There are some intermittent jump scares and sudden jolts but Hough focuses more upon the characters reaction to the increasingly malevolent atmosphere, as the house itself preys upon each of the four researcher’s weaknesses. The spirit activity also plays heavily upon their sexual desires, especially Ann who is repressed. And then both Florence and Ann are subject to nocturnal disturbances and whisperings. It is not long before there is a seance with ectoplasm manifesting around Florence.
The Pre-credits sequence clearly sets out the film’s remit and then wastes no time in exploring it. Using a very direct style bordering on a faux documentary, The Legend Of Hell House moves efficiently through its story. Yet despite only making one previous horror film ( Twins of Evil for Hammer studios) he certainly shows a flair for the genre here. All others involved either died or subsequently went mad.īritish TV and film director John Hough had a very eclectic background prior to making this film. Ben is the only survivor of a previous investigation conducted 20 years before. The first is mental medium and spiritualist minister Florence Tanner (Pamela Franklin) and the second is physical medium Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Fischer (Roddy McDowell). Accompanying Barrett are his wife, Ann (Gayle Hunnicutt), as well as two mediums. The house is believed to be haunted by numerous spirits, all victims of Belasco's twisted and sadistic desires. A six-foot-five perverted millionaire and alleged murderer, who disappeared soon after a massacre was discovered at his home. The Belasco House, the "Mount Everest of haunted houses", originally owned by the notorious "Roaring Giant" Emeric Belasco. He must conduct his experiment in "the one place where it has yet to be refuted". Deutsch to make an investigation into "survival after death". Lionel Barrett (Clive Revill) is contracted by eccentric millionaire Mr. Rather than intermittently scalding the viewer with jump scares, the film’s atmosphere is more akin to placing the audience in water and slowly bringing them to a boil.
Directed by John Hough and written by Twilight Zone veteran and cult author Richard Matheson, it is another meticulously crafted piece of cinema with a focus on increasing tension and a sense of disquiet. The Legend Of Hell House, made a decade later, is another example of this approach to genre film making. In many ways the film is seen as vindicating this particular theory. Director Robert Wise clearly demonstrated this in his 1963 film The Haunting, based upon Shirley Jackson’s book The Haunting of Hill House.
There is a school of thought that the key to crafting a good horror or supernatural film lies with creating an atmosphere that impacts upon the viewer’s mind and emotions, rather than relying solely upon visual effects, gore and spectacle.
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