Review of Whistle and I'll Come to You (1968) by Art S — 17 Dec 2014
Two BBC television versions of an M. R. James ghost story (published in 1904) involving a lonely professor who finds an object (a whistle in the original) that seems to invoke a spirit that then haunts him (mostly at night, while asleep, but also on a lonely British beach).
The 1968 version, in black & white and featuring Michael Hordem (Marley in the 1951 A Christmas Carol), is far superior, with some genuine creepy moments, even if the special effects are totally old-school (well, probably better for it!).
The 2010 version, starring John Hurt, tries to build a modern subplot about Alzheimer's disease into the otherwise spare story and ramps up the night terrors to some full-strength banging on the door.
Hurt is good (as usual) but the story loses some of its mystery when it becomes more about strong bonds of love than about unknown spectres.
This review of Whistle and I'll Come to You (1968) was written by Art S on 17 Dec 2014.
Whistle and I'll Come to You has generally received very positive reviews.
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