Review of Ghostwatch (1992) by David C — 24 Jul 2010

In 1992, the British Broadcasting Corporation was determined to do something diverse for Halloween and when the 31st October arrived, they did it with style. Starring Michael Parkinson as a host of a special never-to -be-repeated live documentary called 'Ghostwatch', allegedly perceived to be real-life, the program was pitched as the truth and nothing else. But when the show was aired that night in '92, all hell broke loose and was ultimately held responsible as the cause of death on a young Nottingham boy. Out on the field was 'Red Dwarf' star Craig Charles and adjacent to him was Sarah Greene who, when raiding the residence, was beset by the ghastly images within. Owned by a single-mother with two daughters, she calls in the BBC team to see a ghost called 'Pipes' for themselves and when they do she shatters and is left in a pool of tears. With a phone-in live on the show so individuals could view their own supernatural parables live on air, only to be criticised by a shrink when they got on. A mass of non-believers begun to see themselves as believers and the show ratings hit the roof. The ones who did phone in was met urgently by a recording warning that it was only a television show and was not to be taken seriously, because some people do and end up panicking themselves stupid.

With an accumulation of props all set up on set and in the house, according to the grapevine in North London, they tended to discharge one at every potential minute. Mike Smith, ever the carer, gets anxious and keeps on argumentative that Greene is in difficulty and must leave as soon as possible. One of the most supreme individual shows ever to be made for television in the last few years, it is however dreadfully dated in several ways, but is still a very pleasurable mockery with realistic acting from all. Trick photography is used to its best advantage while the budget must have soared through the roof. Sadly this show was said to of disturbed many viewers, even though it had "Written by" in the credits and was blamed for the death of Martin Dennham, when he hanged himself. Created and written by Stephen Volk (Gothic - 1986), the program is underscored with haunting music from Philip Appleby. Director Lesley Manning gets the most out of his petite cast and uses it to his advantage to give the ambience of loneliness and isolation for the whole hour and a half duration. A mesmerizing show that will live on for years to come in he hearts of all Brits'.