23 reviews
Remember when the Scyfy channel called themselves Scifi? Back in the good ol' days. Well back then they made 1 horror for every 10 scifi movies they made and this is an example of their quality.
The Haunting Of Seacliff Inn stars Ally Sheedy and tells the story of a couple of city slickers who move to small town america in order to start a guest house. Shortly into their time there strange things begin to happen and......you know the rest.
It's not a bad effort but truth be told it felt more like a Lifetime original than a Scyfy one. Full of melodrama including a cheating husband and constant bickering it's not your standard ghost themed movie.
Certainly PG rated and with nothing that would truly constitute as horror this is aimed at a certain demographic and I don't think I was it.
The Good:
Has a certain charm
Well made
The Bad:
Ally Sheedy is hit and miss as usual
Cheating antagonist, again!
Can we seriously have a horror movie where the pet doesn't die please?
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
Horror pets need to join a union or something
The Haunting Of Seacliff Inn stars Ally Sheedy and tells the story of a couple of city slickers who move to small town america in order to start a guest house. Shortly into their time there strange things begin to happen and......you know the rest.
It's not a bad effort but truth be told it felt more like a Lifetime original than a Scyfy one. Full of melodrama including a cheating husband and constant bickering it's not your standard ghost themed movie.
Certainly PG rated and with nothing that would truly constitute as horror this is aimed at a certain demographic and I don't think I was it.
The Good:
Has a certain charm
Well made
The Bad:
Ally Sheedy is hit and miss as usual
Cheating antagonist, again!
Can we seriously have a horror movie where the pet doesn't die please?
Things I Learnt From This Movie:
Horror pets need to join a union or something
- Platypuschow
- Feb 27, 2018
- Permalink
- aesgaard41
- Jan 24, 2001
- Permalink
- bensonmum2
- Jun 24, 2015
- Permalink
Wonderful movie in which California yuppies, largely on a speculative whim, buy a wonderful old 19th-century mansion and attempt to turn it into a profitable bed & breakfast joint (which they name "Seacliff Inn", hence the name of the film).
Little do they realize that the old inn is infested with spirits of the past, some of whom are hell-bent on revenge and destruction.
The movie has great filming locations (Mendocino, Northern California coast), a nice "supernatural" atmosphere, lots of old-style architecture, and should be a delight to anyone who loves the California coast, antiques, old-style architecture, the sea, ghost stories, etc. etc.
Ally Sheedy's character (Susan Enright) is probably one of the most spoiled and grating female characters I've encountered in film in a long time, but thankfully her negative vibes are countered by the lovely "ghost lady", Sara, portrayed by Lucinda Weist. There's also a really scary dog in the movie, who's appearances are well-timed for shock and horror value. Louise Fletcher (remember her from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest??) also has a poignant role in the film.
Nicely done ghost story, should appeal to anyone who likes ghosts, hauntings, the supernatural. Also fun to look at around Halloween time (which is when I last saw it).
Little do they realize that the old inn is infested with spirits of the past, some of whom are hell-bent on revenge and destruction.
The movie has great filming locations (Mendocino, Northern California coast), a nice "supernatural" atmosphere, lots of old-style architecture, and should be a delight to anyone who loves the California coast, antiques, old-style architecture, the sea, ghost stories, etc. etc.
Ally Sheedy's character (Susan Enright) is probably one of the most spoiled and grating female characters I've encountered in film in a long time, but thankfully her negative vibes are countered by the lovely "ghost lady", Sara, portrayed by Lucinda Weist. There's also a really scary dog in the movie, who's appearances are well-timed for shock and horror value. Louise Fletcher (remember her from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest??) also has a poignant role in the film.
Nicely done ghost story, should appeal to anyone who likes ghosts, hauntings, the supernatural. Also fun to look at around Halloween time (which is when I last saw it).
- poolandrews
- Jan 27, 2006
- Permalink
The Haunting of Seacliff Inn (1994)
I find this bit silly, a couple who see house that they liked but old lady still there, that night the lady is killed and is found the next day.
So they get House that quick and they want to make in a Hotel thing. Few odd thing happen at times but there to far part and that really that effecting at all and it kind of drag in some part of the movie.
Which dose make a bit boring at times and there near the last 15-20 minutes thing start to kick off again and They tried to turn a very slow movie in to a very pace movie for few minutes,
which I Don't think flowed that well with the rest of the movie at all
It was not that scary or creepy at all, it was Ghost story one or two spooky moment that really.
3 out of 10
I find this bit silly, a couple who see house that they liked but old lady still there, that night the lady is killed and is found the next day.
So they get House that quick and they want to make in a Hotel thing. Few odd thing happen at times but there to far part and that really that effecting at all and it kind of drag in some part of the movie.
Which dose make a bit boring at times and there near the last 15-20 minutes thing start to kick off again and They tried to turn a very slow movie in to a very pace movie for few minutes,
which I Don't think flowed that well with the rest of the movie at all
It was not that scary or creepy at all, it was Ghost story one or two spooky moment that really.
3 out of 10
A young couple escape the city and purchase an old Victorian house, intending to establish a bed and breakfast inn and revitalize their troubled marriage.Little do they know,they're sharing the house with an evil ghost tortured by a shocking secret.Fear and tension build when they discover a hidden room off the attic and find clues to the horrifying history of the home's first owners."The Haunting of Seacliff Inn" is a mildly interesting old-fashioned ghost story.The film is almost never scary,albeit the wolf-like dog looks pretty creepy.The production values are great,the acting is surprisingly good,but there is not enough tension for my liking.Admittedly the female ghost is undeniably sexy,but not menacing at all.So if you want to see a truly eerie ghost story check out "The Woman in Black" instead.5 out of 10.
- HumanoidOfFlesh
- Aug 29, 2005
- Permalink
- beckaction
- May 11, 2014
- Permalink
How do these ghosts from a long time ago seem to understand how our modern day technology works-and how to use it to kill us? I have a thing about ghosts that seem to have superhuman strength. I think ghosts are scary and could possibly do things to the minds of people with active imaginations but from what we know about ghosts today, I do not see them physically assaulting people or attacking them with bludgeoning weapons.
The movie attempted to redeem itself with good horror movie music, good acting and one hell of a sexy ghost but in the end you just can't make a good ghost movie that has too much unfinished business that does not have to do with ghosts.
The movie attempted to redeem itself with good horror movie music, good acting and one hell of a sexy ghost but in the end you just can't make a good ghost movie that has too much unfinished business that does not have to do with ghosts.
- btg-810-920456
- Mar 17, 2014
- Permalink
Fun yet run of the mill spook film set in a haunted mansion on the beautiful California coast. It has the usual creaking doors, creepy attic, unexplained happenings, and a mean ghost. Fairly good, but I done been there and had a better time when I did.
- helpless_dancer
- Oct 31, 2001
- Permalink
- Ruthbasilisk-1
- Feb 26, 2008
- Permalink
Excellent plotline and terrific acting jobs by Ally Sheedy (Susan Enright), and William R. Moses (Mark Enright). Chilling story about a couple who buy an old Victorian mansion and turn it into a bed and breakfast. They leave their jobs in San Fransisco to save their marriage, but upon buying this house, they get more than they bargained for! Someone or something wants them out of the house and big black doggie isn't any help! This film is chilling!
- selwitelsd
- Jul 2, 2002
- Permalink
This is a simple TV horror movie, with the generic script of a haunted house - young couple converts an old house into a bed and breakfast, but their plans are hindered with strange events in the building and in the surrounding areas.
The acting was OK and the plot's pacing was steady, with smacks of thrills and suspense here and there, but nothing that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Too many sappy moments between the two character leads, which takes away from the horror element of the movie.
Overall, an average TV horror flick.
Grade C+
The acting was OK and the plot's pacing was steady, with smacks of thrills and suspense here and there, but nothing that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Too many sappy moments between the two character leads, which takes away from the horror element of the movie.
Overall, an average TV horror flick.
Grade C+
- OllieSuave-007
- Jul 22, 2018
- Permalink
No pun intended - I do wonder sometimes how titles are being thought of. Or maybe I should just read more about the movies I ... no I won't do that. But if you come into this, thinking this is proper horror ... well you will be quite dissapointed. Be aware that this is more like a drama, with some ... well spooky moments, then you will be fine.
It has quite the interesting cast. Especially if you watch it knowing quite a few of the cast members. They grow up so fast, don't they? If the ghosts don't come to get them that is - no pun intended again. The story is well told and there is some love in the air ... well amongst other things of course. Pacing is a bit slow, even though the movie is not that long ...
It has quite the interesting cast. Especially if you watch it knowing quite a few of the cast members. They grow up so fast, don't they? If the ghosts don't come to get them that is - no pun intended again. The story is well told and there is some love in the air ... well amongst other things of course. Pacing is a bit slow, even though the movie is not that long ...
The Haunting of Sea Cliff Inn, I've got two words for you, WATCH IT! Ally Sheedy stars as Susan, a television producer who has decided, with her husband, a big-time photographer, to take some time off, move north and start a bed and breakfast. Susan, Ally Sheedy, spots a house on a cliff and is drawn to it, but too bad it's not for sale. At least not until the old woman living there dies there, mysteriously the very night that Susan voices her desire to own it. Her wish is granted and she and her husband move in several months later. While readying the house for paying guests strange things begin to happen and Susan gets weird feelings that someone is watching. A "boarder" shows up mysteriously and vanishes one night just as mysteriously. A mean dog prowls the night, busting through the large glass window in the office almost killing Susan's unbelieving husband. It isn't until after they've had a big fight and Susan's husband has accepted a job in the city that he begins to believe her, the picture with a man standing in the background was helpful too. So Susan is tied to the house after all and he knows that he only has a matter of time before something awful happens and he loses his wife forever. I'm not giving away the ending, it's up to you to find this movie on and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
Released to TV in 1994, "The Haunting of Seacliff Inn" stars Ally Sheedy and William R. Moses as a couple who move to coastal Northern California to start a bed & breakfast after purchasing an old mansion. Curious things start to happen as they discover their new abode to be haunted. Lucinda Weist plays their alluring first guest while Maxine Stuart plays a New Agey neighbor. James Horan is also on hand.
While this is a TV movie (USA), the production values are quite good, particularly the stunning coastal locations. The first 35 minutes are pretty routine, but things pick up when the couple receive their first guest, a mysterious writer (Weist). From there the story's compelling to the end. The subplot about the couple's troubled marriage is well done: The husband had an affair back in San Francisco and it simply takes time & attention to win trust back, which is hard to do when there's a ravishing half-naked brunette hanging around. Will they stay together?
This is more of a haunting ghost movie than horror flick. So don't expect hardcore horror and all that goes with it. If you enjoy movies like "The Fog" or "The Amityville Horror," particularly the remakes, you'll probably like "The Haunting of Seacliff Inn."
The movie runs 94 minutes and was shot in Mendocino and Adolpho Camarillo Ranch, California.
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read further unless you've seen the movie)
Sara Warner (Weist) returned from the dead likely at the behest of the male ghost doing the actual haunting, Jeremiah Hastings. Her mission was to seduce the husband, Mark, away from his wife, with the intent of breaking up their marriage. The husband, however, finds the moral strength to resist and rejects Sara. Her purpose thwarted she simply returns to the dead. She committed suicide in 1882 by drowning herself at the beach so that's where she goes. Now Hastings takes matters into his own hands.
While this is a TV movie (USA), the production values are quite good, particularly the stunning coastal locations. The first 35 minutes are pretty routine, but things pick up when the couple receive their first guest, a mysterious writer (Weist). From there the story's compelling to the end. The subplot about the couple's troubled marriage is well done: The husband had an affair back in San Francisco and it simply takes time & attention to win trust back, which is hard to do when there's a ravishing half-naked brunette hanging around. Will they stay together?
This is more of a haunting ghost movie than horror flick. So don't expect hardcore horror and all that goes with it. If you enjoy movies like "The Fog" or "The Amityville Horror," particularly the remakes, you'll probably like "The Haunting of Seacliff Inn."
The movie runs 94 minutes and was shot in Mendocino and Adolpho Camarillo Ranch, California.
GRADE: B
EXPLANATION ***SPOILER ALERT*** (Don't read further unless you've seen the movie)
Sara Warner (Weist) returned from the dead likely at the behest of the male ghost doing the actual haunting, Jeremiah Hastings. Her mission was to seduce the husband, Mark, away from his wife, with the intent of breaking up their marriage. The husband, however, finds the moral strength to resist and rejects Sara. Her purpose thwarted she simply returns to the dead. She committed suicide in 1882 by drowning herself at the beach so that's where she goes. Now Hastings takes matters into his own hands.
- kirk_bones
- Jan 26, 2006
- Permalink
Boy this one really gave me chills! Don't watch it by yourself! When you do see it watch out for the dog he is eeeevil!
- ladymidath
- Jan 23, 2023
- Permalink
I like just about any kind of ghost movie, so of course I liked this one, but I can think of a few better ones that I've seen. I would definetley reccomend it to anyone, but I did not really understand the importance of "Sarah Warner", except for to add a ghostly chill and mysteriousness. If you haven't seen it, I would, but bring some tissues, because there are a few sad moments in it! ~Velvet Rose~
- Velvet Rose
- Oct 20, 2000
- Permalink