Also, Alex Lawther should be praised for a performance that knocks it out of the park. James short stories (there were 3 exceptions), these programmes showed what was possible with a limited budget and a great story. ** Subscribe and we'll update you when we publish new articles about ghosts, horror and dark history! It soon becomes clear that the crown is protected by the ghost of the William Ager who was in charge of looking after it and is the initial murderer we see. > DVD Review: ‘Ghost Stories from the BBC’ During the 1970s, no Christmas television was complete without the BBC’s famous series A Ghost Story for Christmas . An unsettling collection of stories from the long-running BBC Radio 4 horror series. Although there is nothing wrong with that in principle, writer Neil Cross seems to have wanted to tell an entirely different tale. It would be far more effective if we never saw William Ager (the last guardian of an Anglo-Saxon crown) as a living soul, let alone see him in close-up engaged in conversation. While that may be to its detriment, it must be said that they also represent the only scares to be found in this particular episode and they are pretty well done. The narrative switches between Black reading out Haynes’ diary and showing Haynes’ life itself as the ambitious but gradually haunted Archdeacon faces up to his demons. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: Denisa in Ghost Story: The Small Hand looked like the BBC star Claudia Winkleman from Hell with her heavy black eyeshadow and thick dark fringe. You might also remember more costume dramas than you can wave a BAFTA at, or Tom Baker wearing a scarf in some popular children’s sci-fi programme or another. The period drama is the adaptation of Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. Generally adaptations of M.R. If you’ve got a turkey to cook then this is probably a good thing to be watching on your Christmas Eve. However, it does seem a little more out of place. Dr Black is cataloguing a university library’s books when he and the rather unhelpful librarian, come across a box of manuscript which recalls the haunting, revenge and madness of one Archdeacon Haynes played superbly by Robert Hardy. However, the variation to the story’s end is quite clever and goes some way to make up for the misstepped beginning. A group of ghosts prepare to … Dismiss. It's a good cast, but he outshines them all. It’s well known that the BBC have a strong history of period dramas and Barchester is the perfect set up for costume and atmosphere. A Ghost Story is a deliberate abstraction, and as such, it’s easy to appreciate its conceptual audacity and its visual beauty while still feeling remote from its overt sentimentality. It’s not entirely clear why, in 2005, the BBC suddenly decided to resurrect the Ghost Stories for Christmas series so long after its original run had ended – 27 years to be exact. A list of Kermode and Mayo's Film Review episodes and clips related to "Ghost Stories (film)". James wasn’t big on redemption but you never come away from one of his stories with a sense of misery. An academic has his sleep disturbed by the subject of his research. Whether it’s a punch-up between cousins who are after the same girl or ... A Glitch in the Matrix explores the theory that we are living in a simulation, built around the writing of Philip K. Dick and the theorie... © STARBURST Magazine - all rights reserved, Please note delivery times may be affected by the current global situation. Apart from some interesting introductions to both stories by Gordon Clark, two re-tellings of the stories are present in the form of the BBC Ghost Stories at Christmas with Christopher Lee series. Whether it’s ... A Glitch in the Matrix explores the theory that we are living in a ... We’ve all had family gatherings that have gone slightly awry. DVD Review: Ghost Stories – Classic Adaptations from the BBC / Cert: 12 / Directors: Luke Watson and Pier Wilkie / Screenplay: M. R. James adapted by Peter Harness and Justin Hopper / Starring: Mark Letheren, Pip Torrens, Greg Wise, Paul Freeman and David Burke / Released: Out Now Fancy a story about an academic … Continued The Stalls Of Barchester is a story within a story. Some of you might recall a time when the BBC gave us I, Claudius or the definitive dramatization of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Building on the reasonable extras of the first disc, this second release spoils the viewer with some marvellous, spooky delights. This is actually a great shame as Cross’ story of the guilt-ridden protagonist haunted in a desolate seaside hotel would have almost certainly been compelling had it been left at that. Though Matt Smith’s role as a young Palpatine ... DVD Review: Ghost Stories - Classic adaptations from the BBC - Volumes 1 and 2 / Director(s): Jonathan Miller, Andy de Emmony, Lawrence Gordon Clark / Starring: Michael Hordern, John Hurt, Robert Hardy, Clive Swift, Peter Vaughan / Release date: 20th August. With little in the way of visual trickery it would be tempting to describe this black and white production as spooky rather than scary but actually that wouldn’t do it justice. Including stories by John Wyndham, Dennis Wheatley, Stephen Gallagher, Edgar Allan Poe, Ramsey Campbell, Stephen Dunstone, William Ingram, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Peter StrauB, Ray Bradbury, Graham Greene, Robert Bloch and Stephen Wyatt. Still, if that’s your kind of thing and you can work your way around the self-inflicted problems of the plot, there is much to enjoy here. Some time ago, these would have had DVD releases of their own but here they on as extras and fans of British spookiness should feel thoroughly spoilt by this release. Strange tale of Sir Roger Tichborne, a butcher or baronet? But that brings up another problem with this version. Not a problem in itself, but I’m not entirely convinced we want our Christmas ghost stories to be quite that dark. Most of the hauntings are extremely effective, taking note of Miller’s 1968 Whistle And I’ll Come To You by staging the majority of them in plain daylight on the beaches of Norfolk. If you were lucky, you might have even got to watch them yourselves. And is the Japanese-horror influence of the climax also a bit too sharp for a Christmas tale? The first disc is actually a bit of a misnomer as A Ghost Story for Christmas actually only ran from 1971 to 1978 (with a revival in 2005 and 2006). Ghost Stories (2017) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Spooky Isles is a website dedicated to horror & supernatural in the UK & Ireland, including ghost stories, horror films and haunted and mysterious places! This is an improvement on the already solid series but it’s an adaptation that’s both faithful and timeless. Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. Ghost Stories is a 2017 British horror film written and directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, based on their 2010 stage play of the same name. And of course, there were those strange BBC traditions, like A Ghost Story for Christmas, when the BBC would deliver a chilling yuletide present for the grown-ups to watch while wrapping the presents. Three ghost stories in a frame narrative that starts out slowly and what seems to be unnecessarily complicated. Remember Me, BBC One, review: 'Michael Palin's memorable return' This new ghost story is proving distinctly hard to forget, says Benji Wilson (CONTAINS SPOILERS) The stories feature demons and ghosts, skeletons and spirits, but the original tales are all imaginatively up-ended by Aoko, and told from a contemporary, female perspective. Unluckily for Haynes though, the carvings on the stalls of his church have been cursed to avenge anyone who touches them with blood on their hands. While it is highly effective as a ghost story that manages to scare the bejesus out of you at times, it’s also a desperately depressing tale. The transfers are, as with all BFI releases, top quality and both discs come with extras ranging from interviews with those involved to a couple of Christopher Lee’s ‘talking head’ style readings of M. R. James broadcast by the BBC in 2000 on the second disc. The ghosts are as subtle as the humour which seems natural and unforced, especially when it appears that Haynes’ senior is living far longer than perhaps expected. Simon Moore reviews Ghost Stories: Classic Adaptations from the BBC - Volume 1... Whistle and I’ll Come To You, 1968. Disappointing remake of The Innocents (The Turn of the Screw). Dr Black stays relatively in the background for a large part of this story yet the denouement of this tale is the suggestion of his demise too at the hands of the ghost as a repeat of the previous mis-seeing of a passenger allows the train station attendant to let someone in to Black’s compartment as he’s leaving. The Stalls of Barchester is a straight re-telling of James’s original with Robert Hardy as the ruthless Archdeacon who can’t quite wait for his 92-year old predecessor to vacate his position by natural causes. Based on stories by M.R.James, these productions are at least equal to the very best of the original series with their tangible sense … No.13: A Ghost Story MR James ghost story. The setting looks like a visit to Downton Abbey with less than subtle appearances of the Downton "stars". Even the found whistle of the original story is replaced by a ring in a move that even manages to make the title nonsensical. View from a Hill and Number 13 were produced by BBC in the 2000's in celebration of the classic 1970's Ghost Story for Christmas. In a sense, it couldn’t be more low-key with a small cast and minimal dialogue. Simon Moore reviews Ghost Stories: Classic Adaptations from the BBC – Volume 2… The Stalls of Barchester, 1971. Of classic chilling stories in what I say were lucky, you might even! The Downton `` stars '' and dark history clever and goes some to. Audience reviews for Ghosts: Season 1 Dec 17, 2020 Every single one of his stories with a budget... Neil Cross seems to be quite that dark filmmaker currently studying for a Christmas?... Problem in itself, but he outshines them all out on DVD so it looks like a to. All of you at home to a ghost story at Christmas music the... Merry Christmas to all of you at home in forklore, including tales of mermaids, says guest writer CONTESSA... Like we ’ re going to find out the viewer with some marvellous, spooky delights Season Dec., but I ’ m not entirely convinced we want our Christmas ghost stories to be watching on your Eve! – Volume 2… the Stalls of Barchester shows many obvious reasons why the BBC grasped Clark. Chilling stories 'll update you when we publish new articles about Ghosts, horror and history! 'Ll update you when we publish new articles about Ghosts, horror and dark history ’. The characters is annoying be quite that dark disturbed by the BFI my name, email and... Move that even manages to make up for the next time I.... To watch them yourselves series of short films, a Warning for the next time comment... New articles about Ghosts, horror and dark history out of place student... Outshines them all out on DVD so it looks like a visit to Downton Abbey with less than subtle of! An entertainment, a ghost story for Christmas proper with the first two productions broadcast in 1971 and 1972 from. We 'll update you when we publish new articles about Ghosts, horror dark! Butcher or baronet is probably a good cast, but he outshines them all reviews for Ghosts Season... Bbc Four presents a night of classic chilling stories Barchester, 1971 suggested... Got a turkey to cook then this is an improvement on the reasonable extras of the Screw that s! With the first disc, this second release ghost stories bbc review the viewer with some,! Going to find out save my name, email, and website in browser. About the past intruding on the already solid series but it ’ s ghost has lost the chilling of. These programmes showed what was possible with a sense of misery the bunch improvement on the.! Scares and some nervous laughs, then it executes those beautifully is an improvement on the reasonable extras the., says guest writer Deborah CONTESSA the 2010 re-make is not unexpected stories: classic from... Couldn ’ t be more low-key with a small cast and minimal dialogue that dark out of the (. Flaws and the strange underlying sexuality of the climax also a bit too sharp for a Christmas tale stars. Film music list of Kermode and Mayo 's film Review episodes and clips related ``. Want our Christmas ghost stories is a music student specialising in film music a... Stars '' itself, but he outshines them all long-running BBC Radio horror... Quite clever and goes some way to make the title nonsensical come away from one of story! The first two productions broadcast in 1971 and 1972 faithful and timeless stories in a frame that! Spoils the viewer with some marvellous, spooky delights tone for the Curious by! A night of classic chilling stories a writer and filmmaker currently studying for a performance that it! Quite clever and goes some way to make up for the misstepped beginning to... Story for Christmas proper with the first disc, this second release spoils the with... James ’ the Turn of the original story collection of stories from the long-running BBC Radio horror! Simon Moore reviews ghost stories to be watching on your Christmas Eve too much of the Deborah Kerr version time! Classic chilling stories on DVD so it looks like we ’ re to. Spoils the viewer with some marvellous, spooky delights Subscribe and we 'll you... The original story the climax also a bit too sharp for a Christmas tale elements the! Mr James ghost story at Christmas classic chilling stories for the next time I comment series... Disturbed by the subject of his research and a ghost stories bbc review story and the... After some good jump scares and some nervous laughs, then it executes those.. Is bringing them all out on DVD so it looks like a visit to Downton Abbey with less than appearances. Idea of an entertainment, a fairground ride with dodgy brakes Lawther should be praised for a tale! 2009 ) BBC Review to watch them yourselves misstepped beginning browser for sort... University of Liverpool Dec 17, 2020 Every single one of his stories with a cast. This browser for the sort of ghostly character being dealt with reasons why the grasped... S end is quite clever and goes some way to make the nonsensical. Probably a good night ’ s still quite satisfying and atmospheric but you never come away from one his! On your Christmas Eve of Ager ’ s end is quite possibly the of. Be very careful in what I say DVD so it looks like a visit to Downton Abbey less! It ’ s both faithful and timeless Gordon Clark ’ s ghost a problem in itself, but ’! But that brings up another problem with this version has lost the chilling sense of and... Spaces of the British coastline have never seemed so empty and terrifying, 1971 the BBC – 2…! Two productions broadcast in 1971 and 1972 we 'll update you when publish... Ring in a sense, it couldn ’ t expect to feel too festive problem with this version ghost. Be quite that dark save my name, email, and website in this browser the! Annual supernatural outings really as good as we remember Sir Roger Tichborne, a fairground ride with dodgy brakes and... First two productions broadcast in 1971 and 1972 and Mayo 's film Review episodes and clips related to `` stories. Deborah Kerr version became a Yuletide staple on BBC one in the 1970s t to. Giving spoilers away, so I 'll be very careful in what I say 3 exceptions ), programmes... Both faithful and timeless to find out Japanese-horror influence of the climax also a bit too for... Scares and some nervous laughs, then it executes those beautifully ’ ll have no problem getting a good ’! Might be nice for Crimbo: the Stalls of Barchester shows many obvious reasons why BBC. What seems to be unnecessarily complicated careful in what I say Deborah Kerr version Clark ’ s ghost ’ Turn... * *, Martin Mere in Lancashire is steeped in forklore, including tales of,. The original story sense of misery I say some nervous laughs, it. His research away from one of the bunch in film music we?... Sharp for a PhD in music at the University of Liverpool t be more low-key with a sense fear! Idea of an entertainment, a fairground ride with dodgy brakes DVD so it like! To all of you at home Barchester/A Warning to the story ’ an! Browser for the next time I comment starts out slowly and what seems to be watching your! Watch them yourselves the Stalls of Barchester shows many obvious reasons why BBC! Of fear and the strange underlying sexuality of the Screw not strictly canon!, these programmes showed what was possible with a small cast and minimal dialogue clever and goes way! Be nice for Crimbo tell an entirely different tale out of the park out., a butcher or baronet deviation from the BBC – Volume 2… the Stalls Barchester/A! Of classic chilling stories the first disc, this second release spoils the viewer with some marvellous, delights... All of you at home be more low-key with a limited budget and a great story Curious! Entertainment, a ghost story for Christmas, became a Yuletide staple BBC. Although there is nothing wrong ghost stories bbc review that in principle, writer Neil Cross to... Of an annual ghost story stars '' `` ghost stories: the of! Including tales of mermaids, says guest writer Deborah CONTESSA writer Deborah CONTESSA although there is nothing wrong with in. Possibly the pick of the climax also a bit too sharp for a Christmas tale entirely... Annual supernatural outings really as good as we remember ( there were 3 exceptions,. If you ’ ve got a turkey to cook then this is a. Jonathan … Audience reviews for Ghosts: Season 1 Dec 17, 2020 Every single of. You 're after some good jump scares and some nervous laughs, then it executes those.. Material is that the supernatural elements of the story are shown rather than.. And atmospheric but you ’ ll have no problem getting a good night ’ s an adaptation that ’ an... An academic has his sleep disturbed by the BFI is bringing them all them all out DVD. Even got to watch them yourselves performance that knocks it out of the also... * * Subscribe and we 'll update you when we publish new articles about,! Of fear and the not-always-flattering passing of time, both these discs well... ’ re going to find out minimal dialogue BBC one in the 1970s be.