Film review: Ghost Story

Review by David Paul Hellings

@HellingsOnFilm

“It was one of the most talked about horror films of the early 1980s, thanks, in no small part, for the wealth of Hollywood royalty nearing the end of their careers starring in what was, for many of them, the first and only horror film of their working lives.

And now, for the first time in the UK, Ghost Story arrives on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Second Sight on 7 December 2015.

The film, based on the acclaimed Peter Straub bestseller (rated by Stephen King as one of the finest examples of the craft of the late 20th century) stars screen legends Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks Jr and John Houseman. Three of the four were making their final film appearances ever, with the acclaimed horror proving to be a fitting epitaph for their talents. The film also stars a haunting Alice Krige (Star Trek).

Ghost Story follows a quartet of elderly friends who while away the time in their dotage by telling each other spooky stories and creepy tales as part of their Chowder Society group.

But when one of them meets an untimely end and the rest are afflicted with troubling nightmares, it appears as if past crimes could be catching up with them…”

Synopsis via Second Sight

Review:

The age of the classic ghost story has sadly passed. It is a lifetime ago that “The Haunting”, “The House on Haunted Hill”, and “The Innocents” were benchmarks of the sub-genre. Apart from the occasional foray, such as “The Sixth Sense”, and “The Others”, tales of the supernatural are now largely stories of possession fuelled by CGI, sound cues and a search for franchise. The most interesting ghost stories in recent years have all come out of the Asian territories, with the Japanese filmmakers creating the scariest of all. “The Ring” and “The Grudge” opened the doors to a new generation that previously thought horror was only about gore. The success of “The Woman in Black” for Hammer shows that there is still an appetite for ghost stories, but they remain more likely to turn up on the BBC late one Christmas night rather than receive a cinema release.

Director John Irvin’s 1981 version of Peter Straub’s novel (described by Stephen King as “probably the best of the supernatural novels since “The Other”, “The Exorcist”, and “Rosemary’s Baby”) sees veteran actors Melvyn Douglas, Fred Astaire, and Douglas Fairbanks Jnr in their final theatrical film performances and provides a fitting resolution to their lengthy careers. Joining them is John Houseman, the result being far superior to the 1983 “House of the Long Shadows”, which saw the legends of horror Lee, Cushing, Price, and Carradine, sunk by the miscasting of Desi Arnaz Jnr. The veterans of “Ghost Story”, who had never acted together in a feature before, are a pleasure to watch and curious to see in a horror film. It’s highly unlikely that a modern version would use actors of such an age in today’s teen-oriented market, unfortunately.

“Ghost Story” may not have the kind of scares that modern audiences have come to expect, but it remains an entertaining and engaging watch, full of atmosphere and dread. The leads perform admirably, as do the supporting cast, and the film keeps the tension going until the end. It is an old-fashioned affair in the very best sense of the term, focusing on story, character, and atmosphere rather than gimmicks and effects.

“Ghost Story” arrives on Blu ray with a strong transfer that is sharp and faithful to the source print, retaining a filmic feel. Colours are natural and the winter scenes are particularly good.

The release of “Ghost Story” is a welcome return for a much-revered film that should please fans of the supernatural, ghost stories and lovers of classic horror.

Highly recommended.

Special Features:

Audio Commentary by Director John C. Irvin.

Author Peter Straub: Genesis.

Actor Alice Krige on Alma and Eva.

Screenwriter Lawrence D. Cohen and Producer Burt Weissbourd: Story Development.

Albert Whitlock with Bill Taylor: Visual Effects.

TV and Radio Spots, Photo Gallery.

Title: Ghost Story

Blu-ray Date: 7 December 2015

Cat.No.: 2NBR4049 RRP: £19.99

Cert: 18