‘The Uninvited’: Martin Scorsese Names This Horror Film the ‘Best Ghost Story Ever Made’
Renowned for his skill as a filmmaker and his extensive knowledge of film history, Martin Scorsese has long supported the frequently overlooked horror subgenre. He has frequently hailed ‘The Uninvited’ (1944), a chilling story of a coastal manor haunted by ghosts, as one of the best ghost stories ever written. It is one of his personal favorites. In his first feature film, Lewis Allen follows brothers Rick and Pamela Fitzgerald as they solve the terrifying riddles surrounding their new house and its previous occupants.
A Gothic story full of tension and atmosphere is woven throughout ‘The Uninvited’. Contemporary audiences who are used to jump scares and dazzling visuals may find its muted tone and controlled storytelling subtle, but the film’s depth and beauty make an impression. Scorsese compared it favourably to other acclaimed masterpieces like ‘The Haunting’ (1963), highlighting its eerie atmosphere and exquisite execution. The Oscar-nominated cinematography by Charles Lang Jr. adds a layer of visual genius, while the narrative, written by Frank Partos and Dodie Smith, offers surprising turns.
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Stella, a young woman in the narrative, thinks her late mother’s ghost wanders the mansion’s corridors. But the Fitzgeralds discover a sinister conspiracy and a darker side to Stella’s beginnings. Because of the way it depicted female intimacy and the way its antagonist, Miss Holloway, alluded to a queer-coded relationship, the movie was controversial at the time. Although conservative organisations criticized this subtext, its leftist overtones also attracted notice.
Even though it might appear mild by today’s standards, ‘The Uninvited’ is still a powerful examination of societal and supernatural topics. Because of its skill, evocative storytelling, and unconventional, subversive components, its influence endures. Scorsese’s unwavering appreciation highlights this ageless ghost story’s allure.
–Farheen Ali
