Ghostwatch
Directed by Lesley Manning
A TV reporter investigates a haunted house in this classic British “documentary”, which was originally broadcast in the UK on Halloween in 1992. As experts in the BBC studio discuss supernatural phenomena, reporter Sarah Greene waits patiently for proof of a poltergeist named Pipes, whose bad behavior grows bolder throughout the evening. GHOSTWATCH freaked out gullible viewers across the UK (no warning indicated the special was scripted), leading to controversy, lawsuits and a devoted cult following who continue to search the doc for hidden glimpses of the ghoul.
A TV reporter takes her crew to investigate a haunted house in this legendary British “documentary”.
Cast: Craig Charles, Michael Parkinson, Mike Smith, Sarah Greene
Member Reviews
i thought it was real
The best horror film ever made for television; so smartly written, 100% believable and really really scary. Possessed Parky! I love this movie and I’m very jealous of our friends across the pond who got to watch this ‘live’ on Halloween as kids and young adults—I would definitely been very on edge about any strange goings on in my own place that night! Likely would have been trying to ring that number! Love Dr. Pascoe and love the women playing the Early family; they’re all such natural and talented actresses. The various members of the Beeb who play themselves are also perhaps not surprisingly, terrifically good. Every time I see this I’m terrified for poor reporter Sarah and young Suzanne, trapped in that gloomy, cat yowling space under the stairwell with the very evil Pipes. This would have scared the stuffing out of me. It still does to this day! Every time I watch it I find something new to flip me out or unnerve me. It’s just so much fun. See how many times you can spot the evil Raymond Tunstall aka ‘Pipes’—great to pick him out of the crowds, lurking on the back porches, popping up in mirrors and even roaming the studio! He’s everywhere! The nineties were so much fun and this movie is a great time capsule in terms of hair, makeup, fashions—it’s just great.
Where has this been my whole life?
Subtle. Atmospheric. Authentic. As close to perfect as you can get.
This was a very ambitious movie for the time. The level of commitment from all those involved was impressive. And the story is quite good. From a modern standpoint, it does have some unnecessary moments. But those moments, more or less, were to add authenticity to its original broadcast.