hyped garbage

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

The Signalman is an adaptation of a Charles Dickens short story. I watched this several times over the years, the first time I was still a kid.It has an eerie haunting presence mainly because the way it was shot and lit. It is enveloped with atmosphere and great acting from both its stars, Denholm Elliot and Bernard Lloyd.Set presumably in the 19th century, Elliott plays a signalman haunted by a spectre which seems to warn him of some impending doom. The traveller (Lloyd) staying in a nearby inn tries to give him a rational explanation to it but unsure whether the signalman was one step away from insanity.It is a simple ghost story that spooks you out because it was wonderfully directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

I hadn't realised just how good this show was until it dawned on me that despite not having seen it for years I could still get goosebumps when I was telling people about how it was usually shown around Christmas when I was growing up in England.Recounting the story wasn't nearly as atmospheric as the show. I wish they would show it on BBC America sometime.The show is a flashback to a time when rail travel was at it's heyday and is set in a signal box close to the mouth of a tunnel. The suspense is incredible and the whole show is filmed immaculately. The mood, the setting and the suspense are all top notch. I believe this to be one of the best shows the BBC ever filmed. At judging by the fact that it is being shown again some 29 years after its first showing stands as a testament for its ability to stand the test of time and thrill a whole new generation.

"Please, my friend, you must compose yourself!" Indeed he must, for Denholm Elliot is in full over-acting mode. There is more steam emitting from his ears than blowing forth from the train. He is acting like there's no tomorrow, which, heh, heh, may or may not be the case.This is one of the Ghost Story For Christmas series I missed as a kid. The shrouded figure, either a monk or grim reaper is a familiar motif throughout its run, and shows up here to do some arm waving.As this is a two hander, you know one of the protagonists is soon to be pushing up the daisies. Guessing which and how is perhaps the only modest interest this dated entry will allow.

In the days when television could do this sort of thing...there has never to me been a more perfect adaptation of a ghost story. The location is spot-on, the performances beautifully polite but tense, and the atmosphere has to be experienced to be believed. Lawrence Gordon Clark, as with all the MR James adaptations, stays loyal to the notion of showing a little not a lot, and it works a treat. At forty minutes, it never outstays its welcome,and some of the camera work and individuals shots (eg Denholm Elliott standing at the mouth of the tunnel as smoke billows out behind him after the collision) and the night shot of the traveller returning to the inn are remarkable. Incomparable, and I am positive Dickens would approve.