The Woman in Black review

The Woman in Black, based upon the novel by the same name written by Susan Hill,
premiered in 1989 and was directed by Herbet Wise. In the early 20th century, a young
solicitor visits a small, isolated village to settle the affairs of a recently deceased woman.
Upon arrival, Mr. Kidd (named Mr. Kipps in the novel) finds the village haunted by the
mysterious Woman in Black.

This version is perfect for A level and GCSE students who are currently studying the novel
because, despite some notable changes such as the name of the main character, it
mostly follows the original story well and is an effective gothic film that produces the
same chilling impact as the novel. It helps to visualise key gothic elements that may be
hard for students to grasp when only seeing them on paper. Additionally, it bridges the
gap between the words on the page and the true meaning Hill is trying to convey, helping
the students gain a strong, comprehensive understanding of the novel.

The sets created a clear image of life in the early 20th century and the Marsh House
mansion creates suspense and fear, especially in the night scenes with the lights of the
house the only thing visible which clearly conveys two prominent gothic features: a dark,
windy night and a creepy, haunted house. Also used to create the gothic effect is the use
of sound effects and music. The eerie music builds anticipation so the audience knows
something is going to happen even if they can’t tell what it is creating a tense atmosphere
which puts the audience on edge.

Overall, this movie brings justice to the original novel while bringing something new of its
own as to keep previous readers intrigued and in suspense no matter if they think they
know what is going to happen. The build up of supernatural and scary but anticlimactic
events lead to one scene where everything that has happened culminates in a terrifying
scene that is sure to be remembered, even by modern audiences that have come to
expect high-tech special effects. This movie truly depicts the gothic genre and everything
it has to offer.