This film is highly atmospheric, with portrait-like cinematography that truly captures the English country manor farm. The tale is refreshingly haunting - it succeeds in leaving one with a sense of hope and redemption without giving way to sentimentality. All the characters are memorable, from the wry doctor to the slightly addled but insightful housekeeper-niece. The intelligent compassion of the boarder and the bitter agony of the pregnant wife are set in stark contrast. Having seen all six in the 'Shades of Darkness' series which has now been released as a collection on DVD, this one stands out as a subtly told story of human vulnerability and longing.
2 Reviews
A superior, scary ghost story with dark undertones
Marta6 August 2005
Based on a story by the wonderful May Sinclair, "The Intercessor" was shown originally on PBS' Mystery! series in 1984, under the Shades of Darkness series name (which is still owned by Granada Television), this neglected gem and the 6 other shows in the series have not been shown since, which is truly a shame. They are excellent adaptations of high quality ghost stories and deserve to be shown again. Contact Granada and ask them to release the series to DVD. Update: The Shades of Darkness series is on DVD as of 2010!
"The Intercessor" is the story of an author who goes to the country to get some peace and quiet, so he can do some writing. He takes a room at a local farm and soon becomes enmeshed in the dark secret the silent farmer and his bitter, much-older pregnant wife have hanging over them. He is astonished to catch site of a small child ghost, playing in the garden outside. After this, events escalate and the author begins to think he's losing his mind, as the ghost appears to be communicating with him. He goes to the local doctor for answers, who only deepens the mystery.
This is a superior ghost story that has adult overtones and is not for the faint-hearted. It is extremely scary and done so well it reminds me of "The Woman in Black," which it can match chill for chill.
"The Intercessor" is the story of an author who goes to the country to get some peace and quiet, so he can do some writing. He takes a room at a local farm and soon becomes enmeshed in the dark secret the silent farmer and his bitter, much-older pregnant wife have hanging over them. He is astonished to catch site of a small child ghost, playing in the garden outside. After this, events escalate and the author begins to think he's losing his mind, as the ghost appears to be communicating with him. He goes to the local doctor for answers, who only deepens the mystery.
This is a superior ghost story that has adult overtones and is not for the faint-hearted. It is extremely scary and done so well it reminds me of "The Woman in Black," which it can match chill for chill.
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