Very Cool!!!

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

This is one of my favorites of the horror genre, although it will not appeal to those with short attention spans, ADHD, or those that overthink plot lines or enjoy trolling on minutia. Dominique has a wonderfully creepy vibe underscored by the haunting theme music, sound effects(echoing footsteps, creaking rope, etc.). The slow pace really helps build up the tension, and Cliff Robertson accurately portrays a man who is plotting and fearless but is growing increasingly fearful. There is solid acting here and a couple of good plot twists to keep it interesting. SPOILER ALERT: The scene in the hallway with the ghost is great fare for keeping the hairs up on one's neck. The bit of dark humor with the tombstone that says Died:SOON is welcome comic relief. The musical score is perfect for this story & I wish it were available in sheet form.

A very remarkable cast of mostly British actors was gathered for this atmospheric, but slowly paced, mystery. Robertson plays a stoic (in too many instances, wooden) man saddled with a mildly-crippled wife (Simmons) he would like to be rid of, thus allowing him to use her fortune to help him out of a financial crisis. Surprisingly enough, Simmons seems to know this, yet allows herself to be manipulated into killing herself after a series of disturbing instances within their large estate. Also on-hand (in a bit of ludicrous casting) is Robertson's half-sister Agutter along with new chauffeur Ward, dour housekeeper Robson, family doctor Moody and close friends Jayston and Geeson. Robertson, however, is hardly off the hook. Soon after Simmons' departure, he begins to be tormented by Simmon's presence, either through piano music she favored being played on its own or through her ghastly image wafting through the hallways of the house. He also finds that a woman in black has ordered a headstone for him to go next to his (!) and he begins seeing what looks like Simmons loitering outside his offices. It all comes to a head in a pretty preposterous climax which, nonetheless does include a fairly impressive bit of latex technology. Robertson is far too reserved in his role, often coming off as either bored or boring. His fluffy, fuzzy hair, as it often did, sort of takes over everything when it's on screen. Simmons is okay in an unchallenging part. Most of the rest of the cast is given very little to do, though they do it well when called upon. Robson, always an interesting presence, only gets one very brief moment to shine. There is certainly an atmosphere of creepiness present in the film, especially at Moody's home, but too often the editing allows characters to roam the halls and climb stairs endlessly and it becomes too tiresome to hold the attention. The plot is also full of holes, as many stories of this kind tend to be. It's worth a look, once, but has to count as a misfire due to its overriding dreariness and lack of emotional investment.

I was pleasantly surprised at this movie. Expecting B-rate 70's schlock (not that there is anything wrong with that) I witnessed a movie that actually held my attention without me having to snipe at it for entertainment. My major complaint - this movie was too long by half. We got a few too many scenes of Ballard waking up, putting on his house coat, and walking to somewhere. Something else happens - Ballard puts his housecoat on again and walks. Acting was stiff at best, and it looks as if somebody forgot to pay the light bill, but those could be overcome by a somewhat interesting plot line, a unexpectedly brilliant ending, and some psych. intrigue I didn't think possible in the 70's. I just wish somebody would talk more than 1 sentence somewhere in the movie.

This movie was o.k. but it could have been much better. There are some spooky moments but there aren't enough of them to make me ever want to see this movie again. There are some scenes you could fast forward through & not miss anything. The biggest flaw is that it is so predictable, & that is the reason why I rated it so low. It's watchable but don't expect anything great.