Known as “the father of
the modern ghost story” M.R.James left a rich legacy for the authors
of supernatural tales, and Lawrence Gordon Clark adapted, produced and
directed perhaps the finest example of haunting television, which continues
to influence literature, television, film and interactive fiction. A
few possible examples are mentioned below: |
Sapphire
& Steel: An eerie, and complex fantasy series from the early 1980’s.
Follow two time agents as they encounter vengeful ghosts, haunted locations
and the malevolent “darkness”. A subtle use of lighting and dramatic
tension build memorable scenes, and contribute to the UK’s rich tapestry
of supernatural fiction. Haunted railway stations, 'beings' who can
hide in photographs, and an all prevailing sense of doom still reverberate
from the series, decades after its conception. A series of audio adventures
are due for release, and I will add a link when they become available.
Till then, for an excellent synopsis and examination, try the Sapphire
& Steel website:
Info : Buy
|
The
Lost Crown: is a scary, and thrilling, new adventure title
inspired by classic ghoststories and today's modern ghosthunting techniques.
The haunting works of Charles Dickens, M.R.James, Arthur Conan Doyle
and E.F.Benson combine with night-vision cameras, E.V.P and other ghosthunting
gadgets to bring a frightening story to gamers in Spring 2006. Learn
to use advanced techniques used by real paranormal investigators, and
uncover an ancient mystery, and treasure. Info
: News |
The
Others: Hollywood returns to the classic ghost story. Very briefly.
The Others is a fascinating, and scary film, with atmospheric photography
and a brilliant musical score. With unexpected twists, and an intelligent
moral, the influence of James and Clark is obvious to see. Nicole Kidman
brings humanity to a complex role, and Alejandro Amenábar directs a
modern supernatural classic. The fog shrouded house is a memorable and
effective stage, and proves that modern cinema can still think small.
Info
: Buy
|
Dark
Fall: Both the writing of James, and the direction of Clark were
very much in mind when I wrote the story for Dark Fall, and Dark Fall
2. A deserted train station, and isolated hotel hark back to early horror
films, while the story is definitely a warning to the unsuspecting.
Writing computer games doesn’t have to mean blood and guts, and clumsy
horror, instead I focused on a progressively suggestive atmosphere and
subtle soundtrack. The New York Times went onto to say Dark Fall “outshines
the rest of the years commercial adventures”. Info
: Buy
|
The
Ring: Both this original, and the US remake, are highly effective
chillers. There’s a strong influence from “Warning” at work, revolving
around a video tape which you are warned not to watch. Curiosity
gets the better of the characters (victims in waiting), and a vengeful
ghost haunts their lives for 7 days, and then kills them with a nasty
stare. Inventive, atmospheric and intelligent. Nakata Hideo’s (Director)
and Hiroshi Takahashi (writer) contribution to modern supernatural storytelling
should not be underestimated, or undervalued. Info
: Buy |
The
Grudge (Ju-on): Japan, again, providing the most chilling and effective
ghost stories. There are suggestions that buildings themselves can be
haunted, and malevolent. Both this original, and it’s US remake, feature
phantoms with long drawn-out white faces, which immediately remind me
of James’s fascination with the ghost puppet (from Punch & Judy). Scary
faces indeed. Info
: Buy
|
The
Blair Witch Project: With no actual witch, or obvious horror gimmicks,
this excellent horror utilises the landscape, inky darkness and creepy
sounds to suggest the horrors hidden beyond the cinematic view. Both
we, and the characters, let our curiosity get the better of us... to
terrifying results. Ed Sanchez and Dan Myrick expertly build tension
throughout the film, and the domestic quality of the footage increases
realism. The film could be the best example of modern supernatural film
making. Info :
Buy
|
Dark
Water: Can a stain on a domestic ceiling really be indicative of
a malevolent haunting?? Writer Koji Suzuki and director Hideo Nakata
(The Ring) certainly wish us to believe just that. Suzuki is an expert
horror writer, using simple everyday items to evoke depression, anxiety
and fear. The brightly lit stairways of an apartment block, the dripping
tap and a bland elevator have never been used this effectively in supernatural
fiction. The tagline is a great homage to "Warning": “Some mysteries
were never meant to be solved.” Info
: Buy
|
The
Stone Tape: Nigel Kneale’s rather shouty 1972 drama is a perfect
comparison to Clark’s “Warning to the Curious”. The graceful and haunting
sand dunes of the latter are replaced by 70’s interiors, modern dialogue
and a scientific approach to paranormal investigation. It was all jolly
exciting at the time, but looks (and sounds) rather bombastic now. At
it’s heart, though, this drama is definitely a warning to the curious,
just in a very different style. The drama went on to influence Stephen
Volk, when writing Ghostwatch (see below) and has given weight to a
theory used in modern parapsychology, "The Stone Tape Theory", in which
the actual building stores historical information, to be replayed at
certain times. It's a delicious idea, and all the more interesting given
its dramatic roots. It's a shame the ghosthunters and parapychologists
of today are less inventive, and lack imagination. Info
: Buy
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Ghostwatch: Stephen Volk's 'screenplay' for the BBC Screen One series was a strange beast. A mockumentry (before the term was coined) in which amateur ghosthunters (in the form of Blue Peters Sarah Green & Red Dwarfs Craig Charles) spend the night in a supposedly haunted suburban council house. Meticulously planned and executed, the show holds up very well several years later. 'Live' TV was a reasonably new phenomenon at the time, and provided much of the edge the show still exhibits, helped hugely by the pressence of autumnal favourite Micheal Parkinson. It is, without doubt, the reason why Living TV's 'MostHaunted' is a huge success. It may have caused the BBC a few headaches at the time of transmission, but don't believe the hype which suggests the beeb has tried to bury the show. A DVD was released two years ago, and the Cult section of the BBC website proudly hosts features and interviews. Ghostwatch is as close as it gets to 'modern supernatural fiction', and I believe James would have found it most entertaining. Info : Buy
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