Changing Representation Of Sexuality And Gender In Regards To The Haunting(1963) and The Haunting(1999)

The Haunting – Sexuality & Gender

The two versions of ‘The Haunting’ are both different and each signals the values of contemporary society (or what was contemporary at the time of release).

Robert Wise’s 1963 version of the film, ‘The Haunting’, showed a different representation of women than in Jan DeBont’s 1999 remake. This is due to the changing attitudes towards sexuality and gender of contemporary society.

In Wise’s version, the main character, ‘Eleanor’ or ‘Nell’ (Julie Harris), is very frail and is shown as a believably naïve and emotional spinster. Whereas, in contemporary society, it would not be acceptable to portray a woman in this way. So, Jan DeBont had to change the character’s personalities to adapt to the change in societal values. Hence, why the 1999 version of the film shows ‘Nell’ (Lili Taylor) as a young, attractive and determined woman.
However, the character of ‘Theodora’ in the 1963 version (Claire Bloom) is sho...