You're probably in the pub tonight, what with it being Christmas Eve. If so, you would have missed the BBC's adaptation of M.R. James' classic ghost story, Oh, Whistle and I'll Come To You, My Lad. This latest adaptation reframes the original story and gives it a thematic spin not present in the original text - nonetheless, it manages some unnerving moments - and owes a big debt of gratitude to Robert Wise's The Haunting. It's got a wonderful, sustained atmosphere throughout and encompasses a number of tropes associated with your Unit 3 creative project: things to look out for; great use of framing/cropping to create unease; the empty hotel setting; an uncanny bust; wonderful, wonderful lighting, a nasty bit of business with a door, a creepy doll's head, and a disembodied hand...
I remember watching the original BBC adaption with Michael Hordern. Chilling stuff!
ReplyDeleteOriginal Version
ReplyDeletePart 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83CIwVKNjM4&feature=player_embedded
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz4K8DQgk4s&feature=related
Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdg22sRuJKU&feature=related
Wow, thanks Alan. The BBC did radio adaptions of a number of M.R James stories last year for Christmas and I believe 'Whistle and I'll Come To You, My Lad' was part of the series. In fact, I do believe I made a post on this very blog.
ReplyDeleteHighly doubt they will still be on iPlayer though.
Hi Tom,
ReplyDeleteI also recommend watching "The Stone Tape" written by Nigel Kneale (Of Quatermass fame)...
Here is part 1 (of 11)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkEK17FdSMY
And yes I remember your post.
ReplyDelete