The Haunting

Scream Factory's release of "The Haunting" on 4K UltraHD and Blu-ray, based on the same 4K film transfer previously reviewed on the Paramount Presents label, elevates the original work with additional technical prowess. The introduction of Dolby Vision, HDR10 compatible, enriches the visual experience, while the meticulous oversight by director Jan de Bont ensures an authentic representation of the film's intended aesthetic. The technical details give significant insights into the filming process, particularly the use of Kodak's Vision films for interiors and exteriors, indicating a deliberate choice in texture and grain that complements the storytelling. Director of Photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub's strategic application of lighting—soft on the fronts of faces with backlighting for shape and direction—paired with various camera techniques, underscores a rigorous approach to visually articulating the film's haunting atmosphere.

The choice of color palette, with a focus on brown and red hues as noted in American Cinematographer, particularly shines through in the UHD presentation, offering a subtle yet noticeable enhancement in clarity and detail over its Blu-ray counterpart. The usage of 74.30 GB on the BD-100 disc and an average video bitrate of 85.0 Mbps (peaking at 94.3 Mbps) for the UHD version, compared to the Blu-ray's 34.8 Mbps on a BD-50 disc, underscores a commitment to delivering high-quality video that respects the source material's cinematography and design choices.

While both disc versions provide a detailed visual experience that honors the original filmography, the UHD disc's slight edge in picture clarity and detail becomes apparent in scenes devoid of visual effects, albeit intentionally designed to look flat in accordance with the filmmaker's vision. This meticulous encoding not only preserves but enhances the atmospheric elements crucial to "The Haunting," demonstrating an impressive balance of technology and artistry in home cinema presentation. The variance in encoding strategies between the two disc types illustrates an adaptive approach to maximizing each format's potential, further evidenced by distinct picture discs and menu designs unique to this Scream Factory release.

The audio presentation of "The Haunting" on 4K UHD Blu-ray primarily offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround mix (4225 kbps, 24-bit) and a secondary DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo downmix (2017 kbps, 24-bit). Focusing on the 5.1 Surround mix, it is observed that the mix might require a slight volume adjustment for clearer dialogue comprehension, especially during daylight scenes—a common trait when aligning with contemporary film audio standards. The encompassing soundstage, predominately the brainchild of Gary Rydstrom, serves as a testament to an intricate design woven with 532 individually recorded sounds. These elements range from the eerie creaks of Hill House's doors, sourced from a Northern California winery, to the chilling whistles of wind and ethereal echoes of children, captured amidst an old hotel near Glacier National Park. Such meticulous crafting underscores Rydstrom's dedication to immersive auditory experiences.

Rydstrom's sound design intricately layers various audible textures, including a unique melding of real wood creaks with mammalian growls to emulate the haunting ambiance within Hill House. This synergy is complemented by Jerry Goldsmith's musical score, where atmospheric themes blur the lines between soundtrack and sound effects—a harmonic balance that enhances narrative depth through auditory cues. Noteworthy is the theme "A Place for Everything," embodying Nell's presence through a melodic flute piece that echoes thematic elements reminiscent of earlier iconic scores. Despite a longing for a contemporary Dolby Atmos mix, the current DTS-HD MA 5.1 encapsulates the auditory intentions well, ensuring a palpable tension and ambiance is relayed through a multi-dimensional sound field that enriches the viewer's engagement with the film's spectral narrative.

Comparatively, Paramount and Umbrella Entertainment's Australian Blu-ray releases provide varying bitrate experiences, with the former delivering a Dolby TrueHD Audio 5.1 Surround mix averaging at 4380 kbps and the latter a slightly lesser bitrate for its DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround. Despite minor discrepancies in subtitle accuracy and the absence of the nostalgically remembered DTS-ES 6.1 mix from previous releases, Scream's audio rendition remains a faithful and immersive backlog to "The Haunting," underpinning the essential role of sound design and score in crafting the film's eerie atmosphere and emotional depth.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Haunting" offers a respectable collection of extras, adequately mirroring the special features found on the Paramount Presents Blu-ray iteration without introducing the complete Production Notes featured in Dreamworks' earlier DVD version. Notably, the anticipated inclusion of certain deleted scenes, such as one providing an update on a character's storyline, remains unrealized, hinting at additional content shot by director Jan de Bont that unfortunately never made its way to the public domain. The extras do deliver enriching content, including a detailed discussion by de Bont in "Filmmaker Focus," shedding light on the production nuances, effects achievements, and his reflections on the film's legacy. A comprehensive behind-the-scenes featurette from 1999 offers an amalgamated view through interviews with key production and cast members, supplemented by trailers that present the film's original promotional efforts in varying resolutions and sound quality.

Extras included in this disc:

• Filmmaker Focus: Director Jan de Bont on The Haunting: de Bont shares insights on the film's production, collaborations, and special effects, reflecting on its impact over twenty years later.
• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: A 1999 archival program featuring interviews with the cast and crew, including insights from production design to sound effects.
• Teaser Trailer: A brief preview of "The Haunting" presented in anamorphic widescreen with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original full-length trailer of "The Haunting" in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround.

The Haunting," released by Dreamworks in 1999 and directing by Jan de Bont, distinguished itself from its predecessor, the 1963 adaptation by Robert Wise, through a unique narrative approach and impressive visual effects. With a box office earning of $91.41 million, this film captivated audiences with its phantasmagorical elements inside the Hill House, rendered beautifully by Industrial Light & Magic. Unlike Wise’s adaptation which leaned heavily on psychological elements, de Bont’s version embraced the supernatural aspect of Shirley Jackson's novel, thereby possibly aligning closer with what Jackson envisaged for her story. The film's departure from the original narrative can be seen in the omission of Mrs. Sanderson and in altering Luke Sanderson’s backstory, which was thoughtfully replaced with a different family dynamic that explored new facets of the haunting.

The screenplay by David Self, with contributions from the uncredited Michael Tolkin, offered a rich tapestry that unfortunately saw several scenes and character developments trimmed in the final cut. This included the elimination of a fourth study participant, David Watts, and reduced roles for characters such as Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. The script hinted at deeper undercurrents between characters like Nell and Theo, and Marrow and Nell, suggesting relationships and tensions that were ultimately dialed back or left ambiguous in the resulting film. These script-to-screen transformations resulted in a narrative that was more streamlined and focused, emphasizing the haunted house's fearsome mysteries over character intricacies. Furthermore, dialogue within the finished movie was noticeably more succinct, enhancing the overall pacing but at the expense of some character depth evidenced in the initial shooting script.

De Bont’s direction took notable liberties in adapting Jackson’s work, aiming for a spectacle that drew audiences into the eerie and elaborate world of Hill House with state-of-the-art visual effects. The choice to shift toward a more overtly supernatural storyline differentiated this adaptation from its psychological horror predecessor, offering a fresh albeit different homage to the source material. Through these creative decisions, "The Haunting" of 1999 managed to carve out its own niche within the horror genre, captivating viewers with its blend of terror, tragic history, and the unexplored depths of human relationships within the ominous walls of the mansion.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Haunting" revives the 1999 thriller with an enhanced visual and audio quality that distinguishes it significantly from its 1963 predecessor. This release, brought forward by Scream Factory, utilizes the master previously employed for the Paramount Blu-ray edition roughly three years ago. While the movie itself offers a distinct take on Shirley Jackson's novel compared to Robert Wise's more psychological approach, this edition could have benefited from fresh extras, such as new interviews with the cast or filmmakers, to add more value to fans and collectors. As it stands, the supplements included are mere carryovers from previous home video releases.

Despite the lack of new special features, the 4K UHD enhancement on this edition provides a visually stunning experience that warrants attention. However, those who possess the Paramount Presents edition might find the upgrade a matter of visual fidelity rather than content richness. The recommendation stands strong for enthusiasts of high-definition cinema and fans of the genre, suggesting that for an optimal buy, waiting for a price drop around $22 could make this acquisition more appealing.

In conclusion, "The Haunting" in 4K UHD emerges as a worthy addition to the collection of aficionados who prioritize visual and auditory quality in their viewing experience. While the absence of new supplemental materials marks a missed opportunity to further enrich this edition, the sheer improvement in picture and sound quality justifies its acquisition for dedicated fans and connoisseurs of haunted house thrillers. This release remains a solid recommendation, particularly for those poised to experience the chilling ambiance of Hill House in unparalleled clarity and depth.