The Woman in Black (1989 TV Movie) User Reviews

Thrillingly Creepy

[amandainwonderland · 7/10 · 10 November 2010]

The Woman in Black, which is about a solicitor who was sent to a supposedly haunted house to settle a woman's estate after she died, is a good example of a classic bone-chilling ghost story. Although it is evident the movie was shot on a limited budget, the minimal special effects actually add to its merit. The Woman in Black centres its atmospheric horror factor on subtlety and feelings of suspense and dread, rather than CGI or gore.

Shot in England, the setting couldn't have been more perfect. The house that is the core of the movie is fittingly eerie and inspires feelings of fear and anxiety, as a good haunted house should. The music creates a heart-pounding mood that magnetically draws you to the edge of your seat and causes you to watch the rest of the film through the cracks between your fingers. It is the perfect accompaniment to the terrifying events both on screen and in your imagination. The acting is as understated as the rest of the movie, yet the talented actors make it very easy for viewers to be transported into the world of the supernatural and never doubt it once.

This movie definitely deserves the cult following it has acquired, which is made complicated due to the fact that there are no new legitimate copies being sold. Although this could have been just another low budget made-for-TV movie, The Woman in Black is a new, refreshing take on the old "things going bump in the night" idea.

Downbeat chiller punctuated by legitimately startling scares

[drownsoda90 · 8/10 · 26 September 2014]

"The Woman in Black" has Adrian Rawlins as London solicitor Arthur Kidd, who is sent to a remote seaside village to sort the estate of a recently deceased recluse. While staying at the woman's mansion on the rural marshlands, he is tormented by the sounds of a phantom carriage crash, and the apparition of a mysterious woman in black who roams the property— but that's the least of his worries.

Based on Susan Hill's novel of the same name, "The Woman in Black" has been hailed and beloved by fans, and rightfully so in many ways. It's not a perfect film, but it's an almighty well-done ghost story. In the vein of other Gothic chillers such as "The Innocents" or "The Haunting", the film is indebted to a classical style— heavy on plot and mood, though punctuated by a series of legitimately scary moments that are strung along a sombre and downbeat narrative.

A very handsome (if I may so so myself) Adrian Rawlins leads the film as our protagonist and does a fine job here, while Pauline Moran plays counterpoint as the mysterious and perhaps malevolent Woman in Black. Originally broadcast on Christmas Eve 1989, the film definitely has a "made-for-TV" feel to it, but the cinematography is slick and classy, and the visual elements of the film are on par with the unusually sophisticated supernatural narrative arc. The downbeat ending here is just the icing on a very ghastly cake.

Overall, "The Woman in Black" is essentially the made-for-TV equivalent of classic Gothic chillers such as Jack Clayton's aforementioned "The Innocents"— that's not to say it's a bad film by any means, but rather that it runs in a similar vein, albeit with the budget quirks of a television production. Despite this, there are several remarkably startling moments that have frightened audiences for decades now, and these moments have earned their notoriety, as they are still well-crafted and effective to this day. As a television production, "The Woman in Black" is a sophisticated and nicely crafted ghost story that holds its ground against its more innovated, big-budget peers. 8/10.

Memorably Unique & Darkly Gothic...

[Xstal · 7/10 · 18 August 2020]

Genuinely original in that it denies us the closure we expect to be delivered like the tide; a Tales of the Unexpected meets Hammer House but with the makeup budget spent on a mistery generator.

A forgotten gem

[chuffnobbler · 9 July 2004]

The book is sinister. The stage play is scary.

The film is devastating.

Pauline Moran's brief appearances as The Woman fill the whole film with a sense of doom and terror. She's seen in the background, almost out-of-focus, a few times. The leering, grimacing expression, white face and red eyes, on the rare occasions they fill the screen, will make your heart stop with terror.

No gore and splatter. No blood, swearing and screaming. This is an old-fashioned ghost story. It has a perfect, atmospheric representation of an isolated community, haunted by something so awful that the locals cannot bear to mention it. The innocent newcomer landed in the middle of this terrorised community quickly gains the audience's sympathy but ... wait ... is that the ghost? No. It's only a shadow. ... Hush ... is that the ghost? No. It's only a creaking floorboard. Here she comes. She's coming to get you. You have no escape.

She is the very image of evil, and she wants to make others as unhappy as she herself was. She can pick her moment. She can pick her place. One you are in her sights, you will not get away. The Woman In Black does not rush to tell you the whole story. It doesn't spoil the shocks by revealing everything at once. Little hints to The Woman's origins sneak out one by one, and taint the entire film with dread.

Several other reviews mention The Woman's biggest appearance, and I can only repeat the other comments. One of the most frightening, shocking, unexpected, sudden moments that telly has ever produced. I found myself pushing further and further back into my chair, trying to get away from the television screen.

Simple, old fashioned story telling, with a great story and great performances. Unforgettable.

Black sorrow.

[lost-in-limbo · 7/10 · 15 March 2008]

A young solicitor from London, Arthur Kidd is sent to a small coastal town of Crythin Gifford to oversee the estate of a recently passed away widow Mrs Drablow. While attending her funeral, a mysterious lady dressed in black catches his attention. Supposedly Drablow lived a reclusive life, and locals kept pretty quiet about her. After this he heads to Mrs Drablow mansion that can only be reached on a causeway through the swamp during low tide. There he encounters the woman in black again in cemetery out back of the house, and things begin to get creepy as terrifying noises start coming from the marshes. Now can Mrs Drablow's belongings and listening to her recorded dairy entries help Kidd figure out this gloomy mystery that the locals fear to talk about.

Often highly regarded amongst horror fans as being one of the most chilling ghost stories ever and I can see their point. But only in doses does it draw upon tag. Yes, from what you can gather I was left a 'little' under-whelmed, despite really liking it. I was expecting goose bumps throughout the whole feature, but that's probably it… expecting. Mainly I had a similar reaction with the 1980 haunted house thriller 'The Changeling'. When you hear so many good things, it's sometimes hard not get caught up with it.

Anyhow what the British TV presentation of "The Woman in Black" effectively does is bring out a truly old-fashion, slow burn spine-tingling premise driven by its moody locations, disquieting atmosphere and first-rate performances. Subtly blankets the psychologically gripping story (adapted off Susan Hill's novel of the same name), as the simple mystery authentically opens up with a depressingly tragic tone and successfully characterises its protagonist. Little seems to happen, and can feel drawn out, but the fragile randomness of it catch you off guard. Whenever the camera focuses on the lady in black. Who mostly appears as a background figure, it's ultimately creepy. She might not appear all that much, but when she does…. Talk about unnerving! That also goes for that downbeat conclusion. Pauline Moran, who plays the woman in black, competently gets us nervous by just her gaunt appearance and sudden positioning. A pale look and those minor mannerisms just seem to haunt you. She's a spirit you don't want to cross paths with, yet alone let her see you. An accomplished performance by a marvelously moody Adrian Rawlins as the solicitor Arthur Kidd does hold it all together. In support are solid turns by Bernard Hepton, David Daker, Clare Holman and David Ryall.

Drawing heavy on its lushly sombre rural town and foggy coastal locations adds more to the realistically eerie plight and the centre piece were everything unfolds in the forlorn, time-worn Victorian house that comprehensively suffocates the air with constant fear. Director Herbert Wise carefully fabricates alarming imagery that slowly covers one secretive piece at a time in a smoothly paved out rhythm of well-judged contriving. Instead of going out to shock us, some scenes contain a distressing intensity that won't let go. The sound effects are masterfully used, by surrounding and disorienting the air. Rachel Portman's harrowing musical score knows how to get under your skin during those eerie moments and then stay with you.

This rarity made-for-television feat is a stimulating rich and unsettling supernatural spook-fest. It might not share much new to the sub-genre, but it competently sticks to it strengths to deliver what counts in this curse.

An absolute masterpiece of chilling atmosphere

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 21 February 2012]

As someone who has loved the book for a long time and was affected and impressed very much by the stage play, I first saw this TV film five years ago and to this day I consider it one of the finest ever made of the haunted house genre alongside The Changeling. Recently I saw the recent film, and thought on the whole it was above decent with handsome production values and good scares(with the odd predictable one) but due to the ending and a few scenes that were left out(ie. whistling scene) that could have added so much more to the story something was missing.

The Woman in Black(1989) creeped me out at 14, and it still does, except that not only did I find it a masterpiece of chilling atmosphere but I was also able to appreciate other things about it. It looks great, even with the occasional moment where budget hinders it, with elegant costumes and settings without looking too elegant to spoil the mood of the story, the house surrounded by mist and marshes is especially well done. The photography is good too, brooding without being too in-your-face. There is also a haunting score by Rachel Portman, which enhances each scene but succeeds also in never making it too obvious.

Dialogue is solid, intelligent, thoughtful and true to the prose of the book. The story is timeless, with many telling chapters and a wonderful atmosphere. The Woman in Black(1989) tells the story seamlessly, the pace is slow but I never found it dull. Plus apart from a couple of name changes and a few other small changes it is much truer in spirit to the book than the 2012 film, which as much as I did like it omitted two of the best scenes, had an ending that was underwhelming in comparison and had more jump scares though none were as effective as the single jump scare here, though in its favour it did have a brilliantly choreographed beginning. But it wasn't the story alone that was the main selling point of The Woman in Black. It was the atmosphere.

One jump-scare there may be, but there are several moments that I find creepy even now after seeing it many times since, where my hands are sweating and my heart racing. This is especially true with the whistling scene, Arthur seeing the Woman in Black in the marshes and when Arthur finds the soldier in his hand. The scene of Alice Drablow's funeral, signalling Arthur's first encounter with The Woman in Black is equally telling, and the ending even for people who know it's coming is sad and intense but brilliant. The highlight for me though was the jump scare, involving The Woman in Black hovering over the bed shrieking into his face, which is one of the scariest reveal shots of all time. Plaudits also for creating a sense of loneliness and dread in almost every scene.

Acting is very good. Adrian Rawlins plays Arthur perfectly with the character's state of mind very believable. Bernard Hepton and David Dakar are very good also in their roles, but if there is anybody that The Woman in Black(1989) is memorable for, it's Pauline Moran, who is absolutely terrifying as the chilling titular character. Herbert Wise directs beautifully, and with style and grace while never letting the tension slip. All in all, an atmospheric masterpiece of British television if there ever was one. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Horror Story Redefined

[jamietabug · 7/10 · 10 November 2010]

Although an old fashioned horror film, The Woman in Black is still considered to be one of the scariest movies of all time. Based on the thriller fiction novel with the same title by Susan Hill, it is a tale of a young lawyer named Arthur (Adrian Rawlins), who sets out to the small town of Crythin to seek the estate of a widow who just passed away. He journeys along to the widow's remote house despite the talk of the town, and to his discovery, he learns about its frightening history through strange encounters of the woman in black.

Without explicit use of violence and blood like modern horror movies, this film is cleverly composed to give the audience a frightening experience. The film's simplicity and subtle effects adds to its unique storyline, thus redefining the genre of horror films.

Particularly, the woman in black, played by Pauline Moran, leaves such a strong impression that's haunting, even after the movie's conclusion. Although she is not frequently shown throughout the movie, her character is able to instil fear with just her daunting appearance alone. The woman in black brings a hint of mystery as the movie makes us question her true motives.

This is not a typical ghost story, but yet even better. With a shocking twist and a brilliant combination of terror, mystery and suspense, it will surely be one for the thrill.

A gem - the best ghost film of all time.

[cathalokane · 9/10 · 8 January 2014]

This is the best ghost film of all time.

In this film, you won't find blood and guts, cheap scares, or clichéd setups where you know exactly what is coming. You will just find a claustrophobic and disturbing presence - a happiness sapping looming malevolence that will scare your socks off.

That horrifying woman, who appears sporadically throughout this low budget masterpiece, is a more terrifying spectre than anything I have seen in any other horror film. She doesn't even need to do anything - just her look... her stare is enough to send a chill right through my body. And that's the beauty of this film. It gets the atmosphere bang on.

Since seeing this film for the first time many years ago, it has been the absolute benchmark of quality for every horror film I have since watched. Nothing has yet come close.

The only other film that gets anywhere near is the original Wicker Man (another fantastic film).

If your idea of a scary film is the slasher horror style so beloved by Hollywood, then this might not be your cup of tea. It is a slow paced film that builds inexorably towards its double-whammy horrifying ending and the sophisticated film viewer will savour every minute.

If you haven't seen this film already, it is a piece of work that you simply must experience. The Harry Potter version doesn't even come close.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK (TV) (Herbert Wise, 1989) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 19 October 2008]

I had watched a stage rendition of this popular ghost story while in London in the Summer of 2002; it was one of the highlights of that particular stay and I still vividly recall many of its cleverly-staged scary effects.

Consequently, I was looking forward to this well-regarded TV adaptation – especially given the screen writing credit of Nigel Kneale (who seems curiously constricted by the material); however, I was somewhat let down by it – for one thing, the flat TV style and uninspired, rather low-key approach prevented one's full engagement in the ongoing drama and, while it was intermittently eerie (such as the scene at the cemetery and, in particular, the visitation in the bedroom), it seemed to miss a couple of tricks which constituted some of the best jolts in the stage version I had seen (and which had even thrown a couple of Asian members of the audience sitting in front of me into sheer hysterics every so often!) – notably the woman appearing out of nowhere sitting in a rocking-chair. Another thing which has been left out here is the fact that the curse of The Woman In Black would be visited upon the hero (or, more specifically, his son) on his return home; besides, it didn't seem to me that her back-story was dealt with in sufficient detail either!

Mind you, the film is still well enough done – with utmost care applied to the sets (obviously, the stage production could never truly replicate the feel of the remote location), the sound design and even the unsettling make-up. At the end, I'm sure people who haven't experienced this live, so to speak, would be more receptive to it: in fact, most reviews I've read seem to describe this particular version of THE WOMAN IN BLACK as among the very best (and scariest) of its kind ever – I'd definitely agree where the play is concerned but, for me, the TV version somehow comes up lacking in comparison.

Old School story telling

[Robskit6 · 10/10 · 23 August 2013]

This adaptation of Susan Hill's book made for television is not a big budget CGI fest and is all the better for it. Nigel Kneale's screen play has a delicate touch and allows us to be gently taken along as if ourselves are traveling like Mr Kidd in the train carriage and are placed in an otherwise sleepy little East coast village that has hardly acknowledged any change in a hundred years. Rather than a hammed-up Gothic caricature, this is presented in true Gothic style. We are aware of the absence of city noise, the sound of cars and trains replaced by silence broken by the cry gulls that can sound like the cry of a baby. Dark, fog shrouded days and chill, remote coastal nights. Rachel Portman's score weaves calmly but unnervingly through the sea mists accompanied by the desolate caw of raven and crow that hover over the tilted old headstones and low stone walls. The story is told at the pace of the world that was disappearing every where else at the beginning of the 20th century like a tale recounted by the fire late at night. It is a story of a young middle class man who, at ease with life and the developing new technology around him is suddenly taken out of this familiar environment and made to face the world where the curse of an evil woman still holds sway and kept watch for like sea frets and the danger of the marshes if traveling to the house that lays beyond them. This film begins by showing us an early twentieth century world that now,along with the railway has the motorcar and electric light. There is even featured an early recording device. However, out here in the house beyond the marsh, Mr Kidd knows that the rail tracks can only reach so far and the motor car is no good on the causeway, electric lights can fail. Then, like the eldritch façade of Eel Marsh House, like the devil standing upright in the day,an apparition of a woman dressed in black makes her claim and there is nothing to stand between him and the spectre that has haunted and terrified a generation. Then the darkness begins to fall. Adrian Rawlins is fine as the besieged and tormented Aurther Kidd but it is Bernard Hepton who steals this show as Mr Sam Toovey the rich businessman who befriends Arthur and becomes the steady rock amid the chaos. I believe this film is far superior to the new Daniel Radcliffe film adaption because of all the above. For me there are moments of genuine tension and one scene in particular that in-spite of my being a grown man, had my hair standing on end. We are treated here to a story being told like a tale by the campfire where, at the end of its telling, we perhaps hear something else amid the cry of the gulls and we are dared to peer through the windows of an old house in the marshes and maybe glimpse The Woman in Black. RH.

Film quote:'You're a brave lad and no mistake, but your not brave enough….no one could be.

Worth it for a certain scene, superior to the remake

[slowcando · 7/10 · 25 February 2023]

I first watched the 2012 Remake and gave that a 4/10. It was competently-made but had no real atmosphere, no standout moments, forgettable plot...and Daniel Radcliffe was miscast.

Now got round to the ITV original. Got it on Bluray. Despite claims of "high-definition" it doesn't look much different to standard DVD-quality. But this wasn't a high-end cinema production, it was a budget TV movie. I gather the previous official media release was a very poor VHS-transfer to DVD. According to other reviews the Bluray represents a significant improvement over what was available before.

I recommend the original 4:3 Format as with Widescreen you get quite a bit chopped off the top & bottom of the image. This isn't what the makers intended. Widescreen for a second viewing, certainly. But first-timers should go for the original format. You'll have to accept title-cards every 25min but that's no biggie.

On to the film itself: it's good! The most praise I have is for the faithful reproduction of 1920's England, including fascinating devices like a vintage audio recorder, and manually winding up the electricity. Very well done in that regard, the producers did their homework!

Acting is also of high quality: the sense of fear Arthur goes through is palpable. The plot develops nicely, and isn't predictable. There is one outstanding spine-tingling scene...and because of that scene I can't recommend this to kids. Otherwise the film is relatively tame, tho' the sense of creeping dread is done well. I'm not a fan of the ending, your mileage may vary.

Overall tho' it does what many modern horror movies don't: it builds up tension, has intelligent dialogue and gives us memorable scenes.

Recommended if you appreciate older ghost movies like The Changeling, The Innocents, The Haunting....not-recommended if you prefer more blockbuster horror-movie techniques like CGI, jump scares and shakeycam action.

Outshines almost everything in the same genre.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 25 February 2016]

I have a huge love affair with the Woman in Black, in order I saw the stage play first, then read the book, then this version, and finally the Hammer film. In my humble opinion this is the best version, it is incredibly dark, scary, atmospheric, gloriously produced and beautifully acted. Adrian Rawlins is utterly fantastic in the lead as Arthur Kidd.

Pauline Moran adds a mass of fear and terror into the film, her appearances strike true terror into the viewer. The music, lighting and camera-work all crank up the tension and sinister feel too.

This adaptation is shamefully overlooked, it deserves so much to be seen by a much wider audience, it boasts a subtlety that the update, which I really enjoyed, didn't have.

If you've not seen it, do what you can to get hold of a copy, if you've seen it. The woman in Black is my favourite Ghost story of all time, and this is a tremendous adaptation.

Spectacular, atmospheric chiller.

10/10

It's finally getting a commercial Blu Ray release in 2020.

2020 Restoration

[DanTheMan2150AD · 7/10 · 18 August 2023]

While certainly of its age, Nigel Kneale's adaptation of The Woman in Black brings director Herbert Wise's use of atmosphere to a great-looking period drama. What makes this film so unnerving is its fearlessness in showing the antagonist in daylight and the lack of reasoning or definitions regarding the ghost's capabilities. Making excellent use of misty tidal islands and a consistently disturbing tone even in moments of calm, The Woman in Black has moments that will freeze your bones rigid amidst a spine-tingling slow pace. Unavailable for decades due to a rights depute, it further cemented its appeal to me as a lost classic with that ending which had my blood run cold.

Did I see the same film?????

[benno_dale · 3/10 · 13 September 2007]

I'd heard about this movie a while ago from a friend and she recently got it on DVD. There was a lot of anticipation and excitement as we'd both heard that this was a terrifying film, really scary. How disappointed was I?? VERY!!!! Apart from that one scene (we all know which bit) NOTHING happened!!! I was expecting to see the woman in black a few times and for her to do a few more jumpy scenes, like appear at the window or walk across the hall or something.

Nearly all the reviews here say what a scary, gripping, atmospheric movie this is. I just didn't see it I'm afraid. Maybe there's a difference in what people find scary in the US to here in Britain.

A big let down after all the hyped reviews :(

Scary, very, very scary

[bob-618 · 14 October 1999]

I first saw The Woman in Black when I was ten years old. It was broadcast on Xmas eve 1989. It frightened me senseless and it has never really left me.

It is a really wonderful film and a delight to know that there are some really good ghost stories out there. The whole atmosphere is made tense by the fact that you never know when something truly awful is either going to appear or going to happen and your are treated to the same amount of terror that the main character, Arthur Kidd, is experiencing which is very rare for any film to get the audience involved in that way.

You must see this film, track it down and view something that is so terrifying that you won't sleep for nights on end.

It is a shame that the film is no longer available on video in Britain and is hardly ever shown on television now so come on somebody get this out on video or even better on DVD as it is a classic and defines how all ghost stories should be made.

All the elements to make a great horror movie, but...

[Raydio · 6/10 · 17 September 2001]

After reading the many reviews about this film, I didn't hesitate to order a copy, even though the price in Australian dollars was pretty steep. It was certainly a rare event to find a film that I hadn't seen, and which engendered such eager anticipation. And so it was that along with my two brothers, we sat in a pitch black room to watch, and hopefully be terrified by, "The Woman In Black". Rather than go into detail about this film, let me simply say that I was quite disappointed. Yes, this film has some good elements about it. The settings are wonderful, the historical detail is impressive, and the acting is also above par. So what went wrong? Perhaps after reading all the reviews about how truly terrifying this film is meant to be, my expectations were far too high. While there are a few decent scares, overall I didn't come away all that impressed. I must also add that the DVD image quality was less than stellar, which also detracted from the overall experience. "The Woman In Black" is worth a watch, as long as you don't expect too much. I would recommend as alternates, the truly scary 1980 film "The Changeling" or even the more recent "Stir of Echoes (1999)". Score 6/10

Sheer Terror

[cga219 · 9/10 · 24 September 2006]

I've only seen this movie once in my life and have never forgotten it. I was thirteen years old and a teacher showed it in class on Halloween. I had to leave the classroom and have never, ever, forgotten the Woman in Black's face.

The big climax scene is beyond frightening, as can be expected, but I found the earlier scenes to be just as terrifying. The general tone of the film leaves you unsettled, even when nothing particularly scary is occurring. It is very, very subtle, but no other film has ever had quite such an effect on me.

If you think ghosts are scarier than slasher movies, I would definitely recommend this movie. Unless you hate being scared. In that case, don't ever watch this.

I can take it or leave it

[gk_chesterton-1 · 6/10 · 21 September 2005]

I don't know; it just didn't do much for me. I felt it lingered *far* too long on stuff that neither advanced the plot nor truly built the characters or atmosphere. It's not that I can't handle slower, more suggestive movies. I liked "The Innocents", "The Others", "Ringu"... But this was too slow even for me. I will admit that the ending was pretty chilling, though.

Also, the sequence of ghostly sounds was frightening at first, but was repeated so often -in it's entirety- that it lost much of it's impact.

A lot of people seem to love this movie, so you might as well check it out, but my opinion of it falls on the "mediocre" end of the scale.

It scared me, and still does

[railroadbee · 10/10 · 27 August 2011]

I remember watching this when i was around 15 and it really did scare me, obviously if you watch it in broad daylight with other people talking it will not scare you much, but watch it in the right way and it will.

If your a fan of horror films that don't contain lots of blood and guts (which I like, but they don't scare me in the slightest) then this is for you.

It is the scariest film I've ever seen, the only thing that has come close to it is the stage adaptation of the book which is great.

Now its not perfect, but with th money they had and when it was made its as good as it could have been.

Actually looking forward to the 2012 adaptation, don't think it will be as well done but still looking forward to it.

The Woman in Black

[jsnowdon-1 · 7/10 · 2 November 2006]

Why am I so convinced there's actually another film version of this novel out there somewhere? I saw the film again this year as I am teaching the novel and find the changes in the film annoying - there is no appearance of the little boy in the novel and the ending has been changed. They kill him off in the film but the whole point is that he is haunted by the events at Eel Marsh House for many years but does remarry and eventually put the events behind him. Mr. Bentley is a far more sympathetic character in the novel, the scene in the film where Kipps sets fire to the office is plain daft, and the constant appearance of the toy soldier to signify the presence of the child is genuinely creepy but pointless - Kipps is haunted by the woman seeking revenge, not the child. I am sure I've seen a film which is better and closer to the novel and actually scarier. Have I just imagined this?

Excellent British chiller.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 10/10 · 15 November 2004]

"The Woman in Black" is easily one of the creepiest British ghost stories ever made.A young solicitor,after arriving in a small town to handle a dead client's estate,is haunted by a mysterious woman dressed all in black.The film is loaded with extremely eerie atmosphere and the frights are calculated for and deliver the maximum effect possible.The action keeps the viewer deeply involved and the finale is quite disturbing.The acting is excellent and the tension is almost unbearable at times.So if you want to see a truly creepy horror film give this one a look.I dare anyone to watch "The Woman in Black" alone at night with the lights off.Highly recommended.10 out of 10.

Good but disappointing in some regards, especially if you compare it to the 2012 Hammer version

[Hayden-86055 · 7/10 · 23 August 2021]

I prefer the 2012 remake, I thought this film was too colourful, not dreary and gothic enough, not scary enough, had too much filler and I disliked the ending. Additionally the actual woman in black only turns up a handful of times.

That being said I heavily enjoyed the scenery in places, Edwardian London being portrayed well and the acting held up especially well for a made for television film. I'm not going to pretend its a masterpiece and whilst the story plods along it still works and is fine. Actual shots of the woman in black are minimalistic but work, they work and look just how they should. I think it's a great film just not as good as the 2012 Hammer remake. Perhaps it goes down to the budget but everything from the house, the marshes and the town is just too colourful and is designed better in the remake.

7/10: I don't feel like my time watching this was wasted watching this at all and I can't fault the acting or cinematography, it just didn't go as strong and diving fully into the gothic department as it should have.

Patience & detail

[Coventry · 8/10 · 24 January 2018]

Several horror fanatics active on this website, as well as more acclaimed film critics all over the world, are often referring to "The Woman in Black" as the best and most atmospheric made-for-TV horror/thriller ever accomplished. Well, guess what, they are quite right! Herbert Wise's film, based on the stunning novel by Susan Hill and turned into a screenplay by the phenomenal Nigel Kneale (who also created the original "The Quatermass Experiment"), is an incredibly slow-brooding but hyper-unsettling tale that crawls underneath your skin and haunts your memories forever. The strongest assets of "Woman in Black", apart from the flawless script, are undoubtedly the tour-de-force performance of lead actor Adrian Rawlins, the carefully elected filming locations & set-pieces and the continuously ominous ambiance with only a few (but highly effective) fright-moments. Herbert Wise particularly differentiates his film from the rest with two specific qualities that aren't frequently featuring in the horror genre, namely patience and eye for detail. The patience that Wise demonstrates in building up the tension is praiseworthy, to say the least, and the details can be illustrated via a few examples, like the spooky mansion only being accessible during low tide or the poetic beauty of mysterious woman meandering amidst tombstones. What the film doesn't feature, however, is graphic violence or gory make-up effects, but like only the case in the very best horror movies, you're not missing these. More recently, in 2012, James Watkins ("Eden Lake") directed a cinematic version starring Daniel Radcliffe ("Harry Potter" all grown up) as the tormented solicitor. The large-budgeted interpretation of Hill's novel is also adequate, but for experiencing the most authentic ghost-vibes, I advise to seek out this version as well.

Atmospheric and genuinely scary telefilm developing in a slow pace and tension enough

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 21 March 2022]

Creepy and mysterious terror movie dealing with a young solicitor is assigned by his chief to go to a remote location, at Eel Marsh Island, to deal with an inheritance issue . There he discovers a vengeful ghost , known as The Woman in black. Shortly after, he becomes ensnared into bizarre happenings. Then the lawyer turns the next target for the nasty ghost , as he has to fend off the damned spirit . She never forgives . She never left.

Scary and ghastly film about a haunted mansion located at a mashland , where bizarre and weird events happen. This spine-chiller ghost story packs a dark developing that runs in slow-moving , but it doesn't results to be dull , but entertaining and mysterious. An old-fashioned quiet terror flick with interesting and twisted script by prestigious Nigel Kneale, based on the successful novel by Susan Hill. Main and support cast are pretty well, such as Adam Rawlins , Bernard Hepton, Clare Holman and special appearance by Pauline Moran as creepy and eerie Woman in Black . It had a reboot produced by Hammer Films : "Woman in Black" 2012 by James Watkins with Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, James McTeer, Shawn Dooley. And a sequel "Woman in Black : Angel of Death" 2014 by Tom Harper with Helen McGlory, Phoebe Fox, Jeremy Irvin.

It packs a frightening and sinister musical score by Rachel Portman. As well as evocative conematohraphy by Michael Davis. This motion picture Woman in Black 1989 was professionally directed by Herbert Wise. He was a good TV director making several episodes of known series , such as : The 10th kingdom, Where the heart is , Class act , Ruth Rendell mysteries , American playhouse , Tales of unexpected, Masquerade , Man of straw , Upstairs , downstairs and I Claudius . Rating : 6/10. Acceptable and passable.

Where can I score some?

[wilbrifar · 1/10 · 25 February 2005]

Two things I'd like to know from those folks who find this movie terrifying: What were you on when you watched it, and where can I get some? Honestly, this is one of the lamest "horror" films I've ever suffered through. The film is lacking in anything resembling atmosphere, and I'm not saying that because of its low budget or lack of special effects; I'm no fan of overblown special effects myself. But this movie is simply pedestrian film-making. There's about as much atmosphere here as in your average episode of ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL, which is what this movie most closely resembles on a visual level. It just feels like an overlong TV show, the kind in which you'd expect Nancy Drew and a bunch of her girlfriends to show up and solve the juvenile mystery.

As for the title spirit, I'm sorry, but a woman with pasty makeup and lots of eye shadow glaring at me from a distance isn't exactly the stuff of nightmares for me. And as for that big shock scene that everyone mentions, I laughed aloud. She looked and sounded like Carol Kane doing Grandmama in ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES. I watched the movie with someone who usually jumps out of her seat at anything the least bit spooky, and her reaction throughout the film was, "You heard THIS was scary"?

In short, very young kids who want to experience a harmlessly "scary" movie might get a few giggly shudders from this, but I really can't imagine a grownup being scared unless they have such a pathological fear of ghosts that the mere mention of one sends them into a fit. If you're the average adult reading all these rave reviews, and thinking, "Hmmm... I wonder if it really IS as scary as everyone says"?, trust me: DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME; IT'S NOT.