The Woman in Black (1989)
They say that “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Well until recently the 1989 UK television adaptation of Susan Hill’s ghost story, The Woman in Black has been conspicuously unavailable. There was a limited VHS release exclusive to the store WHSmith in 1990. This was followed by a Region 1 DVD release in 2000 which was a relatively small pressing of the media. Since then rights issues have dogged this TV movie, turning it into a genre classic among horror fans, which has often been discussed in hushed tones by those who saw the original TV broadcast and were left traumatised by “that scene”. However, Network Distribution have finally released a remastered Blu-ray (and DVD), complete with commentary from such luminaries as Mark Gatiss, Kim Newman and Andy Nyman (who appears in this adaptation). It can be viewed in a reframed 16:9 widescreen format or in its original 4:3 aspect ratio.
The Stone Tape (1972)
The Stone Tape is a television play directed by Peter Sasdy and starring Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Michael Bates and Iain Cuthbertson. It was first broadcast on BBC Two at Christmas 1972. Combining aspects of science fiction and horror, the story concerns a team of research scientists who move into their new facility, a renovated Victorian mansion that is allegedly haunted. Upon investigation, they learn that the haunting is a recording of a past event held within the very fabric of the structure. Believing that this may be the key to the development of a new recording medium, they throw all their expertise technology into learning how the stones preserves its recording. However, their investigations lead to more sinister and tragic events.