Haunted (1995)

Director:

Lewis Gilbert

Writers:

James Herbert (novel)
Timothy Prager (writer) ...

Release Date:

18 June 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller | Horror

Plot:

Professor David Ash is invited to Edbrook to calm the fears of the elderly nanny of the Mariell family...

Plot Keywords:

Incest | Family Secret | Ghost | Guilt | Haunted House

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Aidan Quinn	...	Prof. David Ash
Kate Beckinsale	...	Christina Mariell
Anthony Andrews	...	Robert Mariell
John Gielgud	...	Doctor Doyle
Anna Massey	...	Nanny Tess Webb
Alex Lowe	...	Simon Mariell
Geraldine Somerville	...	Kate
Victoria Shalet	...	Juliet Ash
Linda Bassett	...	Madame Brontski
Liz Smith	...	Old Gypsy Woman
Peter England	...	Young David
Alice Douglas	...	Clare
Hilary Mason	...	Elderly Lady
Edmund Moriarty	...	Liam
Emily Hamilton	...	Mary

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and nudity.

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | Germany:12 | Portugal:M/16 (video premiere) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

October Films

Trivia:

Hilary Mason replaced Jean Anderson.

Movie Connections:

References The Legend of Hell House (1973)

Professor Ash, a paranormal investigator looks for the truth in a reportedly haunted house.

Young David Ash and his sister are playing beside the lake on their family estate. When his sister falls, hitting her head on a stone and drowns in the lake, David is unable to save her. Blaming himself for her death, David becomes a Phd in Paranormal studies. Years later, after a successful career of exposing fraudulent mediums, David is recalled to his former home by an old woman who writes to say the home she works in is haunted.

David is met at the station by Christina (Beckinsale), a bewitchingly beautiful woman, who drives extremely dangerously and thinks nothing of stripping her clothes off and swimming in the nude in front of Dr. Ash, though she has just met him. When one of her brothers also swims nude, David is still more surprised.

The older brother is barely tolerant of David and wants him to do his job as rapidly as possible and not get involved with his sister. David talks to the elderly woman, referred to as Nanny, learning of the tragic death of Christina's parents. During his attempts to understand what is going on David has several very frightening moments. The Special effects are outstanding by the way.

While making his investigation, David comes across a shocking family secret and sees the ghost of what may be his own sister, near the lake. He then has several more strange experiences which cause him to doubt his sanity. The only person who seems to understand his confusion is the elderly doctor who is the family physician. David visits the old man at his home in the village which helps him realize he is not insane, but still leaves him with unanswered questions.

The shocking conclusion will completely twist everything you think you know about ghosts and reality. This film may be the seminal influence in a new era of ghost stories on film, which was lately added to by the talented director, Alejandro Amenabar, who gave us THE OTHERS, starring Nicole Kidman. If you like ghost stories HAUNTED is a must see.