The Stalls of Barchester properly launched the BBCs Christmas ghost stories of the 1970s. They were directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark who had previously been a documentary maker.
The story is framed in 1932. The scholarly Dr Black (Clive Swift) is cataloguing the library of Barchester Cathedral, an uninteresting duty. Until he comes across a trunk containing the papers of Dr Haynes (Robert Hardy) the former Archdeacon of the cathedral.
Dr Haynes arrived with his sister Letitia (Thelma Barlow) as a junior Deacon. Hoping to swiftly replace the aged Archdeacon Dr Pulteney (Harold Bennett). However he was blessed with good health and Dr Pulteney had no intention to retire even though he had now reached his 90s.
As the years went past, Haynes patience finally ran out. Along with the housemaid Jane Lee (Penny Service) an accidental death of Dr Pulteney is arranged. Dr Black later notes that regular payments were made to Jane Lee by Haynes, which seems to imply that he was being blackmailed.
Once Haynes becomes Archdeacon. Blackmail is the least of his problems, he feels he is being haunted. Hearing cat noises, the wood carvings of the cathedral might be alive. Haynes is a tormented man.
Maybe Haynes mysterious death was some sort of avenger from beyond the grave.
Clark had a low budget to work with. He still managed to male the drama in 16mm film. The spookiness was a bit too subtle, a lot is relied on light, shadows and Robert Hardy's acting.
There is a nod to folk horror. As Dr Black discovers where the wood came from for the church's intricate carvings.
The story is framed in 1932. The scholarly Dr Black (Clive Swift) is cataloguing the library of Barchester Cathedral, an uninteresting duty. Until he comes across a trunk containing the papers of Dr Haynes (Robert Hardy) the former Archdeacon of the cathedral.
Dr Haynes arrived with his sister Letitia (Thelma Barlow) as a junior Deacon. Hoping to swiftly replace the aged Archdeacon Dr Pulteney (Harold Bennett). However he was blessed with good health and Dr Pulteney had no intention to retire even though he had now reached his 90s.
As the years went past, Haynes patience finally ran out. Along with the housemaid Jane Lee (Penny Service) an accidental death of Dr Pulteney is arranged. Dr Black later notes that regular payments were made to Jane Lee by Haynes, which seems to imply that he was being blackmailed.
Once Haynes becomes Archdeacon. Blackmail is the least of his problems, he feels he is being haunted. Hearing cat noises, the wood carvings of the cathedral might be alive. Haynes is a tormented man.
Maybe Haynes mysterious death was some sort of avenger from beyond the grave.
Clark had a low budget to work with. He still managed to male the drama in 16mm film. The spookiness was a bit too subtle, a lot is relied on light, shadows and Robert Hardy's acting.
There is a nod to folk horror. As Dr Black discovers where the wood came from for the church's intricate carvings.