The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black terrified viewers in 1989 and is remembered as one of Britain’s scariest horror films. It is justly famous as the combined work of three giants of British drama: Susan Hill, Nigel Kneale and Herbert Wise. This book is the first to study the rich themes and terrifying impact of this film, presenting it as a TV film that is cinematic in its effect and quality.

The book traces the adaptation of Susan Hill’s novel, paying close attention to the ways in which the celebrated writer Nigel Kneale turned a best-selling book into a spooky film, and reconstructs the brilliance of veteran director Herbert Wise. It also explores themes ranging from maternal rage and imperial disquiet to eerie soundscapes and landscapes. Archival papers from the Nigel Kneale Archive on the Isle of Man are used to reveal how Kneale transformed the novel into the script, and interviews with production personnel shed light on the remarkable talent and experience of the team who produced this classic film.