: (sometimes) a translated title, a localized translated front and back cover for the DVD case, and a different picture for the DVD disc itself.

In the end, I only identified 6 different variations, 6 different "masters" that were re-used:
(This numbering is completely arbitrary, it is just a way for me to differentiate them)

Here is a summary of the situation for this 2003 Warner DVD:

	Master #1	Master #2	Master #3	Master #4	Master #5	Master #6
Audio
English
French
German
Italian
Spanish
Movie subtitles
Arabic
Dutch
English
French
German
Greek
Hungarian
Icelandic
Italian
Japanese
Polish
Portuguese
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
Commentary subtitles
Japanese
Hearing impaired
English
German
Italian

The truth about the DVD zones

In theory, the zone-based protection system is used to control the worldwide availability of a movie. It really makes sense when a movie has just been released: when a movie is released in the USA on DVD, it might still be in the cinemas across Europe. The availability of the DVD in Europe at the same time might compromise the success in the cinemas.

For a movie that was released a long time ago, it is quite different. The issue is not the worldwide availability; it is just a matter of taxes. The DVDs are not available at the same price everywhere in the world. So the zone-based protection system can be used to prevent "cheaper" editions from abroad to be imported and sold locally, cheaper than the local edition.

For "The Haunting", it is funny to realise that the discs are mostly playable in different zones, although the sleeve leads us to believe that the zone-based protection system is strictly enforced.

You will find below a table that sums up everything.

This is based on my own personal collection of DVD editions. This information is provided "as is", without any guarantee of any kind. I cannot promise you that newer pressings will have the same properties and protections.

How to interpret the table?
On a row, you have got the list of the various editions that you can play in that zone.
In a column, you have got the list of zones where you can play this edition.

	Master #1	Master #2	Master #3	Master #4	Master #5	Master #6
Zone
1 (USA, Canada)
2 (West-EU, Japan, South Africa)
3 (Southeast Asia)
4 (AUS, South America)
5 (RUS, East-EU, Africa)
6 (China)
7 (Reserved)
8 (International venues)

The lucky ones are the people with a DVD player from zone 2 because they can play all the various Warner editions of the movie, except the Brazilian edition [I don't own this disc, I'm guessing].

VCD editions

Technical details

Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: September 18, 1963
VCD Release Date: 1999 (Singapore) 2000 (philippines)
Running Time: 112 minutes (original duration)
Production Company: Warner
Package Type: Jewel Case
Aspect ratio: 4:3
Available Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles/Captions in foreign languages: (none)
Colour: Black and White
Physical disc: 2 Discs, Picture Discs (approx 55 and 57 minutes each)

Asia

Country: Singapore
Edition: 1999
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): 50903

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

You may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny terror!

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever.

Dr. Markway is an anthropologist with a special interest in psychic phenomena who wants to try a true exercise in terror. Intrigued by the legend of Hill House, he invites two women, psychic researchers, to join him in his adventure. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited the old mansion, is suspicious of Dr. Mayway's intentions and insists that her young nephew Luke go along with the group. Luke is skeptic about the supernatural, until he enters Dr. Marway's eerie world.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Like Luke, you may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

Country: Philippines
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): 65194C

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever.

Dr. Markway is an anthropologist with a special interest in psychic phenomena who wants to try a true exercise in terror. Intrigued by the legend of Hill House, he invites two women, psychic researchers, to join him in his adventure. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited the old mansion, is suspicious of Dr. Mayway's intentions and insists that her young nephew Luke go along with the group. Luke is skeptic about the supernatural, until he enters Dr. Marway's eerie world.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Like Luke, you may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

LaserDisc editions

Technical details

Studio: MGM/UA
Theatrical Release Date: September 18, 1963
LaserDisc Release Date: 1986 (USA, Pan and Scan), 1993 (USA, LetterBox), 1999 (Japan, Letterbox)
Running Time: 112 minutes (original duration)
Production Company: MGM/UA
Package Type: 12inch printed laserdisc sleeve with picture
Available Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles/Captions in foreign languages: (none)
Colour: Black and White
Physical disc: 1 Disc, 2-Sided

North america

Country: USA
Edition: 1986 Pan and Scan edition
Rotation speed: CLV (Constant Linear Velocity aka Extended Play)
Sound: Mono
Aspect ratio: 4:3 Pan and Scan

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): ML100903

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever to be put on celluloid.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Its premise is simple: Dr. Markway, a trained anthropologist with a special interest in psychic research, wants to try want he hopes will be a true exercise in terror. He is heard about the reputation of Hill House, which claimed the lives of several of its young inhabitants, and invites two carefully selected assistants to join him. The one thing they have in common is experiences with the supernatural. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited Hill House, insists that her young nephew, Luke (Tamblyn), go along with the group so that nothing improper can go on between the unmarried women and the handsome Dr. Markway. The young nephew is a skeptic until he enters the eerie world of Hill House. Like him, you may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

Country: USA
Edition: 1993 Letterbox edition
Rotation speed: CLV (Constant Linear Velocity aka Extended Play)
Sound: Mono
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (unknown exact ratio)

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): ML104605

Only on this edition:

• English original trailer

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover
(no text)

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever.

Dr. Markway is an anthropologist with a special interest in psychic phenomena who wants to try a true exercise in terror. Intrigued by the legend of Hill House, he invites two women, psychic researchers, to join him in his adventure. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited the old mansion, is suspicious of Dr. Mayway's intentions and insists that her young nephew Luke go along with the group. Luke is skeptic about the supernatural, until he enters Dr. Marway's eerie world.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Like Luke, you may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

Asia

Country: Japan
Edition: 1999 edition
Rotation speed: CLV (Constant Linear Velocity aka Extended Play)
Sound: Mono
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (unknown exact ratio)

Audio: English
Subtitles: Japanese
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): PILF 2412

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

たたり [Haunting, on the OBI]

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original Japanese)

ニューイングランドにある90年前に建てられた丘の上の家ヒル八ウス。そこには殺人と不可解な死、 狂気の歴史があった。心霊研究のジョン•マークウェイ博士は、霊感の強い女性2人をヒル八ウスに招い て実験をするという計画を立てる。マークウェイ博士、ヒルハウスの相続人ルーク•サンダーソン、それ に霊能力者として神経質なェレノアと気の強いセオドラの合計4人が古く、大きな屋敷に集まった。1番 のりしたェレノアは、表情のないメイドに迎え入れられる。理由もなく不安と恐怖を覚え、逃げ出したく なるェレノアだが、セオドラやマークウェイ博士たちと会い、実験に参加する決意を固くした。豪華な館 と素晴らしい晩餐に喜ぶェレノア。だが、さっそくその夜から怪現象を体験することになった…。

モノクロームの映像で静かに、効果的に恐怖を描くホラー映画の傑作だ。監督は巨匠□バート•ワイズ。 この『たたり』は、『ウェスト•サイド物語』（61)と大ヒット作『サウンド•オブ•ミュージック』（65)の間 に作られた作品である。1914年生まれのワイズが監督した映画は40本にも及ぶ。静かながら恐怖感 を盛り上げる見事な演出力を見せている。シャーリー•ジャクソンの原作小説「The Haunting of Hill House」はヤン•デ•ポン監督が映画化の準備を進めている。脚色を担当したネルソン•ギッディングは、 この後再びマイケル•クライトン原作の『アンドロメダ…』（71)でロバート•ワイズ監督と組んだ。プロ ダクション•デザインのェリオットスコットは50年代から映画美術の仕事をしているベテランで、『ラビ リンス/魔王の迷宮』（86)、『インディ•ジョーンズ/魔宮の伝説』（84)なども手がけている。

ェレノア役のジュリー•八リスは1925年生まれ。『ェデンの東』（55)ではジェームズ•ディーンの相 手役をつとめ、出演映画作品は50本にも及び現在も活躍中のベテラン女優である。衣裳デザイナーとし ても活躍しており、『ダーリング』（65)ではアカデミー賞衣裳デザイン賞を受賞した。セオドラに扮した クレア•ブルームは1931年生まれのイギリス人女優。チャップリンの『ライムライト』（52)でテリー役 に大抜擢されて以来、コンスタントに映画出演を続けている。近年作に『デイライト』（96)などがある。 マークウェイ博士役のリチャード•ジョンソンは1927年生まれのイギリス人俳優。『クロスポー作戦』 (65)や『カーツーム』（66)などに出演、現在も活躍中である。

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

Hill House, a 90-year-old hilltop house in New England. It has a history of murder, unexplained death and madness. Dr. John Markway, a psychic researcher, plans to invite two psychic women to perform experiments at Hill House. Dr. Markway, Luke Sanderson, the heir to Hill House, and two psychics, the nervous Eleanor and the strong-willed Theodora, gather in an old, large house. The first to arrive, Eleanor is greeted by a faceless maid who makes her feel uneasy and afraid for no reason. She wants to run away, but after meeting Theodora and Dr. Markway, she is determined to take part in the experiment. Elenore is delighted by the splendour of the house and the fabulous dinner. But that night she begins to experience strange phenomena...

This is a masterpiece of horror film that depicts fear quietly and effectively in monochrome images. Directed by master filmmaker Robert Wise. Born in 1914, Wise has directed over 40 films, all of which have been quietly terrifying. "The Haunting of Hill House", a novel by Shirley Jackson, is being prepared for film by Jan de Bont. Adapted by Nelson Gidding, who later worked with Robert Wise again on Michael Crichton's "Andromeda" (1971). Production designer Elliott Scott, a veteran of the film art world since the 1950s, also worked on "Labyrinth" (1986) and "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984).

Julie Harris, who plays Eleanor, was born in 1925. She played James Dean's partner in "East of Eden" (1955) and has appeared in over fifty films and is still an active veteran actress. She has also worked as a costume designer and won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for "Darling" (1965). Theodora is played by Claire Bloom, a British actress born in 1931. She was cast as Terry in Chaplin's "The Limelight" (1952) and has appeared in films consistently ever since. Recent films include "Daylight" (1996). Richard Johnson, who plays Dr. Markway, is a British actor born in 1927. He has appeared in films such as "Operation Crossbow" (1965) and "Khartoum" (1966) and is still active.

Country: Japan
Edition: 1999 edition
Rotation speed: CLV (Constant Linear Velocity aka Extended Play)
Sound: Mono
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (unknown exact ratio)

Audio: English
Subtitles: Japanese
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): PILF 2412
Promotional copy

As a matter of fact, it looks exactly like the commercial copy described above, except that the back side features a "LaserDisc Sample" sticker. I acquired this new item in December 2019, and it is still sealed. I guess, I assume that "Sample" also appears on the disc label? Practically speaking, I don't intend to open it so I'll never know about a possible insert or any other promotional item that would be enclosed.

VHS and Betamax editions

Foreword

Numerous editions were probably released in VHS and Betamax over the years but I don't own many of them. I must confess VHS and Betamax editions have got very low or no interest at all these days.

I don't have any proof of its existence but I guest that a Japanese Betamax tape must exist. If we are lucky, a VHD might exist too?

North america

Country: USA
Format: VHS
Edition: 1986
Colour system: NTSC
Aspect ratio: (my copy is unplayed, yet)
Studio: MGM/UA
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): MV600903

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever to be put on celluloid.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Its premise is simple: Dr. Markway, a trained anthropologist with a special interest in psychic research, wants to try what the hopes will be a true exercise in terror. He's heard about the reputation of Hill House, which claimed the lives of several of its young inhabitants, and invites two carefully selected assistants to join him. The one thing they have in common in experiences with the supernatural. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited Hill House, insists that her young nephew, Luke (Tamblyn), go along with the group so that nothing improper can go on between the unmarried women and the handsome Dr. Markway. The young nephew is skeptic until he enters the eerie world of Hill House. Like him, you may not believe in ghosts but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

Country: USA
Format: Betamax
Edition: 1986
Colour system: NTSC
Aspect ratio: (my copy is unplayed, yet)
Studio: MGM/UA
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): MB600903

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever to be put on celluloid.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Its premise is simple: Dr. Markway, a trained anthropologist with a special interest in psychic research, wants to try what the hopes will be a true exercise in terror. He's heard about the reputation of Hill House, which claimed the lives of several of its young inhabitants, and invites two carefully selected assistants to join him. The one thing they have in common in experiences with the supernatural. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited Hill House, insists that her young nephew, Luke (Tamblyn), go along with the group so that nothing improper can go on between the unmarried women and the handsome Dr. Markway. The young nephew is skeptic until he enters the eerie world of Hill House. Like him, you may not believe in ghosts but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

Country: USA
Format: VHS
Edition: 1990
Colour system: NTSC
Aspect ratio: (my copy is unplayed, yet)
Studio: MGM/UA
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): M600903

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover

"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever.

Dr. Markway is an anthropologist with a special interest in psychic phenomena who wants to try a true exercise in terror. Intrigued by the legend of Hill House, he invites two women, psychic researchers, to join him in his adventure. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited the old mansion, is suspicious of Dr. Mayway's intentions and insists that her young nephew Luke go along with the group. Luke is skeptic about the supernatural, until he enters Dr. Marway's eerie world.

The classic forerunner of such films as 'Poltergeist' and 'The shining', 'The Haunting' is a hair-raising screen rendition of Shirley Jackson's riveting gothic novel, 'The Haunting of Hill House'. Like Luke, you may not believe in ghosts, but you cannot deny the terror of 'The Haunting'!

Country: USA
Format: VHS
Edition: This is supposedly a 1990 VHS, released in the USA, with an alternate cover. To be confirmed
Colour system: NTSC

Europe

Country: UK
Format: VHS
Edition: This is supposedly a 19xx VHS, released in the UK. To be confirmed
Colour system: PAL

Country: UK
Format: VHS
Edition: 1995, horror classic, special collector's edition (with 3 cards)
Colour system: PAL
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (unknown exact ratio)
Studio: MGM/Turner
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: (none)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): S054605

Remark:
This edition contains 3 two-sided collector's cards.
The main side is a picture, the other side is a printed text.
I actually own several copies of this edition. They come with or without the "Remastered" sticker; and strangely, with or without the cards — although the cover claims that this is a collectors' special edition with collectors' pack.

Card Haunting facts:
† Robert Wise was the director of a very diverse set of movies, amongst them several of the keystones of intelligent horror & science fiction film-making - 'The Andromeda Strain', 'Audrey Rose', 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' and the first incarnation on the large screen of the Star Trek story. He also directed grandma's favourite movie - The Sound Of Music' and 'West Side Story'.
† Film-maker, author, doctor, and one man renaissance, Michael Crichton drew upon his experience on set when Wise filmed his novel 'The Andromeda Strain', when making his debut as a film director with 'Westworld', taking many tips from the experienced director.
† Russ Tamblyn plays the sceptic nephew in the film, though he later threw off this scepticism of the supernatural in his role as the doctor in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks'.
† The extraordinary effects were created with the revolutionary use of infrared film stock, which had to be specially flown over from Belgium.
† The house used in the film can be found just outside Stratford-Upon-Avon
† Lois Maxwell plays the wife of Dr. Markway. She is famous for her role as the luckless suitor of James Bond, the long suffering Miss Moneypenny.
† Claire Bloom was discovered by Charlie Chaplin for his masterpiece Limelight, in 1952.
† In true Scooby Doo fashion, the technicians working on the film experienced many spooky creaking sounds and doors suddenly closing... whilst they were working to recreate spooky creaking sounds and doors suddenly closing... Shaggy! Daphne!

Card The haunted house:
A staple of the horror novel, the horror film and indeed the flimsy premise for the long running 'Scooby Doo' programme, where every week the Mystery Machine would pull up outside an old mansion / castle / funfair (delete as appropriate), is that of the haunted house.
The prerequisite for a haunted house story on film is a starring role for the house itself, which is preferably built in the Gothic or Edwardian style. The architecture of the 17th century is preferred, but anything up until Victorian time may be considered suitable. Furnishings? Brocade, velvet and oak floors would pass, set off with a few essential accessories: a huge fireplace, sets of mediaeval armour and wrought candelabras. Horror film-makers and set designers go to great lengths to procure exactly the right building for the film, and The Haunting' was no different as Wise and Boulton scoured England & Wales for weeks to find a manor house that could pass for the Hill House, a New England mansion where three mysterious deaths have occurred. The local legend about the Hill House is that evil surrounds it, having being 'born bad'. As the malevolent spirit isn't seen in the film, much of the dramatic tension had to come from the set itself, further emphasising the need for a ghostly presence from the house itself.
Interestingly the use of the building as a central character has continued up until the present day as witnessed by the star turn from the Fox building in 'Die Hard' and the forthcoming film based on Philip Kerr's novel 'Gridiron', about a clever skyscraper.

Card The Haunting:
Cast
Julie HARRIS... Eleanor VANCE
Claire BLOOM... Theodora
Richard JOHNSON... Dr. John MARKWAY
Russ TAMBLYN... Luke SANDERSON
Lois MAXWELL... Grace MARKWAY
Rosalie CRUTCHLEY... Mrs. DUDLEY
Fay COMPTON... Mrs. SANDERSON
Valentine DYALL... Mr. DUDLEY
Diane CLARE... Carrie FREDERICKS
Ronald ADAM... Eldridge HARPER

Behind The Camera
Director... Robert WISE
Screenplay... Nelson GIDDING
... based on a novel by Shirley JACKSON
Music... Humphrey SEARLS
Director of Photography... David BOULTON
Production, Designer... Elliot SCOTT
Special Effects... Tom HOWARD F.R.P.S.
Editor... Ernest WALTER

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(no text)

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"An evil old house, the kind some people call haunted, is like an undiscovered country waiting to be explored. Hill House has 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." Thus begins one of the most chilling, most frightening, truly unforgettable horror films ever.

Dr. Markway is an anthropologist with a special interest in psychic phenomena who wants to try a true exercise in terror. Intrigued by the legend of Hill House, he invites two women, psychic researchers, to join him in his adventure. Mrs. Sannerson, who has inherited the old mansion, is suspicious of Dr. Mayway's intentions and insists that her young nephew Luke go along with the group. Luke is skeptic about the supernatural, until he enters Dr. Marway's eerie world.

Asia

Country: Japan
Format: VHS
Edition: 1987
Colour system: NTSC
Aspect ratio: (my copy is unplayed, yet)
Studio: MGM/UA
Sound: Mono

Audio: (my copy is unplayed, yet)
Subtitles: (my copy is unplayed, yet)
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): V158F8654

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たたり [Haunting]

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original Japanese)

ついに陽の舊を見る幻の恐怖映藤
人里離れた森の中に立つ館は、相次いで惨劇が起り、幽霊屋敷の噂がたって百年になる。そこへこの奇怪な家の謎の解明に霊感にめぐまれた二人の女性をつれて人類学者がやって来る……。監督は「ウェスト•サイド物語」の巨匠ロバート•ワイズでフアン待望のビデオ化。(1963年度作品•同年日本公開)

 

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The phantom fear of Eito finally sees the light of day
A house in the middle of a remote forest has been rumoured to be haunted for a hundred years after a series of tragedies. Then, an anthropologist arrives with two psychic women to solve the mystery of this strange house. ...... Directed by Robert Wise, the master of "West Side Story", this is the long-awaited video version. (1963 film - released in Japan the same year)

Country: Japan
Format: VHS
Edition: 2000
Colour system: NTSC
Aspect ratio: 4:3
Studio: MGM/Turner
Sound: Mono

Audio: English
Subtitles: Japanese
Hearing impaired: (none)

Catalog number (reference): WG 65194

Here is the text that can be found on the front cover

たたり [Haunting]

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (original Japanese)

巨匿ロバートワイズによる
(「ウェスト•サイド物語J)
ホラーの名作!
人里離れた森の中に立つ古い館ヒルハウス。 100年もの間慘劇を繰り返してきたこの家に、 心霊現象を研究する人類学者と霊感のあるふた りの女性が現れる。そこで彼らを待ち受けてい たものは……/ベストセラー小説を映画化。長 い廊下や階段シーンでは28mmレンズで歪ん たよつな映像効果を生み出し、_集出身の監督ロバート•ワイズならではの腕が光る。リメイク版（「ホーンティング」1999年）を筆頭に、その後のホラーに大きく影響を与えた傑作。

 

Here is the text that can be found on the back cover (English translation)

By the great Robert Wise
("West Side Story")
A masterpiece of horror!
Hill House is an old house in the middle of a remote forest. An anthropologist who studies psychic phenomena and two psychic women come to this house, which has been looking at these cases for 100 years. What awaits them there is ....../ An adaptation of the best-selling novel. In the long corridor and staircase scenes, the 28mm lens creates a distorted visual effect, which is the skill of Robert Wise, the director from the collection. A masterpiece that has influenced many horror films since, not least the remake ("The Haunting", 1999).

Documentaries

Eli Roth's "History of Horror"

Show: Eli Roth's "History of Horror"
Episode: Season 1, Episode 7 "Ghost stories"
Duration: 42 minutes
Description: Ghost movies have been with us since the dawn of cinema. Some ghosts are benevolent, some ghosts are malicious, but they all represent the mystery of what happens to us after we die. Stephen King, Haley Joel Osment and others break down the appeal of spooky spirits. ~ Source: AMC.

All details on the IMDb site.

This episode features a segment about "The Haunting", with very positive comments from:

• Alex Winter (Actor/Director)
• Mick Garris (Creator Masters of Horror)
• Christopher Young (Composer)
• Bryan Fuller (Writer/Creator Hannibal TV Series)
• Stephen King (Author)