I watched a DVD of this movie last night, and I have to say that this film, dating back almost 40 years, stands the test of time very well. It is by far, one of the best horror films ever made, and it does it without blood and guts.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
George C. Scott plays a middle-aged composer and musician whose wife (played by Jean Marsh of "Upstairs, Downstairs" fame) and young daughter are tragically killed in an automobile accident. He moves from New York to Seattle for a change of scenery, and to take a teaching post at a local university. He leases a house from the local historical society, and the fun begins.
The house, he learns, is haunted by the spirit of a young boy who was murdered in the house by his father a few years after 1900.
Things come to a head when a seance is conducted in the house, and the musician learns just enough about the spirit to do some serious detective work.
Besides Jean Marsh, another familiar face turns up in this film. Madelaine Sherwood plays a minor role, and I recognized her the first time I saw this film as the actress to played "sister woman" in the 1958 film of "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" with Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.
The house is a spooky mansion, and the story takes place in winter when most of the trees are bare and a generally gloomy atmosphere prevails. All of which creates a terrific ambiance for the events in the film.
Nine stars out of ten for this film.
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