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DVD Description
Based on the 1978 book Children of Vodyanoi by David Wiltshire, The Nightmare Man was adapted by Robert Holmes and directed by Douglass Camfield - both Doctor Who veterans. First broadcast in 1981, this gripping sci-fi/horror drama tells the tale of a lonely Scottish island stalked by a brutal killer who may be from another world.
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Synopsis
Based on the 1978 book Children of Vodyanoi by David Wiltshire and adapted by veteran Dr Who scribe Robert Holmes, this gripping horror/sci-fi drama tells the tale of a lonely Scottish island stalked by a brutal killer who may be from another world. Dismembered corpses are found and a flickery film of one of the murders seems to show a terrifying, shadowy monster.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
60 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Up until the recent Doctor Who the BBC have treated Science Fiction and horror titles with some contempt (look at the last few series of DR Who, the budget couldn't match the creative content). But back in the eighties they still took it seriously. This, along with Day of the Triffids, is an excellent example of what the BBC was capable of.
Only ever broadcast the once this is a 4 part series. Set on a remote Scottish island a new resident is torn apart shortly after getting of the boat. The fact that she has been torn apart by hands alone leads to some rather unusual conclusions. Is thise a monster or could it be an alien from another world.
This series is well acted and is extremely well done. My only critiscism is that in modern terms the ending is a bit more obvious than I would like, but this is more to do with the period that the series was made (and the book written).
The DVD package is a bit minimal, there are no real extra's to this series. This again is to do with the age of the series and there would probably be no real promotion to this series.
One word of advice, do not read the excellent booklet until after you have watched the DVD as there is a very minor spoiler in it about the ending.
All in all an excellent show.
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I watched The Nightmare man when it went out way back in 1981 (I was 9) and it scared me to death. I only had vague memories of bits and pieces of the actual story, but the oppressive atmosphere and gurgling shrieks of the creature were still razor sharp a few years later. Luckily, I met someone who had taped it from the TV when it screened and he gave me a copy. This was when I was 17 and it still gave me the shivers. It's true that the production values are very 80s and there is some duff dialogue, but Maurice Roeves and especially Jonathan Newth are exemplary. My favourite line is "Have you noticed something - we've all started (calling the killer) 'It' ". I would recommend this serial to anyone, but watch it in the dark and alone...
Alex Durrans (on my wife's email)
30 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
First let me say that I'm reviewing this serial based on the terrified recollections of a 10 year old in 1981 - if my memory has failed me and this DVD turns out to be rubbish I apologise (but I doubt it will!).
THE NIGHTMARE MAN is the last time I recall something on television actually scaring me - By that I mean REALLY, heart-quickening palpatation scary. The plot is simple - Something is brutally murdering the populace of a remote Scottish island that has become cut off from the mainland by fog. Clues arise that point to the 'beast' being of extraterrestrial origin, but it soon emerges that far more is going on that meets the eye. To say more would spoil the surprise - It certainly surprised me originally, but with hindsight I suspect I would have guessed the outcome had I viewed the serial as an adult. Still, the quality performances and atmospheric locations still make this an essential genre piece to own on DVD.
Particularly lodged in my memory are the spooky cliffhangers - Episode 1 ends with the creature bursting into a camper's tent as a camera automatically photographs the murder, and episode 2 sees the staff at an under-seige coast guard station locking all the doors and windows only to discover that they've trapped the creature in with them. The opening title music made my skin crawl and the fleeting glimpses of the monster, whether seen in shadow or captured on still photograph and audio tape (evil, gutteral laughter as it murders the camper) all conspire to make this a definitive horror story to watch on a dark night.
No way would this sort of thing be made today so lap up this DVD and enjoy - I only ever watched it on a black and white portable television so I'm hoping the all-colour presentation doesn't dull the experience. I've been angry with the BBC ever since THE NIGHTMARE MAN was screened, as "Points of View" (then presented by Barry Took) featured nothing but praise for the series from viewers and promised a repeat screening - That repeat never happened, so this release is LONG overdue!
THE NIGHTMARE MAN is the last time I recall something on television actually scaring me - By that I mean REALLY, heart-quickening palpatation scary. The plot is simple - Something is brutally murdering the populace of a remote Scottish island that has become cut off from the mainland by fog. Clues arise that point to the 'beast' being of extraterrestrial origin, but it soon emerges that far more is going on that meets the eye. To say more would spoil the surprise - It certainly surprised me originally, but with hindsight I suspect I would have guessed the outcome had I viewed the serial as an adult. Still, the quality performances and atmospheric locations still make this an essential genre piece to own on DVD.
Particularly lodged in my memory are the spooky cliffhangers - Episode 1 ends with the creature bursting into a camper's tent as a camera automatically photographs the murder, and episode 2 sees the staff at an under-seige coast guard station locking all the doors and windows only to discover that they've trapped the creature in with them. The opening title music made my skin crawl and the fleeting glimpses of the monster, whether seen in shadow or captured on still photograph and audio tape (evil, gutteral laughter as it murders the camper) all conspire to make this a definitive horror story to watch on a dark night.
No way would this sort of thing be made today so lap up this DVD and enjoy - I only ever watched it on a black and white portable television so I'm hoping the all-colour presentation doesn't dull the experience. I've been angry with the BBC ever since THE NIGHTMARE MAN was screened, as "Points of View" (then presented by Barry Took) featured nothing but praise for the series from viewers and promised a repeat screening - That repeat never happened, so this release is LONG overdue!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Nightmare revisited
I remember watching the " Nightmare man" when it was originally transmitted in 1981! Although made to a budget (typical BBC) it worked! Read more
Published 9 months ago by fang2259
Retro thriller!
This particular made-for-TV episodic movie is another proof of the genius that is BBC-creative unit. Read more
Published 11 months ago by RIJU GANGULY
Truly a Nightmare
Shame on you--Amazon reviewers, and a few on IMDB as well, who persuaded me to buy this low-priced DVD by posting positive reviews of The Nightmare Man. Read more
Published on 15 April 2010 by David N. Lee
Showing it's age
I watched this serial when it was first aired. To be honest I could not remember too much about it other than a couple of the scenes. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2009 by Natatores
early 80s sci-fi
Brought back memories of spooky scifi goings on. Well worth a watch and im sure I'll watch it again and again. Only downside was a slighty disappointing last episode
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by D. Perry
Top class horror
This is a BBC adaptation of he 1978 book Child of the Vodayanoi by David Wiltshire retitled The Nightmare Man , rather aptly retitled as I can remember watching it aged 12 when it... Read more
Published on 11 July 2009 by S. Linkson
Atmospheric sci-fi in the Quatermass vein
I purchased this DVD purely on the strength of the other reviews and, am glad to report, have not been disappointed! Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2008 by Cartimand
Atmospheric Sci Fi
I first saw this in 1981 at the age of 13 and as it was never repeated i had to wait until 2005 at the age of 36 to see it again. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2008 by Adam Jackson
the nightmare man
When I saw this at The NFT a couple of years ago, I had High expectations. Since it was never repeated on telly, that was quickly dashed. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2006 by nial
Never go back
Great story, good acting and I'm glad that Celia Imrie survived the killer to play Philippa in Dinnerladies, but the parsimonious 1970s BBC production values really show up here. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2005 by Czech film fan
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