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Live British Ghost Hunting Show ‘Ghostwatch’ Caused Mass Hysteria in ‘92: And Now You Can Watch It

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Warning: the following article contains spoilers about the film Ghostwatch. Read no further if you don’t want to know about major plot details. You can watch on Shudder then come back. 

The year was 1992, the month October; Halloween night actually, and United States horror fans were watching Candyman at the theater while Britain sat in front of their television sets to witness one of the most terrifying live broadcasts in BBC history.

The show was called Ghostwatch, and if you wanted to compare it to anything from today, I would say it looks like a cross between Ghost Adventures and 60 minutes, only much scarier.

The program was a live broadcast from the most haunted house in England located in Northolt, and featured a remote reporter, camera crew and other hosts as they interviewed the family who lived in the house and tried to capture all the alleged paranormal activity terrorizing the single mother and her two young daughters.

Imagine Zak Bagans, his vans and crew in a quiet  U.K. neighborhood.

Meanwhile back in the studio, host Michael Parkinson and parapsychologist Dr. Lin Pascoe talk about what they were seeing while another reporter mans the telephone lines answering any questions viewers may have about the house, the people in it or whatever was being captured as it happens.

It turns out this broadcast would capture the most compelling poltergeist evidence in history, proving that supernatural forces and possessions do exist.

Based on those images and the actions of the crew, people from all over the country panicked, called BBC in mass hysteria, jamming the network’s phone lines in utter fear.

Only Ghostwatch was all a hoax. Sort of. Accidentally.

Ghostwatch was a mockumentary, it wasn’t filmed live even though it appeared to be. The segments between studio host and the haunted house crew were filmed separately, the studio performers reacting to taped footage not a live feed. The whole thing was then edited seamlessly.

People who tuned in late to Ghostwatch missed the Screen One intro; a popular anthology drama series that ran each week back then, vewers fell for what they were seeing on “live” TV, hook, line and sinker. The BBC never ran a disclaimer after the program saying it was all fake. That’s some Orson Wells stuff.

Besides being so convincing as a live broadcast, Ghostwatch also happens to be one of the most terrifying films under the “found footage” moniker of today. The Blair Witch Project wouldn’t trick U.S. audiences the same way for another seven years.

What made Ghostwatch so scary was the actual ghost “Pipes,” a name the children give to him because of the noises he makes.

As cameramen in the house pan back and forth, glimpses of the ghost can be seen subliminally.

If you blink you will miss them, but if you see him it can be quite a shock. Do yourself a favor don’t rewind anything until the movie is over: it’s fun too see how many times you can spot Pipes on the first go.

It has become legendary to try and figure out how many times Pipes appears, the most popular guess is 13.

He is an androgynous ghost, the spirit of a man possessed by a woman who used to drown children on the property years ago. He’s bald and wears a dress just to give you clue on what to look out for.

You may find similarities between Ghostwatch and The Conjuring 2, that’s because the story was based on the notorious Enfield ghost, the same one depicted in that sequel.

The movie ends with a special effects twist that seems ridiculous on the surface, but think about it a little bit and the whole thing will chill you to the bone.

Ghostwatch was so effective in its perceived legitimacy it caused viewers some physiological problems too.

Deaths were reported after its broadcast, some so convinced that the show proved the existence of the afterlife that they took their own lives in order to be with loved ones. One couple even went to court claiming their son had been “hypnotised and obsessed” during the broadcast before taking his own life.

The Broadcasting Standards Commission (BSC) agreed with the grieving family saying the BBC should have taken extra steps to notify viewers what they were watching wasn’t real and that it was excessively distressing and graphic.

Kids were allegedly affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, namely those between the ages of 10 and 14. But the British Medical Journal dismissed those claims as “brief anxiety” after the children quickly recovered.

The Ghostwatch phenomenon generated a real documentary, a retrospective of the film and its affects called Ghostwatch: Behind the Curtains. 

The movie hasn’t been readily available since its first broadcast in 1992, but if you have the streaming service Shudder, you can watch it there.

Creating a movie that terrorized an entire country is not an easy task, so I suggest you view it for yourself to understand exactly how it did. It’s creepy, has a huge rewindability factor and an ending so epic you may have wondered why it’s eluded you for so long.

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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