The Woman In Black

     Just got back from watching "The Woman in Black" starring Daniel Radcliffe, better known for his role in the many Harry Potter movies over the last 10 years.  If you are expecting to see any sort of Hogwart's magic though, you will be disappointed.  If you want a few chills and a bit of suspense, then this is the movie for you.  I loved the old Victorian atmosphere of the movie, and the setting on the moors, plus the creepiness of the Eel Marsh House.
     We went to see the movie at the drive-in on a cool Vegas evening.  Only froze one toe during the process as we were curled up on an air mattress out side the van, eating our popcorn and Whoppers.  Yummy!
     To get back to the movie, it starts out with Arthur Kipps (Daniel), being sent to the Eel Marsh House to arrange for its' sale, as the owner had died not too long ago.  (It doesn't really start that way, but I don't want to give away the opening scene). He travels by train to the town nearest the house and  immediately you get the sense that all is not right in the town of Crythin Gifford.  After spending the night in the attic of what appears to be the only inn in town, he heads out to the house the next morning, stares from children following his progress through the streets.
      Finally arriving at the Eel Marsh House, he sets about to do his job, getting paperwork in order and straightening out the affairs of the estate.  To tell you any more of the plot would give away the movie, but there are enough portents throughout the movie to keep you intrigued and watching to its', to me, satisfying conclusion. 
     The special effects were very well done, and the acting by Daniel Radcliffe was excellent.  I foresee that he will shed the Harry Potter role easily and not be typecast in his future roles.  Also, Ciaran Hinds, who played Dumbledore's brother in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part II" appears as Sam Daly, a local landowner who helps out Arthur Kipps.
     Perhaps less well known, there was a Granada Television version of "The Woman in Black" that was released on December 24, 1989.  I have this on VHS and have watched it a few times over the years, and find that, although well  made, it didn't seem to have the atmosphere that Hammer Studios' 2012 version has.  It starred Adrian Rawlins and Bernard Hepton.  I have never seen another movie that I am aware of that they were in.  If anyone else has, please let me know.
     Anyway, thanks for reading and indulging my little review.  And if I post another short story, I promise it will be better than yesterday's post.  Have a better one, ya'll.