Who is this who is coming?

 

Well its almost Samhain and thoughts turn to all things creepy. I dug out the BBC Quatermass and the Pit tv series the other night to indulge myself in my favourite sci-fi serial, with Andre Morrel as the eponymous Prof. Probably some of the best TV series ever made, considering it was originally broadcast live. Another firm favourite for me is the 1968 Omnibus programme, which ran Johnathan Miller's depiction of the classic M.R James ghost story 'Oh Whistle and I'll Come To You'. It a simple tale of hubris and academic bloodymindedness, with Michael Hordern playing a stuffy professor, on a weekend retreat in Norfolk. The Prof actively decries all supernatural activity as nonesense, declaring that all things can be explained away as science. However, during a brisk coast walk, he finds a clifftop graveyard, the internments being gradually eroded by the elements. On inspection, he discovers a strange artefact, which soon changes the Professors worldview on the occult.

Its something I have seen many times and will see again, as it is due to be screened in a small local cinema, along with a reading of the original story, just before xmas. The effects are spare and basic, but amazingly effective and the landscape in which was filmed, really lends itself to the story. You can watch it on You Tube here:

Whistle and I'll Come To You (1968)

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the Jurassic Coast and spent some time fossil hunting near Weymouth. Whilst this is a good distance from Norfolk, the spectacular gravel beaches and rolling yellow cliffs really put me in mind of the story, especially the scene where the Prof journeys home along the beach at twilight and glimpses a mysterious figure. I took a snap myself of a figure on the beach, as it was eerily similar. The coast is spectacular and very photogenic. The Durdle Door sea 'cave' was featured on the recent second series of 'The Sandman'.

Another great folk horror favourite is the more recent adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley's book 'Starve Acre'. Starring Matt Smith, it is a bleak tale of supernatural and occult practice in the remote corners of Yorkshire. In style it is very reminiscent of Nigel Kneale's TV series 'Beasts'. It was recently available to watch on BBC iPlayer, and well worth a viewing, especially on these dark autumn evenings..

Starve Acre - Official Trailer