Rating: Summary: A vengeful ghost story that defines the genre! Review: Oh how I wish they would re-release this movie on video. With the current success of THE RING as well as the classic selections from the British 1960's (THE HAUNTING, THE INNOCENTS, THE UNINVITED, et al)...THE WOMAN IN BLACK is the perfect tale of a ghost hell-bent on revenge and mayhem. This movie is very subtle in it's portrayal of horror because it has the viewer experience the ghost in little bits and off kilter glances, slowly building up to the inevitable confrontation. Imagine a black silouette void of all color...begging to be seen (in order to scare you to death) but always thwarted by the victim's doubt of the experience. However, the victims resistance breaks down eventually(with the viewer) while the observations become closer,and closer...clearer and clearer, UNTIL... . There is one specific scene that literally caused my wife and I to scream(no joke)where we get an up close in-your-face look at the woman in black's body and maniacal face!! My wife refuses to watch this movie again. I'd love to buy this film for my collection. It's a must have. A classic if there ever was one. Please re-release this!
Rating: Summary: This Is A Genuinely Chilling Horror Film Review: I first saw this movie here in the U.K. in December 1989 when Central TV broadcast it. I still have the video tape, although worn out (over the years many friends and family members have borrowed it and have also been chilled!). Anyway, I remember coming home that night, grabbing a Christmas tipple, switching the lights out and watching what was advertised as a 'Christmas Ghost Story'. Oh boy...even now I remember certain scenes that still send the hairs on my neck standing on-end...When Arthur sees The Woman In Black on the marshes at Eel Marsh House...when he is given the toy soldier in the nursery (hitherto locked... but opens alone), the ghostly screams of the pony and trap crashing into the marsh from the causeway and when Arthur is in bed at the Gifford Arms. Now, some of the posts I read here give it a low rating....hmmm...I can really only guess at why...This is a 'traditional' ghost story; there is no big budget action or special effects...no swearing, no blood, no gratuitous sex scenes, no chainsaws or guns etc...So how refreshing!!!! IF you like chilling horror, well written, well acted and with a genuinely scary atmosphere, this is the movie for you. I too like the original horrors; only last night I saw the original Haunting and that is a superb movie. Very atmospheric again - and so is The Woman In Black. The end of the movie differs to the book, but still very good. Well, looking at the other good judges on here, I think the recommendation speaks for itself. And it *is* recommended! Try it...you *will* like it if you like traditional ghost stories...SO...turn off the lights, turn up the fire, lock the doors, grab a drink...and enjoy... :)
Rating: Summary: Disappointing Review: So many people told me this was a scary movie. I didn't know what to expect, but I found it disappointing and frankly laughable. Rent it or check it out at the library. DON'T BUY IT!!!
Rating: Summary: Excellent Review: It is spooky, eerie, scary. This film is perfect. One of my favorites. Every parents nightmare.
Rating: Summary: Uncommonly good writing AND good special effects. Review: It's a rare thing nowadays to find a modern gothic horror that can make me feel uneasy. I tell you straight up: I think that for some, watching this movie alone in the dark if you are easily scared might not be such a good idea. The primary ghost in this movie is truly chilling, and the invisible ones are unnerving. The actors truly potrayed these emotions so well that one empathizes and feels them right along with them. Indeed all the actors did a very fine job in their roles. This movie's plot and style are highly reminiscent of the excellent gothic horror teleplays penned by the famous 70's horror genre writer Richard Matheson and produced by the famous horror icon Dan Curtis. Thus the mood and atmosphere in this dark and disturbed jewel of a movie are magnificent. And the icing on the cake is that the visuals and special effects are OUTSTANDING, totally congruent with the rest of the movie thus not detracting one iota from the quality of the other aspects of this movie. The quality of the picture and visuals are on par with those excellent ones in the Jeremy Brett PBS Sherlock Holmes series. The village scenes, Olde London, the vast fog-shrouded marshy coastlines--all utterly vivid and totally believable. It could only be exceeded by actually being there. One could almost smell the fog in the air. Great movie, but not for the faint of heart.
Rating: Summary: I Have to agree with Smky777 Review: When I read the reviews on this movie I just had to see it. Well I did and it was very disappointing. It's not that I don't recommend that people see it, I do. I'm just saying it's not that scary.The Haunting (old version) had it beat hands down.I recommend everyone see it that enjoys a good ghost story, it just takes a bit more to scare some of us.
Rating: Summary: WOULD ADD A 1/2 TO THE 3 IF I COULD Review: however, this is worth a look but in no way shape or form would i ever call this one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. I sometimes wonder when people say things like that if they really see many scary movies like i do. Anyway there were some creepy moments and as far as that HORRIFYING ENDING i think it was somewhat predictable. Maybe i have just seen too many scary movies. But as i stated it is definatley worth the look but dont expect to be horrified.
Rating: Summary: Woman in Black and The ring Review: This movie is one of the scariest things I ever saw. No gore, no special effect, just a good story with a good theme and this makes the movie one of the best horror movies I saw in years (yes I know it's an old movie).Why the ring? The ring is a new movie that brings you to a new level of horror and terror. The cinematography is shocking, acting brilliant; the story is top of the top. The viewer is gripped from the start and being pulled inward with no hope to escape up to the finale second. You want a night of horror? Get the ring, get the woman in black, you wont regret, you wont thank me for the nightmares but you wont regret it. Ziv.
Rating: Summary: Fine traditional British ghost story Review: Although the departure from Susan Hill's novel, at the end, in favor of a groaner of a catastrophe, is regrettable, for the most part this film is first-rate. I appreciate the attention given to the development of interesting, worthwhile characters -- how rare it is for a supernatural tale to have worthwhile characters! The settings are often just delectably good. The ghostly scenes are eerie and the use of sounds is most effective. Can be enjoyed with repeated viewings.
Rating: Summary: The most frightening film I have ever seen. Review: Back in the good old days (well, the 70's and 80's for me) there were a flush of brilliant and genuinly scary made for TV (esp.British TV) ghost/horror films. Many of these were the legendary Ghost Story For Christmas short films, based on the tales of M R James. There was The Signalman, based on the Dickens short story and Whistle And I'll Come To You made for BBC2's Arena. And there were sadly now almost forgotten classic TV movies such as Dark Night Of The Scarecrow and Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark. At Christmas 1989, the BBC showed this, The Woman In Black, as their ghostly Yuletide offering. I did not see it at the time. I was informed of it some years later by my best friend at school. He told me how he had seen it on its initial broadcast and had gone to bed on Christmas Eve in tears. How I wanted to see this film. A year later it was rescreened by the BBC on Christmas Eve. I sat up and watched it myself. Turned the lights out. Pulled the armchair up in front of the TV and settled down. It was a nightmarish viewing experience. I was not disapointed. This was, and is still, the most terrifying film I have seen. I was told that the London stage show was scarier. I went to see it. Balderdash! It was a good play but not scary in the least. The only frights came from sudden bursts of ear piercing high pitched screams which made the audience jump out of their seats. That isn't "frightening". Anyone can creep up behind someone and shout "BOO" and give them a moments fright. But The Woman In Black TV movie instills the heart with dread. Horrifying. I would recommend that readers check out The Signalman and A Warning To The Curious both recently released by the BFI. Both are classics. (review by Doctor Pat Von Doomsday)
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