Ghost Stories - Volume 3 ( Lost Hearts / The Treasure of Abbot Thomas / The Ash Tree ) ( Ghost Story for Christmas )

Ghost Stories - Volume 3 (DVD) (*)

$39.99

Original Title: Lost Hearts / The Treasure of Abbot Thomas / The Ash Tree
Alternate Title: Ghost Story for Christmas
Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
104 min + 30 min extras

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Booklet

Movie filmed in 1973 - 1975 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Lawrence Gordon Clark

Written By:
Robin Chapman
M.R. James
John Bowen
David Rudkin

Actors:
Simon Gipps-Kent ..... Stephen
Joseph O'Conor ..... Mr. Abney
James Mellor ..... Parkes
Susan Richards ..... Mrs. Bunch
Christopher Davis ..... Boy
Michelle Foster ..... Girl
Roger Milner ..... Vicar
Michael Bryant ..... The Rev. Justin Somerton
Peggy Aitchison ..... Landlady
Virginia Balfour ..... Lady Dattering
Anne Blake ..... Local Lady
Sheila Dunn ..... Mrs. Tyson
John Herrington ..... Abbot Thomas
Paul Lavers ..... Peter, Lord Dattering
Frank Mills ..... Mr. Tyson / Father Dominic
Edward Petherbridge ..... Sir Richard / Sir Matthew
Preston Lockwood ..... Dr. Croome
Barbara Ewing ..... Anne Mothersole
Lalla Ward ..... Lady Augusta
Lucy Griffiths ..... Mrs. Chiddock
Oliver Maguire ..... William Beresford
Clifford Kershaw ..... The Witchfinder
Cyril Appleton ..... Master Procathro
David Pugh ..... Herdsman
Glynn Sweet ..... Young Cleric

Synopsis:

As a Christmas treat in the late 1960s and 70s, the BBC produced adaptations of ghost stories based on the works of MR James, the Cambridge academic and author of some of the most spine-tingling tales in the English language, which were broadcast to terrified viewers in the dead of winter. This was a tradition that was briefly revived by the BBC between 2007 and 2010.
These adaptations, which have a subtlety and style all of their own, have been a major influence on many contemporary British horror filmmakers and have come to be some of the most sought after British TV titles of all time by their legions of eager fans. Volume three in the BFI's BBC Ghost Stories features the DVD premiere of three M.R. James stories directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark: 1973's Lost Hearts, 1974's The Treasure of Abbot Thomas and 1975's The Ash Tree.

Lost Hearts (1973)
A ghost story by M.R. James, found in his 1904 book Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. The tale tells the story of Stephen, a young boy who is sent to stay with his cousin at a remote country mansion. His cousin is a reclusive alchemist obsessed with making himself immortal. Stephen is repeatedly troubled by visions of two gypsy children with their hearts missing. It was adapted by Robin Chapman in 1973 as part the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas strand, directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. The shortest of the adaptations, it was first broadcast on Christmas Day 1973. It starred Simon Gipps-Kent as Stephen and Joseph O'Conor as the uncle. The adaptation is noted for the distinctive hurdy-gurdy music that accompanies appearances of the two ghostly children. Ralph Vaughan Williams's English Folk Song Suite is also featured.

The Treasure of Abbot Thomas (1974)
A ghost story by M.R. James, found in his book Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. The original tale tells the story of Rev. Justin Somerton, a scholar of medieval history, who tells a rector the tale of how, while searching an abbey library he had stumbled across clues leading him the hidden treasure of a disgraced abbot. In 1974, the story was adapted as part the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas strand by John Bowen. It was first broadcast on 23 December 1974 at 11.35. The adaptation stars Michael Bryant as Somerton, and it was directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. In creating his adaptation, Bowen changed a number of elements of M.R. James's story, such as including another character, Lord Peter Dattering (Paul Lavers) as Somerton's protégé, with whom he shares his investigation. The story is not told in flashback, and also includes a scene in which Somerton exposes two fraudulent mediums, which acts as a demonstration of Somerton's rational approach to the supernatural.

The Ash Tree (1975)
A ghost story by M.R. James, found in his 1904 collection Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. The tale documents the tale of Sir Richard Castringham, who has just inherited a country seat with an unfortunate history. The house has been cursed since the day his ancestor, Sir Matthew, condemned a woman to death for witchcraft. It is soon discovered that the ancient ash tree outside his bedroom window is the root of the problem. It was adapted in 1975 by David Rudkin as "The Ash Tree" and part the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas strand. It was first broadcast on 23 December 1975. The adaptation stars Edward Petherbridge as Somerton, and it was directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 14 October, 2012.

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