The Haunting of Hell House is a 1999 American horror film directed by Mitch Marcus from a screenplay co-written with Lev L. Spiro [as L.L. Shapira], based on Henry James’ The Ghostly Rental. Roger Corman co-produced. The movie stars Michael York, Andrew Bowen, Jason Cottle and Claudia Christian.
Plot:
James Farrow (Andrew Bowen), a young student, pressures his girlfriend into having an illegal abortion. They soon head to see an abortionist whose negligence results in the death of the young girl.
James begins to be haunted by visions of his girlfriend and is drawn to the house in which they met. He seeks advice from the mysterious Professor Ambrose (Michael York), whose life has been torn apart by a number of gruesome tragedies in his own family and who is tormented by the ghost of his daughter in a haunted house full of vengeful spirits…
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Reviews:
“The acting is above average, the settings are well-done and atmospheric, and the story kept me intrigued and guessing to the end. It’s not particularly scary, but there are some creepy images and a surprising amount of blood. The story is really about how guilt can haunt your soul far more than any ghostly apparitions can…” Final Girl
“To the film’s advantage, the sombre, rural Irish locations do add a degree of atmosphere to the story (even if the countryside and accents fail to make us believe that the film is taking place in turn of the century American New England). Eventually, Mitch Marcus, with the assistance of some reasonable story twists, builds up a sufficient head of steam and arrives at a decent climax.” Richard Scheib, Moria
“Despite the awful, B-movie title, this was far and beyond the most visually beautiful film I’ve ever watched. The cinematography was stunning, and the atmosphere was appropriately dark and brooding. The entire town seemed “haunted,” with fear and evil oozing from every stone, every tree, nearly every character. I could almost feel the dank air in my own living room!” Darrin, IMDb
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Main cast:
- Michael York – The Ripper; Not of This Earth; Phantom of Death; The Phantom of the Opera; The Island of Doctor Moreau; Deadly Strangers
- Andrew Bowen – Holidays; Smothered; The Pit and the Pendulum; Big Bad Wolf
- Jason Cottle – Cthulhu
- Claudia Christian – Maniac Cop 2; The Hidden
- Aideen O’Donnell
- Brian Glanney
- Ciaron Davies
- Colm O’Maonlai
- Mike Finn
- Mitch Marcus
- Daniel Rosen
- Eoghan O’Brien
- Fred McCluskey
Filming locations:
Ireland
Film Facts:
Filmed as The Ghostly Rental
