Review: The Woman in Black (1989)

I have a theory that's proven every week, and that's that the best horror movies, with a few exceptions, aren't made in America. Sure, a few scary indie films of note will seep through the cracks every decade or so ("The Blair Witch Project", "Paranormal Activity"), but Hollywood is unfortunately content with mass-marketing the same horror movie retreads and remakes to any idiot willing to pay ten dollars per ticket to see them (of which, there are millions). For every movie Hollywood bastardizes by remaking, there is an original that is not only infinitely scarier, but infinitely not American-made ("The Ring", "The Grudge", "REC", "Black Christmas").

"The Woman in Black", a horror film made for British television in 1989, further proves this theory. It is noted mainly for one jump scare, which has been called one of the scariest reveal shots in horror movie history. It almost seems like you can't bring up the movie among people who have seen it, without hearing about "the scene". I will admit it was this aspect of the movie that intrigued me (what could possibly be so scary?), but it's certainly not the only thing this film has to offer. In fact, I would put "The Woman in Black" up there with "The Changeling" as one of the finest examples of haunted house horror ever made. And yet it manages to do this without many of the clichés of that horror subgenre. I never thought I'd witness a ghost story in which a door doesn't randomly shut with no explanation, but now I can say I have.

The story, which is based on a novel by Susan Hill, is rather simple: Adrian Rawlins plays Arthur Kidd, a lawyer for a prestigious law firm who is sent to the town of Crythin to settle the estate of a lonely old woman that recently died. According to the rules set forth by his boss, he is to spend a week or two there getting all her necessary paperwork in order, then sell the house. But of course, it's not going to be that easy, or we'd have one hell of a boring horror film.

Red flags are raised rather instantly upon entering Crythin: He can't seem to find anyone to go with him to the estate. Furthermore, the townspeople are reluctant to even mention the house. But perhaps the reddest flag of all: He keeps seeing a woman dressed in black, that others refuse to even look at or acknowledge. I should mention that all this is even before he sets foot in the woman's creepy house, which is secluded by marshes that block the only path in when the tide is high...

As I've dwelled upon earlier, "The Woman in Black" succeeds largely due to its chilling atmosphere. I can't remember the last movie where I spent probably three-quarters of the movie with my palm's sweating and my heart racing. Part of it, I will admit, was in anticipation of the film's most famous jump scare, but most of it was just the great sense of loneliness and dread that was imbued throughout almost every scene, and that's including scenes where the absolutely chilling titular character is nowhere to be found. The ending is also brilliant, even though I probably should have seen it coming, but I admittedly didn't. As for the "famous" scare, I won't reveal what happens, but I will say this: I knew when it was coming, I even predicted what was going to happen, and I STILL flew out of my seat. That is the mark of a truly great horror film.

All-in-all, "The Woman in Black" is so much more than the hype would have you believe. It is not a film that relies on one scene to scare the audience, as may be indicated by the film's much-discussed jump scare, but it filled with such an overall chilling atmosphere that I would easily call it one of the scariest films ever made. Unfortunately, it can be rather hard to track down, as both the VHS and DVD versions are out of print, but if you can find yourself a copy I urge you to pick it up. You certainly won't be disappointed.

NOTE: I am rather disappointed to learn that the rights to this film are reportedly owned by Universal. Not only does this mean that it will probably never air on television again in its native land, nor will it probably ever be released to DVD, but it's also a good bet that it will be another in a long line of abysmal American remakes. Do yourself a favor and savor it now before Hollywood ruins yet another great film.

Rating: * * * 1/2