Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Director: Courtney Solomon

Certificate: An American Haunting was rated 15A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 15 years of age or upwards. Persons under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = strong. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = mild.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:  An American Haunting

Based on real events that took place in Tennessee between 1818 and 1820 this supernatural thriller tells of an entity or spirit who tormented the Bell family.  Starting with noises in their farmhouse, the visits from this spirit became violent with several physical attacks on the Bell's daughter, Betsy (Rachel Hurd-Wood).  Thinking that a curse had been put on them by a local woman, who was reputed to be a witch, John Bell (Donald Sutherland) called on a church leader to rid the house of the spirit but this didn't work, and the spirit seemed to gain in strength as time went by...

The story is narrated from time-to-time by the author of a manuscript describing the events that took place.  Starting promisingly the hope is that An American Haunting will be an intelligent thriller and it has the feel of a good ghost story with some mystery and intrigue as opposed to an outright horror movie.  Why the Bell family have been singled out for the attacks is at the centre of the mystery. 

Where things start to go wrong is that there are several parts in the film where the questions are answered and the outcome of the story is revealed long before the finale thereby ruining the shock and surprise that the director obviously strived for.  To make matters worse, at the end of the film the story is "over-explained" by using flashbacks to repeat the clues already given - as if the obvious signs given earlier could be missed!

Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek play parents, John and Lucy Bell, and their involvement in the film should bring some credibility, but they both look like they should have been playing grandparents rather than the parents of the young children in the film!  Rachel Hurd-Wood does a good job as Betsy Bell the daughter who receives several violent attacks from their unwanted "guest"!

Bottom Line: As it's based on real events An American Haunting will fascinate, but while it has the makings of an intelligent supernatural thriller too much is "signposted" or "given away" before the finale.

If you enjoy An American Haunting you might also enjoy  The Others,  The Exorcism of Emily Rose,  The Grudge,  Gothika,  The Mothman Prophecies, or What Lies Beneath.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2006.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

DONALD SUTHERLAND: Cold Mountain,  The Italian Job.  JAMES D'ARCY: Master and Commander.  MATTHEW MARSH:  Spy Game.

Donald Sutherland,  Sissy Spacek,  Rachel Hurd-Wood,  James D'Arcy,  Matthew Marsh

ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO