UK: Clifton House Mystery from Network in February 2010

[MarcMorris]

On February 8, 2010 Network will issue the complete series of The Clifton House Mystery on DVD.

An old woman’s possessions are auctioned, and orchestral conductor Timothy Clare and his family move into her large, though rather gloomy and dilapidated, old house in Bristol. It soon becomes clear that this is a house full of secrets, and that Mrs. Betterton had good reason to leave with her young granddaughter, the ethereal, otherworldly Emily; after a series of frightening experiences and disturbing discoveries - including a walled-up room containing a skeleton - the Clares realise that they are not the only occupants. Unearthly presences inhabit the house, and the family must find a way to lay the ghosts to rest if they are ever to find peace there.

Eerie special effects, a twist-laden plot and highly atmospheric setting make for spine-tingling drama in this memorable six-part series for younger viewers. Made by HTV - renowned for producing inventive children’s drama with supernatural themes and a slightly sinister edge - The Clifton House Mystery stars Peter Sallis as Milton Guest, the eccentric but affable ghost-hunter who is eventually called upon to exorcise the restless spirits that plague the family. First screened in 1978, the complete series is available here for the very first time on DVD.

DVD: amazon.co.uk

[haydw]

Ah I remember the old Guild video sleeve. I rented it but can't remember a lot. Was it truncated for the video?

[guthrie!]

I remember seeing something very, very similar to this as a wee lad but it wasent a period piece, it was quite up to date (we're talking early 80's) and mainly concerned a secret room in a house that belonged to the kids grandparents. I also remember them realising theres a secret room because from the outside you could see its window!! And it had a long time dead soldier in there that haunted the place, something about them finding the room and the old corpse (scared the shite out of me, even watching it on a sunday afternoon) stops the paranormal goings on. More power to Network tho they are doing a stellar job with old tv stuff. I stll love The Belstone Fox, absolute classic. Not being too nostalgic/biased but tv today....sheesh.

[MarcMorris]

Ah I remember the old Guild video sleeve. I rented it but can't remember a lot. Was it truncated for the video?

The UK pre-cert was a condensed version of the series running for just 135 minutes.

[jacksmith1983]

I've been curious about seeing The Clifton House Mystery for awhile, ever since I saw a few snippets on Youtube which looked quite atmospheric. Therefore I'm pleased that this is coming to DVD where I can see it in its entirety. £8.98 for the whole series is a great price too.

[jacksmith1983]

I remember seeing something very, very similar to this as a wee lad but it wasent a period piece, it was quite up to date (we're talking early 80's) and mainly concerned a secret room in a house that belonged to the kids grandparents. I also remember them realising theres a secret room because from the outside you could see its window!! And it had a long time dead soldier in there that haunted the place, something about them finding the room and the old corpse (scared the shite out of me, even watching it on a sunday afternoon) stops the paranormal goings on.

Guthrie could this by any chance have been the famous and at times surprisingly creepy BBC "Look and Read" serial Dark Towers? That certainly has a plot slightly similar to the one you describe, although its probably not the thing you're looking for.

Dark Towers (Wikipedia)

If not I have no idea really, but if you do find out what this was then let me know as based on your description it sounds like a creepy treat.

[guthrie!]

Unfortunately its not Jack but Dark Towers is certainly familiar: not something i've watched but may hope to after reading that. I think as i'm getting older i'm regressing slightly and getting into older more creepy childhood memory material (thanks to Networks astonishing Charley Live Volumes! He he).

The film/feature i saw came across as a sort of eerie, kids play for today affair, it was on vhs rented from my grandparents video shop(where they hired from, not owned!! I wish.) back in about '82, '83-so definatley pre-cert (ahhh), for the life of me i cant remember the name of it and i dont have any video trade mags or anything of that nature from the time so i'll just have to keep em' peeled. But yes Jack, it's certainly a creepy affair.