The Woman in Black (TV 1989)

When a friendless old widow dies in the seaside town of Crythin, a young solicitor is sent by his firm to settle the estate. The lawyer finds the townspeople reluctant to talk about or go ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Wise

Writers:

Susan Hill (book), Nigel Kneale

Stars:

Adrian Rawlins, Bernard Hepton, David Daker

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Adrian Rawlins	...	Arthur Kidd
Bernard Hepton	...	Sam Toovey
David Daker	...	Josiah Freston
Pauline Moran	...	Woman in Black
David Ryall	...	Sweetman
Clare Holman	...	Stella Kidd
John Cater	...	Arnold Pepperell
John Franklyn-Robbins	...	Reverend Greet
Fiona Walker	...	Mrs. Toovey
William Simons	...	John Keckwick
Robin Weaver	...	Bessie
Caroline John	...	Stella's Mother
Joseph Upton	...	Eddie Kidd
Steven Mackintosh	...	Rolfe
Andy Nyman	...	Jackie (as Andrew Nyman)

Storyline

When a friendless old widow dies in the seaside town of Crythin, a young solicitor is sent by his firm to settle the estate. The lawyer finds the townspeople reluctant to talk about or go near the woman's dreary home and no one will explain or even acknowledge the menacing woman in black he keeps seeing. Ignoring the towns-people's cryptic warnings, he goes to the house where he discovers its horrible history and becomes ensnared in its even more horrible legacy.

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Plot Keywords:

woman in black | gothic horror | horror movie remade | haunted house | color in title | 

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Taglines:

A spine-chilling ghost story

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1989 (UK)

Also Known As:

Asszony feketében

Filming Locations:

Church of The Holy Cross, Sarratt, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Central Films Limited, Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Fiona Walker (Mrs. Toovey) is the wife of director Herbert Wise.

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Goofs

When Mr. Kidd is in the nursery for the first time, just before the toy soldier is supposed to magically appear in his hand, you can see the actor reach into his pocket and retrieve said object then conceal it in his palm.

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Connections

References The Gold Rush (1925)

User Reviews

Sheer Terror

I've only seen this movie once in my life and have never forgotten it. I was thirteen years old and a teacher showed it in class on Halloween. I had to leave the classroom and have never, ever, forgotten the Woman in Black's face.

The big climax scene is beyond frightening, as can be expected, but I found the earlier scenes to be just as terrifying. The general tone of the film leaves you unsettled, even when nothing particularly scary is occurring. It is very, very subtle, but no other film has ever had quite such an effect on me.

If you think ghosts are scarier than slasher movies, I would definitely recommend this movie. Unless you hate being scared. In that case, don't ever watch this.