The Haunted - Story behind the film

A truly haunting story...

From 1974 to 1987 in the town of West Pittston, Pennsylvania one of America's most terrifying haunting's took place. It was at the home of Jack and Janet Smurl; the case received wide attention in the media. Although the house went through three exorcisms and investigations by demonologists the entity refused to leave. The haunting's were turned in to a book and later a movie both named "The Haunted".

Jack and Janet Smurl had moved to West Pittston from Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania to escape the flooding damage left behind from hurricane Agnes in 1972. They moved into a duplex Jack's parents had purchased, sharing the house with them. Jack and Janet and their two daughters, Dawn and Heather lived in one half, and Jack's parents lived in the other. The house had been built in 1896, and was on a quiet street in a middle class neighborhood.

Both Jack and Janet had grown up in the area, meeting in 1967 and marrying in 1968. Jack served in the Navy, becoming a neuropsychiatric technician. Both the Smurl's were raised in Catholic homes and had strong religious beliefs. They enjoyed living with Jacks' parents and had no trouble sharing the duplex with them. The family did some remodeling and redecorating work on the house, settled into it, and Jack and Janet added twin girls Shannon and Carin to the family. The first 18 months on Chase St. were happy ones.

In January 1974, a year and a half after moving in, the atmosphere in the house began to change. It all started with the appearance of a stain on the new carpet. Several days later the television burst into flames. Then the events became more disturbing the newly fitted sink and bathtub were found severely scratched as if a large animal had clawed at them. Freshly painted woodwork in the bathroom also showed similar scratches.

In 1975, their oldest daughter Dawn repeatedly saw people "floating" around her bedroom. The paranormal activity in the house increased toilets would flush without anyone using them, footsteps would be continuously heard on the stairs, drawers would open and close on their own accord, radios would blare although they were unplugged and empty rocking chairs would mysteriously rock and creak as if someone were actually sitting in them. As time went on, they began to smell sour and vile smells throughout the house and on several occasions, Jack felt the touch of an unseen hand caress him.

By January 1985 the poltergeist activity was no longer confined to Jack and Janet's side of the Duplex. Jack parents, John and Mary were also subjected to frightening events. The house would become icy cold, and they would hear what appeared to be violent shouting on Jack and Janet's side of the home, with abusive, foul language.