I have a thing for Folk Horror at the mo. Creepy stories set in the countryside, most often modern, sometimes not and always involving ancient magic of some kind.
The Wicker Man starring Edward Woodward [Callan, The Equaliser] is probably the best known example of this sub-genre of film. However, its the small screen I've turned too as I've discovered a rich seam of television plays largely from the Seventies, which are all folk horror.
I began a few years back watching the old BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas like Warning to the Curious. I've seen quite a few now and in fact I've asked Father Christmas for the complete set.
They are, though, just the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of folk horror TV plays out there and reader Tony K put me onto an excellent one earlier this year called Vampires, which I blogged about at the time.
Today I've watched Murrain, an hour long story from the Against the Crowd series from 1975. Written by the enormously talented Nigel Kneale it concerns village witchcraft in the Peak District, not too far from me here in Yorkshire.
With powerful performances, a dark landscape and a brooding atmosphere, this slice of rural sorcery is eerie as hell and watchable in every way. The brave lack of a musical score only adds to the fearful mood.
You can watch it yourself on You Tube here:
I shall watch more of the Against the Crowd series, together with any more folk horror I can find on You Tube. Some aren't available that way like Robin Redbreast [1970] which I've heard good things about, so I'll try to rent the DVD.
Have you any folk horror TV programmes and films in your part of the world that you can recommend?
I wonder if the sub-genre spawned any toys or collectables?
I've not seen this one before. It makes me appreciate that there was some very good telly drama being produced in the 1970s. That a different pace of narrative and editing, compared to modern TV drama. And as you say, no non-diegetic sound used to build mood and tension. But then it doesn't need any, with such a powerful script to drive the story along. The story is kinda timeless as well.
ReplyDeleteI think the scary message of the drama, is how moral panic, and its cause and effect of 'witch-hunt' persecution against the 'otherness' of the social outsider, still festers away and is so easily ignited... even in todays 'enlightened' world. Great TV drama, Woodsy :)
Hey that's great that you've watched it Tone! Cool! Could they even make a drama like that now? I love the fact that it was set in the North. It is very gothic landscape down the road from here in the Peaks. As you say, intolerance is a sub-text we can all see around us once again.
DeleteI have two,decidedly low budget,part comedy horror flicks to refer to.one is called Mothers Day,made in 1981 I believe,about a very,VERY dysfunctional family living in a remote wooded part of New Jersey and a trio of young women who,unfortunately,encounter these people.It has its comic moments, but be warned, is very violent and disturbing throughout.Another similar film is called Mutant Man and was made in late 90's/early 2000's.very similar in story line,this movie was filmed in my hometown of Hammonton, New Jersey, and some of my former school mates are in the cast.Im watching your "Against The Crowd" right now...creepy.
ReplyDeleteI think I have Mothers Day on VHS Brian. I'll have to get it out of the attic! Don't know Mutant Man. I love the New Jersey connection! Ur must be the capital state for American horror! Did you enjoy Murrain from the Against the Crowd series then? PS. O was once pictured in a NJ magazine called Weird New Jersey. Do you know the mag?
Deleteyes Weird NJ is always fun to read.I won't hesitate to agree that"Joisey" is one WEIRD place,I just don't want the world to think that everyone here acts like those ill mannered brats from that MTV show Jersey Shore.After watching that episode of Against the Grain I concluded that the area you live in is very similar to where I live, give or take a few Pine trees.The mood the story sets is indeed disquieting.Mutant Man was not a major theatrical release, but I do own a commercially produced DVD of it ,and There is a bit of info on it here and there on the net.The directors name is Suzanne Delaurentis,that might be a good way to search for it.
DeleteI think it's still possible to make a drama in the shape of 'Murrain', Woodsy. But the real issue would be audience reception. Today's mainstream television audience has been conditioned to have different expectations of TV drama. The commercial needs of broadcasters and their backers dictate what we watch on the box. And as we know, what we watch shapes our perception, world view and thinking. I suspect that if a 'Murrain' style drama was produced or reproduced today, it would be made by an independent production company, possibly as a short film drama, aimed specifically at the specialised arthouse circuit, the film festival run, or even theatre :)
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean Tone. I suppose the closest we got to the glory days of TV horror were the modern attempts at a BBC Ghost Story and the Crooked House three parter from Xmas 2008. Mark Gatiss has to be applauded for his eloquent efforts to raise awareness of the history and merits of horror including British folk horror. he also wrote and starred in Crooked House. Have you seen it Tone?
DeleteNo sorry Woodsy, I haven't seen Crooked House. Sounds like one I should try and track down though. Have you seen Wake Wood, starring Timothy Spall? I'm sure I caught it on the Horror Channel a couple of months ago. It's kinda British/Irish folk horror, but a pretty decent film for a modern production. Well worth a look if you get the chance :)
Deleteanother Nigel Kneale ive never seen. His 70's series 'Beasts' was excellent, I wonder how this will fare against it? Ill have to watch Michael Hordern in Whistle and ill Come to You, still one of my most favourite ghost moments. Murrain incidentally is the detritus and ground up rock left behind in the wake of a glacier, does that resonate with the play?
ReplyDeleteI've never seen Beasts. Another one on the list! Whistle and I'll come to you is excellent, only equalled by Warning to the Curious. I've asked Santa for the boxed set of the BBC Ghost Stories which include these two. There are about 15. Murrain is an infectious disease of cattle or a plague, a blight. This does link to the story, a tale of witchcraft. Morraine is that glacial debris your'e thinking of Bill.
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