Ghost Story (1981)

[Neville]

I must confess something: I adore Peter Straub's novels. Most of them are uneven, even to the point of having boring spots, but they have a kind of horror that makes them special. Straub is a master when it comes to blend supernatural with our everyday fears, very much like his fellow Stephen King, but he's also a very different writer, with higher literary ambitions and fewer commercial constraints.

Anyway, I saw this film as a kid, long before I learned of Straub, and it's been quite interesting to watch it today under a different light.

"Ghost Story" is an adaptation of one of Straub's first works. It was filmed by veteran John Irvin, and starred no less than Fred Astaire and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as two members of a gentlemen's club who share a dark secret. A secret, that this being a supernatural horror film, will return to haunt them and kill them in rather unpleasant ways.

First things first, I just learned the movie has a terrible reputation, and I'll be ready to admit it has its share of problems. To start with the cast, they all deliver competent performances, but it is quite clear that the film undersuses its terrific cast. The second problem is the gore. There are gorier films out there, but for a film that tries to be more sophisticated than your usual horror film, the occasional gory shots look completely out of place, and the way Irvin handles them doesn't help matters.

But despite this the film is a rather competent adaptation of the novel. It does sacrifice its precise portrait of the village, but it handles well the central story, which involves two different timelines, and there are no dull spots. Even Irvin, one of those directors that will direct anything you can imagine, from thrillers to a Victorian dramas, proves here and there that he wasn't that wrong a choice to direct the film. There are a few passages that reminded me of Straub's writing, like one uneasy scene where one of the elders visits a derelict building and is taunted by a couple of squatters, who hint they know more about him than they possibly should.

And there's also a young Alice Krige, who creates a remarkable character. If you've seen her elsewhere you already know she has a very peculiar beauty, and here she exploits that to maximum effect in a very ambivalent role. You'll want to kiss her and then run away. And fast.

[RCMerchant]

Wow. Odd that you posted this. I've never seen the movie...but am right in the middle of the book-(which is Bizzare with a capital B !!!) I picked it up at a yard sale a couple months back,and started reading it a few days ago...

[Mr_Vindictive]

Caught this one last year on cable.  Never read the book but I loved the film.  Fantastic cast and very haunting little film.  I could have done without Craig Wasson's man parts flapping around though.

Also, the ending is a bit obtuse.  I don't want to say much here for those that haven't seen it but I'm still a bit confused about it.

Overall though, a great film.

[ulthar]

I agree with Neville: Peter Straub his an interesting, shall I say infection, horror writing style.  Ghost Story was the first horror book I read ever read that made it hard for me to sleep at night.  Shadowland was a heck of an interesting concept for a story, and duly creepy.  Julia, his first, was creepy as well.  I'm reusing that 'c' word on purpose - Straub has that knack.

Skaboi, if you enjoyed the movie, I think you really would like the book.  As far as book-to-movie adaptations go, it is one of the best I've ever seen.

RC, I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on the book when you finish it.

I've heard a lot of folks pan this movie.  That's a head scratcher to me.  I think it hits on all cylinders for a horror movie.  My read is that it is more 'classic' horror rather than the 'shock horror' which many modern movie-goers are used to, and thus it is found boring by those expecting more shock in their horror.  Hey, you either allow yourself to be immersed in the story or you don't.  It's not really a sit back and be mindlessly entertained kind of horror film.

Good review, Neville.  Thanks for the reminder - I'll have to dig this one out since I have not watched it in years.

[Oldskool138]

There was an interview with Straub on the radio in my area a couple of years ago and the hosts were almost literally gushing about Ghost Story...the movie and the book.  So, I decided I'd read the book before renting (or buying if the book was awesome) the movie.  I'm glad I didn't.  I have a cardinal rule when starting a book or movie.  I will always finish the movie or book no matter how bad it is.  Sometimes, the last chapter or 15 minutes of a book or movie will make what preceded it worthwhile.

I haven't seen the movie based on the book because I hated (I mean hated) the book.  It was boring for long stretches and when something sort of interesting happened it made little or no sense and it was over before it began.  In fact, I tell people not to read Ghost Story if Straub comes up in conversation.

Now, I liked The Talisman so I figured that I'd probably like Straub's solo work.  I don't think I'll be reading any else by him...Once was enough.

[indianasmith]

I read this book in high school and it scared the bejabbers out of me . . . it's a little dated now but still has some downright chilling moments.  Remniscent of Stephen King's THE LIBRARY POLICE.

[Neville]

Oldskool138, you really should give Straub another chance. I admit his earlier books have boring spots and that is often difficult to tell what exactly is going on, but they're still a hell of a read if you have the patience.

But if you pick some of his latest stuff, like Mistery or The throat, that's another story, they're far more accesible, and excellent books too.

[Oldskool138]

Oldskool138, you really should give Straub another chance. I admit his earlier books have boring spots and that is often difficult to tell what exactly is going on, but they're still a hell of a read if you have the patience.

I don't know.  I mean, I couldn't really figure out what was going on in Ghost Story and when they finally revealed what was going on through the whole book, I though "Wow, that's kinda lame".

SPOILERS

The best thing Pete could come up with tie the book together was a shape-shifter...It wasn't even a real ghost.  That "big reveal" didn't justify the time I spent slogging through the rest of the book.

SPOILERS END

Maybe one day I'll pick up another Straub book but it won't be any time soon.

[ER]

Great book, bad movie, and the review at the top up there is brilliant.