Ghostwatch (1992)
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A live television broadcast investigating a haunted house spirals into a terrifying nationwide paranormal event.
The story
Ghostwatch is presented as a live broadcast hosted by Michael Parkinson, aiming to provide concrete evidence of paranormal phenomena. The program launches an on-air investigation into a house on the fictional Foxhill Drive, Northolt, where a family is being tormented by a poltergeist known as 'Pipes.' Supported by hosts Sarah Greene, Mike Smith, and comedian Craig Charles, the investigation involves interviewing locals and monitoring the house. While the broadcast initially appears to be a standard investigation, supernatural phenomena begin to occur, leading to a tense atmosphere as the team attempts to document the escalating activity.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Presented as a live broadcast, the show investigates a house in Northolt where the Early family is haunted by 'Pipes,' a poltergeist associated with knocking noises. Hosts Sarah Greene, Mike Smith, and Craig Charles join the investigation, with Greene entering the house and Charles interviewing locals about the street's violent history. Dr. Lin Pascoe, a parapsychologist, joins in the studio. As the broadcast progresses, supernatural events escalate: Suzanne develops scratches on her face and speaks in an unearthly voice. Callers report seeing Pipes on the footage and experiencing paranormal events in their own homes. The investigation reveals a dark history involving a Victorian baby farmer and a disturbed man who hanged himself in the house. The situation turns dire when Suzanne disappears; the camera crew finds the house seemingly normal, but Pascoe realizes Pipes has created a nationwide séance circle. The broadcast resumes as Greene is dragged into an under-stairs cupboard. The film ends with inexplicable activity in the TV studio, causing everyone to flee except Michael Parkinson, who shows signs of being possessed by Pipes.
- First release year
- 1992
- Runtime (minutes)
- 91
- Production countries
- United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Lesley Manning
- Writers
- Stephen Volk · writer; Stephen Volk · writer
- Cast and characters
- Michael Parkinson · host; Sarah Greene · host; Mike Smith · husband; Craig Charles · comedian; Gillian Bevan · Dr. Lin Pascoe; Brid Brennan · Pamela Early; Michelle Wesson · Suzanne; Cherise Wesson · Kim
- Genres
- Supernatural horror; pseudo-documentary
- Themes
- Paranormal investigation; Media influence; Urban legends
- Tone and mood
- Supernatural; Tense; Distressing
- Premise and plot tags
- Mockumentary; Found footage style; Live broadcast
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Enfield Poltergeist
- Reception
- The film received a positive response from both fans and critics, though it caused significant controversy and distress among viewers due to its realistic presentation.
- Reported review scores
- SFX · score: 4/5; Starburst · score: 8/10
- Production trivia
- The film was originally conceived as a six-part drama.; The phone number shown for callers was the standard BBC call-in number at the time.; Director Lesley Manning provided the voice of Pipes because the hired voice artist could not replicate the intended style.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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