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Casting The Runes


RRP: £9.99
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Editorial
Synopsis

Includes M.R. James' CASTING THE RUNES, MR HUMPHREYS AND HIS INHERITANCE, and the biopic A PLEASANT TERROR.


Great Story - Poor Version
Review date: 2008-07-31 Rating: 4 out of 10

Casting the Runes is one of the best stories of possibly the greatest Ghost Story writer, MR James. Filmed moderately successfully in the 50s as Night of the Demon, here we have another modernised version of a true classic story.

Unfortunately its just not a very good one. Iain Cuthbertson, a fine actor, is given almost nothing to do, apart from a risible scene where is disembodied laughing head is superimposed on a globe.

Elsewhere the acting is adequate but the story is needlessly changed and unfortunately usually in a poorly realised direction such as the bedroom haunting sequence.

All in all an ill advised adaptation of a story that deserved better.


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Reviews


Disappointing in the extreme
Review date: 2008-06-20 Rating: 2 out of 10

M R James' ghost stories are unbeatable; I love this genre. However, this adaptation is very disappointing. It may be partly a victim of its age, as it is very "1970s", but some good actors are used very badly and like another unhappy reviewer, I turned if off before the end. The additional material is more interesting, but not worth buying the DVD.

Time has not been kind to this story
Review date: 2008-06-06 Rating: 4 out of 10

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!!!

Look Out!
Review date: 2008-03-28 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a superb DVD. The main story, Casting The Runes, is an adaptation of the (same name) story by M.R. James, adapted by Yorkshire Television in 1979, I believe. An earlier version of the tale was made for the big screen in B&W in 1957: Night of the Demon, later cut by 13 mins and retitled Curse of the Demon for the American market. The 1979 version is shot in the (then, prior to global warming lol!) snowbound winter landscapes of Northern England and keeps the attention throughout what is a quite Spartan or sparse production. Stylish.

This DVD also contains two other items, both interesting: Mr. Humphreys And His Inheritance comes first and was, apparently, made to teach schoolchildren about the use of music in filmed drama, though it is my bet that few would remember to listen out while watching this well-scripted, tight little gem from about 1972.

The last item was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be: a biography, made in 1995 and lasting about an hour, about M.R. James: a Cambridge don who became Provost of Eton College after WW1 and who wrote ghost stories and tales of the occult ostensibly to amuse friends, but (it is averred) really because he believed in the supernatural but was unwilling to publicly acknowledge that belief. Really gripping in its treatment and in its detective work. A biography of this quality would (probably could) not be made by the kind of TV companies and personnel around today, as standards continue to slide, or is that too cynical?

Buy this.

Look Elsewhere If You Want To Be Scared
Review date: 2007-12-29 Rating: 2 out of 10

I have racked my brains to come up with words to fit this DVD. I can only come up with one word - dire! There is no tension, no suspense, no atmosphere, no terror, the acting is extremely wooden and the interior sets look like an am dram production. At no time does the "heroine" appear to be truly upset, terrified and frantic about the situation she finds herself in.

I know it was made in the 1970's by Yorkshire Television so some allowance must be made for the passing of years. However, this is not an excuse for turning a tale of terror into something you could show a five year old. I only enjoyed the scenes in the snow because it is such a rarity nowadays to see snow in the South East of England.

Take my advice, do not waste your money. If you want to see Casting The Runes at its very best, then get Night Of The Demon starring Dana Andrews. It is the same story but told how it should be told. In fact it is a movie classic. Filmed in black and white, full of atmosphere, full of suspense as to whether the hero can save himself before time runs out. The villain, Carswell in this version is very sinister indeed and the runes are cast to a man, Dana Andrews and not a woman. It is edge of your seat stuff. A superb production.

I knew how the story ended and to be honest I was so bored with waiting for any excitement or tension to commence that I turned it off before the end. There is no way I could or would recommend this t.v. production to anyone.

Like I said above, do yourself a real favour and purchase Night Of The Demon instead.


Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Edward Petherbridge
Iain Cuthbertson
Jan Francis

Creators:
Edward Petherbridge (Primary Contributor)
Jan Francis (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Network
Manufacturer: Network
EAN: 5027626276546
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-08-27
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 50 minutes
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)

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