The Woman In Black (Directed by Herbert Wise) 1989

I've always been of the opinion that a good horror movie should not always necessarily rely on blood, gore and effects to make it a success. 'The Woman In Black' most certainly wasn't a success regards to ratings, in fact it was only shown on television once - back in 1989, on Christmas Eve I believe, and although it is loosely based on the chilling book by Susan Hill, it has been much ignored over the years - especially with the recent, and very awful movie starring Daniel Radcliffe. Whilst the book, and the eerie stage play are very much separate entities and highly recommended, this made for television film is proof that some films work with the power of suggestion.

'The Woman In Black' is an extremely atmospheric ghost story set in the seaside town of Crythin - and a young solicitor is sent to an old, creaky house by his company in order to clear up the estate left by an old widow. The solicitor finds the town and its locals very strange due to their reluctance to discuss the deceased, and they become even more unsettled when the solicitor begins to have several strange experiences, including the sighting of a gaunt woman dressed in black attire.

This film has all the elements of a classic spine-tingler, with the remote location, the creepy house, the ghastly apparition and the bumbling, yet clearly frightened locals, and whilst the scares are not necessarily in your face, the image of the pale spectre in broad daylight is quite unnerving along with those phantom noises on the dreary marsh. The plot does differ slightly from the book, and reaches a chilling climax, but throughout the film there are several eerie and atmospheric scenes which live long in the memory. As you'd expect from a British movie the acting is sturdy, and the film does not give way to Hollywood gimmicks of a daft soundtrack, exaggerated acting and lashings of blood - instead, just like the book and the theatrical version, the 1989 adaption is perfect fodder for ghost story hunters keen to experience flickering candles, fleeting shadows and creaks on the stair.

Although 'The Woman In Black' does lack the panache of some of the BBC M.R. James adaptations, it's still effective in all the right places, and despite the fact that atrocious movies such as 'Paranormal Activity' seem to be taking over the cinema, 'The Woman In Black' symbolises all that is right with the classic British ghost story and it's no surprise, considering that it was written by Nigel Kneale, the man behind such gems as 'Quatermass' and 'Beasts'.