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The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Old fashioned haunt travels familiar terrain
Review: While there are no scenes of violence in "The Woman In Black," a spooky made-for-TV British production, the intensity of the film's scarier scenes will terrify younger children. It's this very intensity that has made the film so popular with lovers of the ghost story/haunted house genre.

All of the familiar trappings are here - an isolated house with a history; desolate graveyards dotted with tombstones; terrified townsfolk refusing to go near the place; an innocent outsider who must visit the home; and a silent ghost who's anything but content. "The Woman In Black" carries on a grand tradition of spine-tingling Victorian ghost stories dating back over 150 years. This tale could have just as easily been penned by the likes of Poe or Stoker or even Bronte.

The filmmakers were very resourceful when filming the sporadic appearances of the title ghost, and when she does make an appearance, each time a tad closer to the protagonist, the viewer will definitely look over their shoulder. Unfortunately, the filmmakers/writers would have been better served to utilize this creepy appparition a bit more. "The Woman In Black" drags in many places, and the history behind the ghost and the town's curse is never comfortably explained.

Granted, much is left to the viewer's imagination, with character reactions giving the viewer modest plot hints. But the shocking conclusion combined with several moments of difficulty in understanding the protagonist's motivation will disappoint many. The plot is simple, if not comfortable. A London lawyer is sent to a coastal town to document the possessions of recently deceased woman, finds her house is eerily isolated and plagued by mysterious sounds and, of course, a ghost dressed in black. The story set-up is quite good, though the lawyer's reaction after returning to London is puzzling at times.

I would love to see this story filmed with a larger budget, as the restrictions from the TV medium are apparent throughout. Truth be told, I do plan on watching this film a second time to try and see just what I missed, as this story does require alert concentration when listening to several character monologues.

When I do watch this film again, I will not be looking forward to seeing the woman in black, as she is indeed creepy - to say the least.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not bad, but not great.
Review: While looking to purchase, "The Lady in White," this movie showed up during my search through Amazon. I read the reviews and decided to purchase the video. Mistake! Never purchase anything strictly on reviews. Only purchase a movie after you have seen it for yourself.

This movie appeared to have been made for British television. It's not a bad movie; it's just not terrific. While there are a couple of scary scenes, the main story, as to why the ghosts haunts, is boring. While the lady and her illegitimate child died in an accident, it does not explain why she is so angry; why she continues to return; or why a village child dies whenever she appears.

I was waiting for someone to say that the towns folk didn't help save she and her child, therefore she was exacting her revenge by taking their children. That would have made sense. But that's not what we got. The actors were fine. The little dog was cute. But the script needed help.

This movie is definitely worth viewing, but not to be purchased. Watch for it on the BBC or your local PBS channels. It really is worth watching, just not owning.

Go to your nearest video store and rent, "The Lady in White." You will be very pleased with this movie. It is worth seeing, and purchasing.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is a classic
Review: This is the best Ghost story I have ever seen, Truly scary, don't watch it alone!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: First Class Spine Tingler
Review: This is without doubt the most chilling ghost story I have ever seen. It genuinely sent chills up my spine. Forget big budget Hollywood horrors - this is the real thing. The play is excellent. This is better. Much better than The Haunting. Buy it - you'll love it!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Creepy, but Flawed
Review: This is well worth a viewing. Written by Nigel Kneale of the Quatermass series, it provides tension and horror without computer animation, cheap special effects, or any gore whatsoever. The scene in which the title character appears in a cemetary near the old house is quite spooky although it is in broad daylight. It is a film full of disembodied voices, shadows, and mists which produce a pervasive creepiness that gets into your mind. It is far from perfect, however. I am not sure I fully understood the explanation for the goings-on. Perhaps my attention wandered, but it seemed as if it had been poorly cut. The ending seemed a classic case of "we have two minutes left, what do we do?" The logic of the story leads to a bad end, but not this end.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Creepy! Chilling! And a Great Ending!!
Review: This is an intelligently-written, well-acted ghost story. A couple of really effective "jump out of your chair" shocks! And I thought the ending was very well done! The ending was not what I had expected, but upon reflecting on the story after watching the film, the last reel made perfect sense. I had never even heard of this film before purchasing the video. But it is deserving of a spot in anybody's scary-movie collection.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: "The Woman in Black" was not what I expected. It lacked the ability to impress me as a true "ghost story". I would not recommend NOT buying it.....it is worth adding to your collection, if you are like me and collect ghost stories. For me the original "The Haunting" (with Julie Harris), "The Legend of Hell House" and "The Hearse" are much more spine tingling. I love a good ghost story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Everyone should see this
Review: No special effects or hollywood budgets, yet this movie can have the ability to inhibit your sleep for a few nights... A great story. I've been looking for it for so long.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I want my mummy!
Review: Saw this with my dad about six years ago. He and I never got over it. The most spine-chilling film ever made. Telling yourself 'It's just a film' will not help. Watch it alone in the dark at your peril!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Greatest Ghost Film Ever!
Review: Better than THE OTHERS; THE INNOCENTS; THE CHANGELING; THE HAUNTING (original or remake); LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE or any number of other ghost movies I could name. Shockingly simple, yet effective special effects. The only movie I've ever seen (and I LOVE horror movies) that provoked an extended scream that grew and grew! A palpable shriek! I LOVE this movie.

Yes, it seems a little slow at times if you're looking for a roller-coaster thrill ride of a movie (which can be great -- I think ALIEN is the greatest horror film of all time) but it pays off in spades! You get engrossed in the cunning mystery, and scares creep out of nowhere and leave you absolutely devastated.


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