The Woman In Black (BBC 1989)- Cult TV Review

I recently watched the 1989 BBC production of The Woman on Black as it has only just been released on blu-ray by Network after many years. I loved the theater production in London and watched it twice, once with some East End youth from the centre I worked at who acted with bravado but became scared, and once with a couple of friends over Christmas. I was terrified both times. I thought a TV production wouldn't be able to reproduce the ambience and effect of the live performance, but then when I heard that one of my favorite screenwriters, Nigel Kneale (of Quatermass, The Stone Tapes and errr Halloween III: Season of the Witch fame) had worked on it I knew it would be in a safe pair of hands. 

So, how is it and is it worth a watch?

The tale is the quintessential English ghost story; a  young solicitor, from 1920s London, is sent to a rural coastal community to settle the estate of a recently deceased old widow, who lived in a large, isolated house. Whilst there he experiences unnatural goings on which builds up in a crescendo of scares. The story keeps building and ratcheting up the tension until it reaches nerve shredding. 

The way the story is structured is intelligent as it starts with a busy London, busy market town of Crythin Gifford and then moves slowly to Eel Marsh House where things are isolated, desolate and bleak. The juxtaposition of busy city life with isolated manor is marked and it creates a tension which is palpable. The location shoots are impressive and, with the BBC being no stranger to costume drama, the attention to detail regarding clothes, transportation and other paraphernalia from the period are all top notch.

I watched the more modern 2012 remake, made by Hammer films who came out of hibernation to produce it, and I have to say that I prefer this adaptation to the more recent Daniel Radcliffe affair. Don't get me wrong, the newer version was good but I found that the economy of design and budgetary constraints added a slightly unsettling feel to the older production. That's not to say that it is a cheap production in any way but it's not a big budget Hollywood production with all the sheen and polish that implies. Adrian Rawlings in his role as Arthur Kipps oozes conviction as a man slowly unraveling with all the supernatural elements swirling around him. The standout shock moment, if you know you’ll know the bit I mean, positively pops in this stunning Blu-ray transfer.

The Woman in Black is essential viewing and in my opinion this is the best on-screen version of the story I have seen. It is beautifully shot, wonderfully acted and the script is tight and tense without relying on jump scares or other common tropes. Check it out, it’s a *sigh* scream… I’ll get me coat…

LINK- Dead of Night: Cult TV Review

LINK- The Stone Tapes: Cult TV Review

LINK- Tom’s Midnight Garden: Cult TV Review

LINK- Children of the Dogstar: Cult TV Series Review

Scooby Doo on Zombie Island- Classic Animation Review

1969s ‘Scooby Doo! Where Are You?’ is a television animation milestone. Many children around the world watched the Hannah Barbara show over the years, mostly through syndication, and as a result it had constantly gained new generations of fans. It's impact on pop culture was vast too, from its oft-quoted, "I would have got away with it too, if it wasn't for you pesky kids" to "It's old man xyz" to popularising the chasing through different doors sequence, you know the one; the chaser is pursuing the chasee(s) as they enter through one door only to emerge from a different or opposite door.

The show was hot stuff and it was doing well but over the years it lost its lustre and when ‘A Pup Named Scooby Doo’, released in 1991, was not well received it looked like the end of Scooby Doo. Due to the popularity and relative cheapness of shows like ‘Power Rangers’, ‘Saved By the Bell’ and its live action ilk there was a lull in television animation in the mid to late 90s and Scooby Doo looked like it was going to join the limbo of syndicated satellite cartoon show for all posterity.

However, in 1998 the straight to VHS Scooby Doo on Zombie Island animated movie released and helped to revive the series, winning over a whole new legion of fans and reviving interest in the characters that has continued to this day.

Zombie Island is a bona-fide great story for our Mystery Incorporated team. Shaggy, Scooby, Fred, Velma, and Daphne reunite after a short time apart to investigate a bayou island said to be haunted by the ghost of the pirate Morgan Moonscar. However, the five find not only a deeper mystery on the island, but their first encounter with a genuine, deadly supernatural threat.

The film is beautifully animated with an anime art style, the characters remain true to their origin form but have been finessed to look slicker and cooler than the Hannah Barbara cheaper animation. The background art is stunning and adds to the creepy bayou atmosphere. The ghosts, zombies and cat creatures are all creepy and genuinely a bit unsettling, I'm not sure my 3 3/4 year old daughter would be able to handle the scares... and there are scares aplenty in this film.

The voice cast are excellent throughout and there is subtlety in their performances, it does keep you guessing as to who the true villain is, and unlike all other previous Scooby Doo episodes, there are REAL supernatural elements which is a real game changer in their animated world. The poptastic soundtrack is also pretty awesome and adds some levity to proceedings.

I love that Scooby Doo never really goes away, much like Alvin and the Chipmunks, every generation has their own Scooby that they love. I recently watched the entire 52 part Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated and loved it, calling it one of the best animated shows I’d ever seen, and I love that each person has their own opinion about the best Scooby Doo! Check this movie out though, it’s awesome!

LINK- Mysterious Cities of Gold Complete Series 3 Review

LINK- Hilda Complete Series Review

LINK- Disenchantment- Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Gravity Falls Complete Series Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Complete Series 1 Review

LINK- Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated Series 2 Review

My affection for Cult Films and TV Series

I have been a film aficionado for a long time. My father brought me up on classics like David Lean's adaptations of Oliver Twist and Great Expectations as well as the various black and white classic comedies of Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. However I became interested in cult TV series and films whilst attending University. Our campus was media-centered and as a result it had a huge catalogue of videos to rent, free of charge. I ploughed through many often taking the maximum 8 out at a time and consumed them voraciously. As a result I believe that I am quite literate in films and TV but the series that really attracts me are the more offbeat curios.

I've explained my love for old creepy films here before and now on this website I will be sharing my love by writing reviews . There are hundred of reviews about Metropolis, Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and other stone-cold classics so I don't think I could add anything new to the conversation but lesser remembered works like Quatermass, Children of the Stones, The Stone Tapes, Moondial and Threads; now those are something I feel I could add to the conversation so occasionally I may post a review or article about these films and series... Come join me and maybe find some works which may interest you.