Ghost Stories for Christmas 1

It’s been a longstanding tradition in this country to gather around a cosy fireplace (in case you have one) and listen to, or read, or even watch some ghost stories for Christmas over a glass of mulled wine or port – in particular the stories of Edwardian writer M. R. James is a firm favourite. On that note, what better way to celebrate this Christmas than with BFI’s Vol 1 of GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS? The 3-disc Blu-ray set contains four classic M. R. James episodes (originally produced for the BBC) plus some enticing and chilling Bonus features!

Disc 1 features the 1968 b/w version of WHISTLE AND I’LL COME TO YOU (dir: Jonathan Miller) starring Michael Hordern as dotty and absentminded Cambridge academic Professor Parkin who, during an off-season break on the East Anglian coast, indulges in a spot of golfing and walking along the dunes. During one outing he stumbles upon a long abandoned graveyard where he spots a strange looking object protruding from a grave. Upon closer inspection the object turns out to be an old bone whistle, which bears the following carved inscription: “Quis est iste qui venit” (“Who is this who is coming?”). Curious, he blows the whistle and immediately the weather changes to an almighty storm but a lot worse is to come when Parkin decides to take the whistle back to his hotel room…
As a Bonus feature we are treated to the 2010 remake or rather, an updated version of the story (written by Neil Cross), starring John Hurt as retired astronomer James Parkin who embarks on a brief holiday in a remote coastal town after the strain of watching his beloved wife Alice (Gemma Jones), who is in a care home suffering from advanced dementia, lapsing more and more into a catatonic state. Alas, the break turns out to be an ill-fated undertaking after Parkin discovers a strange wedding ring with the same aforementioned inscription while walking along the beach. Taking the ring with him for closer inspection, Parkin finds himself subjected to gradual terror which unfolds in his hotel room. This has a very different spin to James’ original story (and to the 1968 version) and some may find the overall tone bleak if not altogether depressing – nonetheless Hurt is first rate as a man tormented in more ways than just one while the unexpected conclusion delivers a shock ending.

Disc 2 features THE STALLS OF BARCHESTER (1971) and A WARNING TO THE CURIOUS (1972) – both directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. The first tale – a story within a story - concerns itself with scholar Dr. Black (Clive Swift), who, in 1932, is busy cataloguing the library of Barchester Cathedral and is intrigued by a 50-year old diary (sealed under order of the current Dean) which describes in detail the macabre events surrounding the mysterious death of the cathedral’s former Archdeacon, Dr. Haynes (Robert Hardy). With a little bit of detective work, Dr. Black eventually pieces together some uncomfortable facts such as the apparent murder of Haynes’ predecessor and stranger still, some 17th century carvings on the cathedral’s choir stalls which – in Dr. Haynes’ mind – seem to come to life during evening prayers. Then there is the sudden appearance of a big black cat in the Deanery which only Haynes seems to see but no one else – is he slowly going insane or are supernatural forces at work?

The second story is the creepiest of the lot, starting with a prologue of sorts and a rather grisly murder before a good few years later, hobby archaeologist Mr. Paxton (Peter Vaughan) arrives in the tiny coastal town of Seaburgh in Norfolk. Mind you, he didn’t come for a holiday but rather, he is on a mission: as mentioned in the prologue, an old Anglo-Saxon legend tells of three fabled crowns protecting England from invasion. With two crowns lost already, the third one is rumoured to be ‘somewhere’ within the periphery of Seaburgh and Paxton is adamant in finding the relic. When Innkeeper Boots (David Cargill) senses what his guest is up to he warns Paxton about searching for the crown because many years ago, a fellow archaeologist (also in search of the crown) had been brutally murdered by one William Ager (John Kearney) – self-styled guardian of said crown and the last in line of the Ager family. However, while visiting the local rectory to find out more about the possible whereabouts of the relic, the Vicar (George Benson) informs Paxton that some time after the murder, William Ager died relatively young from tuberculosis and even shows him the grave. Just as Paxton reads the inscription on the gravestone a strange figure clad in cape and hat appears on the horizon before vanishing again. With Ager dead, Paxton sees no reason as to why he shouldn’t continue in his searching for the crown and indeed, after some digging in the nearby forest he discovers the very site where the relic is buried. Overjoyed he takes it back to his hotel room while he can’t shake off the feeling that all the while the strange figure from earlier on follows him. He even tells fellow hotel guest Dr. Black (Clive Swift again) – a hobby painter – of his find. Soon though, both men are about to discover the terror which Paxtons’ discovery unleashes…
The suspense never lets up thanks to the exquisite camera work and Peter Vaughan’s portrayal as a man whose obsession turns into gradual unease and paranoia.
As a Bonus, we are treated to Christopher Lee reading ‘Ghost Stories for Christmas’ (2000).

Disc 3 features LOST HEARTS from 1973 (also directed by L. G. Clark). Here, young orphan Stephen (Simon Gipps-Kent) is sent to live with his eccentric (if not downright barmy) and much older cousin Mr. Abney (Joseph O’Conor) in his stately yet remote country house. Mr. Abney seems the welcoming type and points out that he has a big surprise in store for Stephen’s 12th birthday, which happens to fall on All Hallows Eve. The kind but gossipy cook Mrs. Bunch (Susan Richards) tells Stephen of other children – all orphans - who Mr. Abney took in over the years, in particular an Italian boy called Giovanni (Christopher Davis) who never stopped playing his hurdy gurdy and another orphan, a young girl they called Phoebe (Michelle Foster). When Stephen asks what became of them the cook points out that one day both vanished without a trace before remarking that Giovanni was just short of his 12th birthday before he went missing. Mrs. Bunch has no answer when Stephen asks her why the hurdy gurdy is still on a shelf in the house when Giovanni loved the instrument so much. Later that night, Stephen has a terrible nightmare in which the ghosts of Giovanni and Phoebe appear in his room, with the boy playing his instrument before both children pull their clothes aside from their chests to reveal deep open wounds with their hearts cut out. The following morning, a hysterical Stephen is certain that what he saw was real and some claw marks (brought on by long fingernails) are proof but Butler Parkes (James Mellor) accuses the boy of lying whilst outwardly, Mr. Abney dismisses the event altogether. It is not before the very day of his 12th birthday that Stephen comes to realise what his strange cousin is really up to…
As a Bonus we are treated to an insightful interview with the director.

Further Bonus features include audio commentaries and contributions from Ramsay Campbell and Christopher Frayling among other treats… so what are you waiting for? Order this fantastic stocking filler now!