| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A+ |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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One of the most frightening films ever made!
by dalems (movies profile)
Apr 3, 2006
2
of
2 people found this review helpful
Based on a 19th century short story by Henry James,this film is probably one of the most underrated and forgotten horror films of the past 50 years.It is also one of the best,if not the best.Relying on a slow build up of tense,perfectly pitched atmosphere,the movie finally leads us into a feeling of sheer panic and fright,as experienced by the main character.We are also left to question whether any of it was real,or just the delusions of a paranoid mind.Part haunted house story,part possession tale and all the way-a classic ghost story and psychological thriller.People with short attention spans will find it tedious to sit through this film,while others who appreciate a well told and genuinely frightening tale will find it engrossing and terrifying.If you call yourself a fan of horror/suspense films then this is mandatory viewing for you-and if you can find it anywhere,it's a must see.The film has been often imitated,the best example,being 2001's The Others with Nicole Kidman.Though different,a lot of the techniques were the same,and the director tried to build up suspense in much the same way- though he didn't really succeed (the Others was just okay).But if you liked that film then you'll love this one.Well acted and expertly directed and adapted perfectly from the short story which I've read and is subtly terifying in its own way although hard to read,due to the 19th century prose.Camera tricks,expert uses of shadows and fuzzy imagery make this all the more frightening.And it leaves you with the open question at the end-whether any of it was real. A masterpiece. |
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