For fans of ghost stories it’s always nice when a truly excellent story receives a worthy adaptation. The TV series I’m looking at today is The Secret of Crickley Hall which is based on the novel of the same name by the great James Herbert.
Did this BBC TV series do it justice? Let’s find out here’s my The Secret of Crickley Hall DVD Review.
- The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006)
- Television: Supernatural / Ghost Story
- TV Mini-series 3 Episodes Total 175 Mins
- UK Rating 15
- Discs: 1
- Released By 2entertain
- DVD Released: 3rd December 2012
Plot
The year is 2006 and Eve Caleigh is at a playground with her young son, in fact she and her son share a strange connection in which they experience shared dreams and the like. Whilst he is playing Eve momentarily falls asleep, however upon awaking discovers he has completely disappeared. Following a thorough police search no signs of him are found.
Eleven months later her husband Gabe suggests that they relocate to the north of England where he has been offered a job. She agrees and the family moves into Crickley Hall which comes as the accommodation with the job.
Soon after Eve and her two daughters begin to experience strange goings on. Eve believes it’s her missing son trying to contact her. Crickley Hall was once an orphanage back during 1943, a place in which some truly horrendous acts took place.
Style / Direction
First off I have to say The Secret of Crickley Hall looks fantastic with the perfect location for Crickley Hall being selected. The style is also spot on with some excellent camera work creating uncomfortable feelings.
The story moves from present day one moment seamlessly into 1943 this really helps not only with the story telling but with emphasising the supernatural connection. It really is a very well made TV series that deserves a lot of credit in bringing James Herbert’s vision to life.
Music / Audio Effects
The music perfectly induces a really eerie and unnerving feeling which fits the genre like a glove.
Acting / Characters
Everyone in The Secret of Crickley Hall delivers outstanding performances. There are a couple of standout acting performances in particular from Suranne Jones as the mother of a missing child and Olivia Cooke as the Teacher to the orphans. Both of these actresses really help to elevate the overall quality of the production.
The children are all very good with Kian Parsiani as Stefan Rosenbaum, the Jewish German orphan boy the standout performer.
Cast
Present Day
- Suranne Jones as Eve Caleigh
- Tom Ellis as Gabe Caleigh
- Maisie Williams as Loren Caleigh
- Pixie Davies as Cally Caleigh
- Elliot Kerley as Cameron Caleigh
- David Warner as Elderly Percy Judd
- Susan Lynch as Lili Peel (Psychic medium)
- Donald Sumpter as Gordon Pyke (Parapsychologist)
1943
- Olivia Cooke as Nancy Linnet (Teacher)
- Douglas Henshall as Augustus Cribben (Owner of Crickley Hall)
- Sarah Smart as Magda Cribben (Sister of Augustus Cribben)
- Iain De Caestecker as Percy Judd (Groundskeeper of Crickley Hall)
- Kian Parsiani as Stefan Rosenbaum (Jewish German orphan)
- Craig Parkinson as The Reverend Horace
Conclusion: The Secret of Crickley Hall TV Series Review
Whether you have read James Herbert’s excellent book or not I would strongly recommend watching and purchasing The Secret of Crickley Hall on DVD. It’s a must see for all fans on ghost stories.
If you like my The Secret of Crickley Hall DVD Review you may want to look at these:
- Hammer Volume One Fear Warning (Blu-ray) Boxset
- Ghost In The Water (1982) (DVD)
- IT TV mini-series (1990) (Blu-ray)
- The Enfield Haunting (DVD)
Conclusion: The Secret of Crickley Hall DVD Review
Its a 2006 TV series so as you would expect the picture quality is excellent.
Nothing on the extras front and I don’t really have any complaints.
The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006) is available now on DVD from Amazon.
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Popcorn Cinema Rating: The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006)
POPCORN CINEMA: RECOMMENDED
TV Trailer
For those of you yet to see the TV series I’ll leave you with a little taster…
Clips may not be representative of the DVD version
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Summary: The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006) DVD Review
Movie title: The Secret of Crickley Hall (2006) TV Series
Duration: 175 mins
Actor(s): Suranne Jones, Tom Ellis, David Warner, Susan Lynch, Donald Sumpter, Maisie Williams, Pixie Davies, Elliot Kerley, Olivia Cooke, Douglas Henshall, Sarah Smart, Iain De Caestecker, Kian Parsiani, Craig Parkinson
Genre: Supernatural
- Movie Rating
Summary
The Secret of Crickley Hall TV Series is a must see for any fans of ghost stories.
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