The British have developed a wholesome, cozy, and chilling little tradition at Christmas: telling ghost stories. It recounts a long history of folk horror story telling, thanks in large part to ancient legends that often involved wronged ghosts, such as Buckland Glen’s Headless Lady or Milecastle 42’s Sentinel Ghost. The classic British ghost story we inevitably landed on our doorstep charles dickens (Christmas carols) and Mr James (Warning for the curious), whose stories have become synonymous with the scarier parts of the most joyous season of the year.
1970s, television director/writer/producer Lawrence Gordon Clark Keeping this tradition in mind and developing an anthology of television shorts under its banner Christmas ghost story. The films, largely based on Mr James’s ghost stories, were screened on BBC One every year from 1971 to 1978 in the days before Christmas.
Only a few episodes strayed away from James’ origins. The sixth film in this series, signalmanis based on the story by Charles Dickens, while the two most recent films were based on original screenplays (and were the least popular among fans of the classic story). The series was relaunched in 2005, but with a more sporadic release schedule. Of the newer films, only one differs from James, Land number 249which is based on Arthur Conan Doyle story.
shudderThe horror streaming service has brought the films to the platform as part of its December slate. If there was ever a time to appreciate the ghost stories people used to read by candlelight or by the fireplace, but presented in the form of a made-for-TV movie, it’s now. Christmas ghost story has been a source of inspiration for many horror creators and directors, John Carpenter and shylock and doctor who writer/actor Mark Gatiss (He would go on to write and direct his own ghost story entry) among them.
Here is a short list of the best entries in the series, all wonderful works of fiction involving ghosts and people who must suffer from them.
- “A Warning to the Curious” (dir. Laurence Gordon Clark, December 24, 1972)
In Mr. James’s story, being a scholar means being haunted by angry spirits. In most cases, academics themselves are responsible for their own misfortunes. Despite warnings, or a complete disregard for the supernatural on the basis of rational thought, these types of characters are set up to have their sane sense of reality shattered by a skeletal hand or a restless ghost who is Protecting an ancient monument that shouldn’t exist. Academics are a sensitive bunch.
In “A Warning to the Curious,” the man who embarks on the ghost trail is an amateur archaeologist who is searching for a mythical crown, despite stories of a violent ghost guarding it. Widely regarded as one of the three best films in the series, Warning captures every element of what makes these stories so effective. Scenes are shrouded in fog, characters carry the weight of local secrets built on the central mystery, and apparitions appear with unpredictable flashes of terror, ensuring their presence is felt in every frame. In this case, the academic protagonist also embodies a sense of isolation and isolation that is also reflected in other characters of his kind. this is perfect Christmas ghost stories story, it will have you pushing for the next story the moment the end credits roll.
- “Oh, whistle, I’ll come find you, my boy” (Director: Jonathan Miller1968)
This one has an interesting place in the series because it wasn’t originally intended as ghost story. It is part of an art and documentary series called Omni buswhich includes biopics, artist profiles and adaptations. “Oh Whistle, I’ll Come to You, My Boy” is often cited as having such an important influence on Lawrence Gordon Clark that it is included in ghost story.
Possibly James’s darkest story, this is about a Cambridge academic who goes on holiday to a seaside hotel that houses an ancient cemetery close to the beach. He discovers a strange whistle buried nearby. He whistled and a ghost answered. Presented in black and white, “Oh Whistle” takes the original story’s focus on academic naivety and transforms it into an existential crisis that invites more interpretations than the source material. There is a sense of impermanence that makes everything feel either ghostly or almost lifeless. Questions about death and the existence of the supernatural both contribute to the perception of the supernatural as real. It’s relatively quiet, but as the story unfolds, it’s all meant to provoke thought. This is a gem that every ghost story fan should experience.
- “The Signalman” (directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark, December 22, 1976)
A man stumbles upon a signalman (by Denholm Elliottor Marcus Brody in indiana jones Movie) standing next to the railroad tracks leading to the tunnel. They chatted for a while, the signalman gauging his trust in the man. It was not long before the signalman confided to his new acquaintance that he had seen a ghostly figure waving to him and rang the bell next to the signal box at the entrance of the tunnel. What that means remains a mystery, but that mystery will be solved before the episode is over.
The episode succeeds in creating a layered mystery that builds into more than one dark revelation before the dust settles. In fact, the progression of the story is filled with little horrors as the Signalman’s story is slowly revealed. This makes each paranormal phenomenon like a puzzle piece that, when put together with other pieces, reveals a harsh existential realization of the indifference of fate. Some of the images Gordon Clark managed to capture here have become iconic, particularly the ghost’s face (which has been used as the cover of some collector’s editions of the series in the past). It’s an episode that haunts me in more ways than one.
- “Shame” (directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark, December 28, 1977)
Online reviews for this episode ranged from mixed to very unfavorable, but upon first viewing, it was clear that it was worth watching again. “Shame” tells the story of a woman who begins to bleed from her abdomen without any cuts or injuries. This started happening when a menhir (a large standing stone) on the grounds of her country cottage was disturbed by workmen trying to make space around the garden area. The woman’s husband ordered the stone removed, which also attracted their daughter’s fascination with the stone and the men who worked to remove it.
Note that menhirs are part of stone circles found throughout Western Europe. They were built by humans in prehistoric times and have been the subject of many British horror films due to the mythology surrounding them (see son of stone TV drama, stone beltand on earth).
Back to this episode, the story can be interpreted in many ways. It alludes to the pressures of family life and how living by the rules essentially leads to a “death by a thousand cuts” situation. We die slowly, with wounds that are not easily discernible. It can also be seen as a commentary on violence, and how ancient expressions of violence can still rear their heads today. The only real problem with this episode is that it just ends. Of course, all the ingredients needed to start a conversation are there, but more is needed to truly make an impact. However, the premise is valid. It’s quietly brutal, and it holds a mirror up to viewers who may not have been ready to take a closer look at themselves when it aired.
- “Barchester’s Stall” (directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark, December 24, 1971)
This is where it all begins. Although Omnibus’ “Whistle, and I’ll Come to You” is a good start, barchester stall This is the first step. The story follows a scholar named Dr. Black (who also appears in “A Warning to the Curious”) who stumbles upon an old diary that once belonged to Archdeacon Haynes. It was soon suggested that Haynes had murdered his predecessor for the Archdeaconship. As might be expected, the ex may seek to rectify this serious transgression, thus beginning his own troubles. As Haynes tries to escape his sins, a black cat, murderous clawed hands, and strange noises all appear.
This is the stuff cozy ghost stories are made of. The locations here are mostly dimly lit churches and dusty libraries. Religious symbols carry a hellish backstory, and they hint at the Archdeacon’s inevitable demise. Above all, the atmosphere is heavy, as if reality is gently tearing at the seams and letting in the dead. It’s the perfect start to a new tradition.
