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The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Shaun Elliot - Behind You!
Review: I first watched this one christmas, when it was shown on channel four for the first time. A ghost story for christmas I think the announcer said. Lovely, a log fire, port in one hand, stilton and crackers in the other, perfect.
And yes, it was one of the best chillers, horrors, whatever you want to call it I had and have ever seen.
Not a drop of blood in sight, relying on Susan Hills novel and expertly crafted atmospheric visuals I can't sing the praises of Woman In Black enough.
As somebody else has already mentioned, there is little publicity surrounding this which I don't understand. There are no Hollywood special effects, big movie stars, just pure raw talent from all who worked to create this.
The stage play is awesome as well but obviously gives a different perspective to the 'one on the telly'.
I own my original recording of the programme on VHS which I taped back in 1989 and it's starting to get a little worn.
I've looked high and not to mention low for The Woman In Black for years and here it is on amazon.com.
I'm like a dog with two..........
I'm buying it, once I can borrow my girlfriends card, today!!
Buy it, enjoy it, don't watch it alone.....and leave a light on.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tom Reynolds is having a bad day....
Review: My only reason for writing this review is pure astonishment at anyone daring to give this film one star. I originally copied the video when it first appeared on BBC TV in the late 1980's, I've read the book and seen the original stage production in London (which was still running last year). Susan Hill has written a number of very well reviewed novellas with a supernatural theme, of which this is probably the best known. There's nothing wrong with the material.

I've watched it at least two-three times a year since I first got it and it still holds it's original charm and terror - the acting and the setting are both brilliantly done, and it seems like 90% of the people who reviewed this agree.

If you find this boring, you should probably be out snowboarding with a sixpack of Coors Light.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A Real Cinematic Snooze-Fest
Review: Any student of the cinema will tell you that the medium of film is an art form, and that which is produced within it is therefore open to opinions that are inherently subjective. That said, let's take a look at this film, which is touted as being a "spine-chilling ghost story." Warning! Danger, Will Robinson! Don't call the orthopedic surgeon just yet, because "The Woman In Black," directed by Herbert Wise, is decidedly NOT chilling, nor is it apt to affect your spine in any way, shape or form. Those with insomnia, however, may want to give it a go, because if this one doesn't put you to sleep nothing will, and you had better seek professional help posthaste.

Solicitor Arthur Kidd (Adrian Rawlins) is dispatched from London to the coastal town of Crythin to attend the funeral and settle the estate of one of his firms clients, just deceased. At the cemetery, he first sees the woman in black (Pauline Moran), whom he assumes is a mourner. And upon his arrival at the mansion of the departed client, which is situated in a rather remote and nearly inaccessible location near the sea, he sees her again, in the yard. Later, after conducting his inventory of household items, he is visited by another, rather unseemly apparition; and still later, as he ventures out upon the road to await the carriage that will take him back to town, he is subjected to a cacophony of unearthly wails and sounds of unseen people in torment. And it's all a part of the mystery surrounding the enigmatic individual of the title.

From the beginning, though, the "mystery," such as it is, holds little promise of any supernatural excitement or thrills. The story/screenplay (by Susan Hill and Nigel Kneale) is insipid and uninspired, and director Wise does little to make it otherwise. The tale begs for an atmosphere of delicious foreboding, but it never happens; Wise's idea of "atmosphere" is providing gray skies and fog. Not that there's anything wrong with that, except that a good fog should induce some apprehension, and Wise's does not; it just kind of lays about, producing nothing more than a lack of visibility. And he doesn't exactly go "out of the box" for effective F/X; the best he can come up with is borrowing the famous "Skree! Skree! Skree!" sound that Hitchcock used so effectively in "Psycho," which here, during one of the "apparitions," does nothing but startle the viewer into agitation as it grates on the ears. In the final analysis, to say this film is less than riveting would be a gross understatement; there is simply nothing here to make you sit up and take notice. Add to all of this a lame ending, at which point the filmmakers at last make an attempt to draw the viewer in and make an emotional connection-- which is too little and comes too late-- and what you have is a disappointing and forgettable film, to say the least.

The performances, too, are every bit as uninspired as the presentation of the film itself. Beginning with Rawlins, the portrayals are all to the last actor-- while neither convincing nor unconvincing-- just...well...dull. This is in large part, of course, a reflection upon the story and the director; the players did do the best they could with what they were given to work with. What this film needs more than anything is some nuance, some spark! of life-- but where there is no flint, there is no fire. Unfortunately, the barbecue will have to wait for another time and another picture.

The supporting cast includes Bernard Hepton (Sam Toovey), David Daker (Josiah), Clare Holman (Stella Kidd), Fiona Walker (Mrs. Toovey), Joseph Upton (Eddie), Robin Weaver (Bessie), William Simons (Keckwick) and John Franklyn-Robbins (Reverend Greet). Without question, employing subtlety can be extremely effective in presenting a story with supernatural underpinnings; the director, however, must be astute in the dispensing of it, lest he reduce his audience to a state of catalepsy, which is essentially what Wise has done with "The Woman In Black." But to those who have somehow unluckily found their way to this cinematic casualty, take heart; because the movie you were actually looking for is out there and readily available to treat you to a "real" spine-chilling ghost story. It's called "The Others," and stars Nicole Kidman. Now THAT one is the real deal; it is there that you will find the magic of the movies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rare Find
Review: I use this video in classes sometimes to demonstrate how utterly chilling a film can be without excessive gore, explosions, etc., etc. Rarely have I seen such perfect gothic atmosphere, period detail, and great ensemble acting. If you love a truly frightening ghost story, The Woman in Black is a vintage pleasure to be enjoyed again and again. It's particularly refreshing to find a powerful story that isn't dependent on tired and overblown special effects.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Old Fashioned Ghost Story at its Best
Review: Fine Ghost story develops pretty well. Fine released generally it builds up a perfect atmosphere up to the end (with spooky appereance of the Woman that will send chills down your spine). It deserves a place in every "Ghost Story" enjoyer collection. It is a pity they don't do many movies like this anymore.
If you like old fashioned ghost stories (such as The Haunting (1963), The Uninvited (1944)) you will not be disappointed. If you never heard about this movie (like me before) you'll be surprised on how could such a gem be unknown.
The DVD release is medium quality more or less like the VHS version (that is less expansive). Any format you may prefer, a film not to be missed.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: DArk Woman
Review: This movie is very spooky and mysterious and the figure in black is deliciously chilling.But this isn't the ghost movie for you if you want a happy ending,where good wins over evil.You've been warned.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Pleasant Suprise
Review: I'm a huge fan of horror films, but hadn't heard of this one until I stumbled on it on Amazon. I trusted in the positive reviews and was not dissapointed...it's creepy! This is just the kind of scary stuff I enjoy. No gore needed, just a really good spooky film.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Worthless!!!!!
Review: Incredibly slow, incredibly poor directing, a good attempt at acting by the lead, and incredibly poor production values. I've seen after-school specials better than this. Don't waste your money. Buy the book and read that instead.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Over 6 years have past....and i still see her face...
Review: I'm serious, this is the most horrifying thing i have EVER experienced.

I watched it about six years ago with my mum and i still haven't gotten over it. Firstly, do not watch this film if you genuinely get psycholigically freaked out by things. This will play with your mind. Hell, i still see the Woman in Black's pale face with dark eyes, staring evily, and it scares the hell out of me. I wish i'd never watched and i'm certainly never gonna watch it again.

Just the look of the picture on the case brings back terrible memories and images in my head...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just what I've Been Looking For In A Horror Film
Review: I,like many other people read the reviews on this movie and decided to purchase it.I purchased the DVD version and was not impressed with the picture and sound quality. That is my only complaint because the movie was so good, I overlooked the bad.It had a great plot and all of the actors were superb.I noticed that some of the other reviewers thaught that it was a little slow at times but sometimes it takes some slow scenes to create the story line and to build up to the more exciting scenes. This movie has great atmosphere and some spine tingling scenes. One scene in particular will scare your socks off!! If you're the type of horror movie buff who likes that creepy type of atmosphere where your imagination can jut run wild without a whole lot of fake blood and gore then this movie is for you.


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