Review: Ghostwatch
Blu-ray: Ghostwatch (1992)
I remember watching Ghostwatch live when it was broadcast back in 1992, and while I soon caught on that all wasn’t as it was made out to be, it still drew me in and gave the odd shiver down the spine.
30 years later and “the cat now being out of the bag” about it, as well as a proliferation of found footage/live streamed/homemade horrors vying for our attention, does Ghostwatch still manage to entertain, especially during the “spooky season”.
Well I’m very pleased to report that it certainly does, especially in this upcoming “Black Label” release from 101 Films (the 28th in this particular collection) featuring it looking and sounding better than ever, and accompanied by some very interesting special features.
The great Michael Parkinson is the glue that holds everything together, his gravitas keeping the viewers enthralled as a family invite a live television crew into their home to try and capture the ghostly goings-on that have been upsetting the 2 young daughters.
While never troubling the likes of Freddy or Jason as horror icons, “Pipes” become an iconic ghostly figure in the UK after the screening of Ghostwatch, as it seemed most everyone was talking about it for a long time afterwards. People still split between whether what they had witnessed was real or not, which is testament to the hard work and planning that went into putting everything together in as convincing way as possible.
This great blu-ray release shows events with more clarity than ever before, whereby previous camera sweeps in the house occasionally caught a dark blurry shape, this time it can be seen that bit more clearly, adding that extra shiver or two down your spine.
A brand new 30th anniversary documentary “Do You Believe In Ghosts?” and 2 commentary tracks flesh everything out about what was involved in putting all of this together and gives a deeper appreciation of what is an unforgettable part of British television history. Add to this some great packaging with newly commissioned artwork, a reproduced script, 6 art cards and much more, and you have yet another “must buy” from 101 Films.
An essential purchase for those that remember watching it 30 years ago AND anyone that has never seen it before.
The long dark nights are now upon us, settle back and invite “Pipes” into YOUR home.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- ‘Do You Believe in Ghosts?’, a brand new 30th anniversary documentary on the Ghostwatch phenomenon
- Commentary with film historians Shellie McMurdo and Stella Gaynor
- Commentary with writer Stephen Volk, producer Ruth Baumgarten and director Lesley Manning
- Shooting Reality by Lesley Manning
- Limited Edition Booklet: Includes ‘Extra Sensory Perception Management’ by Sarah Appleton, ‘Ghostwatch – As it Happened’ by Tim Murray and short story ‘31/10’ by Ghostwatch writer Stephen Volk
- Reproduced script, annotated by director Lesley Manning
- Set of six art cards
Released 31st October 2022.
Also…make sure to listen to Chris and Adam chat all about it on a Spotlight Reflection show.
Review by Dave from a disc kindly supplied by 101 Films.