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I was quite young when I watched it live on the BBC, I remember the next day everyone was talking about it because it felt so real. Watching this again, that really is the beauty of this show as it is portrayed in such a way that if it didn’t have writing credits or the announcer before saying it was a story people would 100% believe it, even now I think. For that reason, I understand the BBCs reservations about this program and it was only recently that they released this onto DVD. They have never re-aired it since it was originally aired. In a time before found video genre films such as the Blair Witch Project or Unfriended this was truly ahead of its time,I think if it had come out now it would be significantly more liked. Anyway, enough backstory let’s begin the review, first of all, Michael Parkinson is the perfect voice for this show, coarse but reassuring, believing but skeptical. The way he portrays the character is also perfect as he goes along with the story and believes some things however is also quite sceptical using contrast to add more of that magical realism to the show. Another thing that adds realism to the show is that the celebrities in the show play themselves which make it feel more like a documentary than a drama. Next, Sarah Greene who plays the role of the on scene reporter, she is also a perfect fit for the role with more contrasts, such as, naïve but knowledgeable, calm but worried. She is particularly good at conveying the atmosphere and emotion in the house making you feel more invested in the story that is being told she also has somewhat of a character arch throughout the story starting of sound slightly sceptical but over time quickly having less skepticism as the story evolves and more paranormal events happen. Next, Craig Charles, here he plays the reporter outside, unfortunately we mainly see him briefly at the beginning, however he does a good job of starting and setting a good foundation for the story. Next is Mike Smith, Mike plays the role of the telephone line manager, he is very effective in the use of tone to convey different atmospheres complimenting Michael Parkinson’s skepticism at the start and getting more serious towards the end with the social worker call which is crucial to the story. For example in the first third of the program, he talks about a call that came in quite light heartedly and at the end of that call Michael Parkinson dismisses that call as a prank helping the gradual shift of the show’s tone and atmosphere beginning que light and almost homey and satirical and gradually becoming darker and scarier. Next, Gillian Bevan who is playing Dr Lin Pascoe the in studio ghost expert, she does an effective job in her role sounding knowledgable however also sounding outlandish at times as well, these attributes work well with Michael Parkinson’s character’s attributes as if she sounds outlandish then it almost proves Michael’s skepticism and when Michael is being skeptical she can disprove it believable by sounding like she knows what she is talking about. Next, Bríd Brennan playing the mum Of The Children, she is a believable 90s mum who portrays anxiousness, anger and sadness amazingly, sometimes her acting isn’t the greatest however the combination of the children and Sarah Greene it is hard to notice and overall she was quite good. Overall, this program was amazing for its time and even if it was released now, it would be amazing even amongst the large amount of found footage and horror movies that are released in this era. This movie definitely deserves 5/5 because it managed to fill people into thinking a drama was real, the story and the premise were amazing, the choices of actors were perfect for their respective roles and the actors portrayals of their respective characters were of the highest quality as well.

Short Review:

5/5 In it’s own league. Way ahead of its time.

-Cameron Ball 2020

- January 25, 2020Best One-Off TV Special. Ever.