It’s our 3rd annual Ghost Stories for Christmas evening here at the Star & Shadow as part of our TV on the Big Screen events! We’re bringing you three more spine-chilling tales from the BBC Archive:

• A Warning to the Curious

• The Ash Tree

• A View from a Hill

After our fantastic spooky nights over the last two years, we’re excited to give you the chance to see another three haunting classics this year, from both eras of this iconic television tradition, all based on ghostly tales by M.R. James.

We start with the classic A Warning to the Curious, directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. This subtle yet eerie adaptation of James’ story follows an amateur archaeologist who travels to a remote coastal village in search of a legendary buried crown. As he delves deeper, he encounters a dark and unsettling force tied to the local folklore.

Next is the last adaptation from the classic era of James’ stories, The Ash Tree, also directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark. Sir Richard Fell inherits a country estate with a dark history tied to a local woman accused of witchcraft. As he uncovers the secrets surrounding an ancient ash tree on the property, he realises the sinister legacy he has inherited.

Rounding off the night is the first film from the resurrected series in 2005, A View from a Hill. Dr. Fanshawe visits a rural estate and borrows an old pair of binoculars that reveal unsettling visions of the past. As he becomes increasingly drawn into these revelations, he uncovers a haunting connection to the land’s dark history.

As ever for our TV on the Big Screen, our screenings will be followed by an informal discussion/Q&A, so please bring your questions and be ready for a spooky conversation! Dressing up as your favourite Christmas ghoul is encouraged but not essential