Robert Wise’s classic adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel still holds up.  

Wise efficiently introduces us to the backstory of the evil Hill House with imagery paralleling Dr. Markway’s explanation to the current absentee owner.  Markway is seeking permission to investigate Hill House with a team of people open to supernatural phenomena to see if the house is truly haunted.  From there we shift to the real protagonist, Eleanor (Julie Harris), a nervous put upon woman full of internal monologues.  Eleanor views being part of the team as a vacation, an escape after years of taking care of her invalid mother.  But is Hill House a good escape for someone as damaged as Eleanor - or as potentially psychically powerful; we find out Markway recruited her due to a documented incident where stones fell on her house for days.

Once things gets going, the sound design and special effects are top notch- especially when the doors and walls themselves seem to bend.  The acting is strong as well - I always love Russ Tamblyn in this, having fun disbelieving until his face says it all when all hell breaks loose.  You also get a cameo from Lois “Moneypenny” Maxwell.   And the beginning and ending voiceover narration are perfect, taken straight from Jackson’s writing.

If all you’ve seen is Mike Flanagan’s Netflix series loosely based on the novel - or god help you, the 1999 “remake” which should be burned with fire - you should check out this true classic.