The Woman in Black

Unseen for decades, this newly restored release of Nigel Kneale’s 1989 made-for-TV adaptation of THE WOMAN IN BLACK (a Network web exclusive) is bound to thrill and chill in equal measure.

The much-loved horror classic by Susan Hill was published in 1983 and turned out to be an instant hit not only in the literary world but the theatrical world too: since 1987 the stage version (essentially a two-hander) has been selling out performances in London's West End (currently at a standstill thanks to Covid-19) and venues up and down the country while the 2012 film version starring Daniel Radcliffe was also a commercial hit.
However, in 1989 a TV-version was broadcast by ITV with screenwriter Nigel ‘Quatermass’ Kneale (he had already collaborated on several Hammer Horror productions) responsible for the script. Austrian-born Herbert Wise directed the film and the result is a superbly acted affair rich in eerie atmosphere and even eerier fog. The plot adheres closely to the novel and, in contrast to the 2012 film version, has significantly fewer special effects ... which makes the whole thing all the more creepy as the focus lies more on psychological horror (although there are definitely moments which will make you jump)!

London 1925: junior solicitor Arthur Kidd is told by his boss to travel to the coastal town of Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral and settle the estate of reclusive widow Alice Drablow. Arriving in town, Arthur immediately senses a strange and unsettling atmosphere which is heightened upon meeting local land owner Sam Toovey (Bernard Hepton) who doesn’t seem to like the idea of Arthur going to Eel Marsh House, the estate of the deceased which can only be reached via a tidal causeway. The locals too behave oddly when the solicitor – over lunch in a pub – reveals his reason for having travelled to Crythin. Later on he attends widow Drablow’s funeral together with local solicitor Arthur Pepperell (John Cater). During the poorly attended church service Arthur notices a mysterious woman dressed in black standing in the chapel’s corner and also by the gravestones, though when he looks again she seems to have vanished into thin air. After driver Keckwick (William Simon), who knows the exact timing of the tides, has brought him to the remote estate, Arthur finds himself confronted once again with the spectre of the woman in black and flees into the house. This is only the beginning of a slowly ensuing nightmare… Who is the ghostly apparition and why does Sam Toovey warn the increasingly nervous solicitor time and time again to stay away from the estate? He even offers Arthur to lend him his dog Spider for company and protection in the desolate house. Could some disturbing recordings, made by the late Mrs. Drablow on wax cylinders, hold the clue to the puzzle?

Adrian Rawlins is particularly impressive in the role of an inconspicuous man whose sober worldview is sabotaged by supernatural incidents. Incidentally, Rawlins played alongside Daniel Radcliffe twice in later years: in the 2012 version of the black-clad lady he had a cameo as Radcliffe’s father and in the Harry Potter films he was James Potter, the late father of the popular sorcerer's apprentice. Pauline Moran as the Woman in Black perfectly manages to send shivers down our spines despite having no dialogue. Michael Davis' cinematography makes the moorland look even more menacing and a lot of effort has been put into the interior design and overall period feel. The ending differs from the 2012 version and is almost more shocking.

Bonus material of this Blu-ray release (it features a Limited Edition Collectible Packaging while stock lasts) includes Feature version in full widescreen, audio commentary with Mark Gatiss and Kim Newman, image gallery and booklet. Please note this release can only be ordered DIRECTLY via www.networkonair.com !