Main Cast: Sheelagh Gilbey, Nini Pitt, Evie Garratt, Alan Hay, Jo Scott Matthews
Release Year: 1980
Country: US
Run Time: 98 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
This slow-paced but impeccably stylish ghost story, set at the turn of the century, centers on the plight of elderly dowager Marianna (Sheelagh Gilbey), who is tormented nightly by the alleged specter of a young man roaming the corridors of her decrepit estate. After spotting a face in an old photograph that seems to match the old woman's description of the ethereal visitor, Marianna's sister (Nina Pitt) decides to undertake a bit of amateur ghost-hunting in the hope of revealing the haunting as a hoax. This Scotland-made sleeper from director Anna Thomas is somewhat reminiscent of The Innocents -- itself based on Henry James's "The Turn of the Screw" -- and boasts an excellent classical music score which perfectly complements the proceedings. Though the plot may be a bit too leisurely for more thrill-oriented tastes, The Haunting of M is an involving and intellectual mystery for the Masterpiece Theatre set. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
Cast
Sheelagh Gilbey - Marianna
Nini Pitt - Halina
Evie Garratt - Daria
Alan Hay - Karol
Jo Scott Matthews - Aunt Teresa
William Bryant - Marion; Peter Austin - Stefan; Peter Stenson - Doctor; Ernest Bale - Stahu; Isolde Cazelet - Yola; Varvara Pepper - Irka; Gwen Williams - Cousin Julia
Credit
Gregory Nava - Associate Producer, Anna Thomas - Director, Anna Thomas - Editor, Robert Trevor Black - Editor, Michael Bockman - Editor, Colin Wyllie - Composer (Music Score), Gregory Nava - Cinematographer, Anna Thomas - Producer, Anna Thomas - Screenwriter, Colin Wyllie - Screenwriter, Fryderyc Chopin - Featured Music, Leos Janácek - Featured Music, Gustav Mahler - Featured Music
