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United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Mono ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Documentary, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Includes M.R. James CASTING THE RUNES MR HUMPHREYS AND HIS INHERITANCE and the biopic A PLEASANT TERROR. ...Casting the Runes ( M.R. James: Casting the Runes )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
90 of 101 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
M R James classic ghost story Casting The Runes was made in the late 1970's by Yorkshire television. The story has a 70's feel about it and some of the changes from location to studio look rather obvious but that just adds to the charm. This is a pritty scary programme for its time (helped by the earie music score) and has an excellent cast including Jan Francis, David Calder (Star Cops) and Edward Petherbridge (Strong Poison). I won't ruin the polt for you by giving a detailed synopsis but if your a fan of M R James you know what a treat you have in store. Casting The Runes is very similar to the BBC Ghost Story For Christmas adaptions which were also made in the 70's and also adapted several M R James stories (when are we going to get more of them released on dvd).
Also included in the dvd are two further M R James programmes. First up is Mr Humphreys And His Inheritance which was shown in 1976 as part of the ITV schools programme on music in drama. This is a real bonus as it is a very rare piece of tv history and again has some jumpy bits in it. Finally we are treated to A Pleasant Terror which is a facinating biopic on the life of M R James presented by Bill Wallis. A Pleasent Terror has been edited as some of the clips are copyrighted material (I seem to remember that alot of the clips were from the various Ghost Story For Christmas adaptions).
So once again Network have pulled out all the stops and released another piece of tv heaven at a very reasonable price too. The prints may be a little grainy in places but for their age look pritty good. If, like me, you love the old 70's ghost stories what were made for tv then this dvd is for you
Also included in the dvd are two further M R James programmes. First up is Mr Humphreys And His Inheritance which was shown in 1976 as part of the ITV schools programme on music in drama. This is a real bonus as it is a very rare piece of tv history and again has some jumpy bits in it. Finally we are treated to A Pleasant Terror which is a facinating biopic on the life of M R James presented by Bill Wallis. A Pleasent Terror has been edited as some of the clips are copyrighted material (I seem to remember that alot of the clips were from the various Ghost Story For Christmas adaptions).
So once again Network have pulled out all the stops and released another piece of tv heaven at a very reasonable price too. The prints may be a little grainy in places but for their age look pritty good. If, like me, you love the old 70's ghost stories what were made for tv then this dvd is for you
59 of 69 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have had this on nth generation VHS for years, and, despite a somewhat obvious ending, this is a real classic. Filmed in the winter of 1978 by Yorkshire TV (and therefore presumably in the Yorkshire region), it stars a gorgeous Jan Francis and post-Budgie Iain Cuthberson, and eerie music (de rigeur at that time period). Only a short item, this is a steal at the price and will probably be best enjoyed during winter months with a cheeky glass of red wine.
28 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I first saw this back in '79 and possibly because I was a lot younger then, I thought it was great. Having watched it again, it does come across as rather weak, particularly when comparing it to the old black and white classic "Night of the Demon". In the next paragraph there are going to be a couple of spoilers, so for those of you who haven't seen it and wish to, please skip the next paragraph.
For one thing, I couldn't understand why Carswell had to be 'American'. In the original film he certainly wasn't and I've heard various stories that his character was based on Aleister Crowley, who, strangely enough was ..... English!!!! Iain Cuthbertson is a great actor but why he was forced to put on an American accent is beyond me. The other thing I found quite ridiculous was the huge spider in the 'victim's' bed. Again, referring back to the old black and white film, the experiences that the victim had were more 'suggestive' rather than obvious. The final thing that I found a total contradiction - when Carswell goes to the desk at the airport terminal he has no idea that his victim takes the place of one of the other assistants. He knew well in advance about her coming to his house (as his housekeeper announced "Mr Carswell has been expecting you", but had no idea she would be at the airport. Surely an inconsistency here?
I think the whole plot, and again I apologise for making constant comparisons between this version and the original "Night of the Demon" film, was weak and didn't keep you gripped in suspense. There's a lot to be said for these old black and white classics - if I had to make a choice between seeing this version again and "NOTD", I know which one I'd opt for! Good old Dana Andrews - you show 'em how it should be done!!!
For one thing, I couldn't understand why Carswell had to be 'American'. In the original film he certainly wasn't and I've heard various stories that his character was based on Aleister Crowley, who, strangely enough was ..... English!!!! Iain Cuthbertson is a great actor but why he was forced to put on an American accent is beyond me. The other thing I found quite ridiculous was the huge spider in the 'victim's' bed. Again, referring back to the old black and white film, the experiences that the victim had were more 'suggestive' rather than obvious. The final thing that I found a total contradiction - when Carswell goes to the desk at the airport terminal he has no idea that his victim takes the place of one of the other assistants. He knew well in advance about her coming to his house (as his housekeeper announced "Mr Carswell has been expecting you", but had no idea she would be at the airport. Surely an inconsistency here?
I think the whole plot, and again I apologise for making constant comparisons between this version and the original "Night of the Demon" film, was weak and didn't keep you gripped in suspense. There's a lot to be said for these old black and white classics - if I had to make a choice between seeing this version again and "NOTD", I know which one I'd opt for! Good old Dana Andrews - you show 'em how it should be done!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Really interesting adaptation
I am a sucker for the MR James Ghost Stories that the BBC did with such exemplary skill in the seventies so approached this with some trepidation. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Manterik
Modern MR James Retelling
The 70s was a very special time for British television, the audience still being open enough to appreciate slow, tenseful plotlines with little or no gore. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bored of Folk
No, it's not 'Night of the Demon', but it's still enjoyable.
Broadcast in April 1979, and filmed in the winter of 1978, this adaptation makes good use of snowy locations in Leeds and the surrounding area. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Alister
dvd casting the runes
Thank you, the service was exellent.and it arrived before the expected date, the quality of the d v d was good as it was an old film to start with, but with your efforts, i... Read more
Published 8 months ago by chops
An OK adaption of an old classic
Any adaption or reworking of M.R. James' classic horror story will always have to face the inevitable comparisons to the actual story or Jacques Tourneur's superbly atmospheric... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Alan James
Superb package
This adaptation of the M.R. James classic ghost story dates from 1979 and was made as a contemporary drama rather than a period one like the earlier BBC M.R. James adaptations. Read more
Published 9 months ago by downkiddie
Why change it?
If there is anyone out there about to adapt, interpret, bring up-to-date or otherwise mutilate, a classic of fiction please think twice. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mike Heron
Poor update of a classic M R James story
As a piece of throw away tv for the late seventies this version of the Classic MR James story is fair enough, but it fails in production values and suspense. Read more
Published 19 months ago by William R Clarke
A particularly Excellent terminal extra
I can understand the scathing and milder critism of this dvd but for me the relatively lengthy extra,the final documentary piece A Pleasant Terror,justifies it if you are a James... Read more
Published on 3 May 2010 by Ken Raus
never arrived
This dvd never arrived .post office tried to deliver it to the wrong address and am now told has gone back to sorting office in Belfats as unclained post! Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Mr. Martin Tatek
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