Faint hearts may not be up to this truly frightening ghost story (remade in 1999 to less effect) about a house that was 'born bad' and claims the souls of those who enter it. The film's great strength lies in the fact that the 'thing' is never seen; and the infra-red camerawork makes the walls of the house - 'leprous' one of the characters call them - seem almost alive, bringing the horror right out of the screen. Director Robert Wise sets electricity crackling into the audience with a hair-raising opening, and rarely lets the chilling temperature rise. Julie Harris and Claire Bloom are both excellent, striking the right note of hysteria, and clinging together most convincingly when - well, whatever it is - is thundering its anger outside their bedroom door. And, just when the suspense seems to be slackening, a beautiful study of evil by Rosalie Crutchley sends the shivers racing down our spines again.

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