Yes, it’s Halloween! So to celebrate this spooky occasion we decided to watch this early-90s BBC ‘event’.
Ghostwatch was a controversial British horror-mockumentary broadcast on BBC One on October 31 1992. Although never repeated in Britain it was shown by the Canadian digital channel SCREAM on Halloween 2004 and several subsequent occasions.
Originally conceived by writer Stephen Volk as a six-part drama in which a fictional paranormal investigator and a TV reporter investigate poltergeist activity at a North London housing estate, gradually discovering more elements of the mystery each week. This would have culminated in the final episode in a live TV broadcast from the property. However, when producer Ruth Baumgarten doubted the viability of an entire mini-series and recommended instead a 90-minute TV special, Volk suggested that they “do the whole thing like Episode Six”, portraying it as an actual “live” broadcast fronted by well-known TV personalities.
The BBC, however, became concerned over the effect the broadcast would have on the public and very nearly pulled the show shortly before broadcast. Ultimately they insisted on adding opening credits including the writer’s name, in addition to a Screen One title sequence.
You can download the episode direct by clicking here.
We’re back in two weeks with our next Doctor Who show, The Space Museum.
Here’s a clip of the last few minutes. DON’T watch it if you’re going to try and get hold of a copy…
Trick or treat!
