Revealing mistake: Right after Nell sends Hugh to hell, Dr. Marrow and Theo come out of hiding behind a pillar. As Marrow puts his hand on the pillar, it squishes in as if it was made of foam rubber, instead of stone. (01:39:50)
The Haunting (1999)
Ending / spoiler
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Starring: Liam Neeson, Owen Wilson, Bruce Dern, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, Virginia Madsen
Luke gets his head ripped off by the lions head in the fireplace. Nell is the great-granddaughter (or great-great-granddaughter, whichever) of Hugh Crane (the owner of the house who killed the children and haunts the house). Nell, the doctor (Liam Neeson) and Theo (Catherine Zeta-Jones) lead Crane to a door where a bunch of spirits trap him. The souls of all the children can finally rest in peace. Nell realizes she has to stay at the house to protect the souls of the children and then dies. Theo and the doc leave the house.
Jonathan
More mistakes in The Haunting
Theo: Isn't it based on the Gates of Hell, by Rodin?
Eleanor "Nell" Vance: Well, It's not just hell. You see the children, they're are reaching up for heaven, but their souls are trapped in purgatory. And these are the demons... who can hold on to your soul for as long as they want.
Theo: Did you study art?
Eleanor "Nell" Vance: No, I studied purgatory. I was there once for eleven years. It's when your soul is caught between the living and the dead.
Trivia: Ridiculously huge Jesus reference at the end. When Eleanor is blasted onto the door, her arms and legs are in the same position Jesus would've had. She is lowered down by the hands, much like Jesus would've. She also dies to save everyone else, a slightly smaller point is that you see the children 'die' and going into heaven. The bible says 'only those who are like a child are to go to heaven.'
More questions & answers from The Haunting
Answer: Crain had two wives. All of his children from his first wife, Renee, died at birth and then Renee killed herself. Later we find out that Crain had a second wife, Carolyn, and they did have a child who survived. Carolyn is Eleanor's grandmother.
Bishop73