When the titular woman in black descends, it is arguably the single most frightening moment in the history of British television. While the rest of this 1989 made-for-TV film is an effectively played and composed period ghost story, it is in individual moments that it transcends its overall production and becomes something enormously effective. The problem is that such high praise may easily lead to even higher expectations of the part of new viewers. The Woman in Black holds a lofty reputation, and while its best parts certainly earn it the rest can feel a little pedestrian and dated. It is, after all, more than 30 years old at the time of writing, and to an extent seeing one English ghost story play out does rather prepare the viewer for almost all of the others. There are genre conventions, and to a large part Herbert Wise’s film observes all of them.

Susan Hill’s novel has been adapted by television writer Nigel Kneale, in what would be one of his final key works. An industry legend, largely due to his groundbreaking Quatermass serials in the 1950s, he also wrote the horror TV play The Stone Tape – hands down the best horror ever produced for British television. You can sense the same hand adapting The Woman in Black, and Kneale’s talents play a key part in making the film as effective as it is.

Adrian Rawlins plays Arthur Kidd, a solicitor dispatched from London to England’s northeast to settle the estate of the deceased Alice Drablow. Upon his arrival in the market town Crythin Gifford, he finds a community keeping secrets, and no one willing to accompany him to the remote Eel Marsh House. Before long he is seeing a strange woman dressed in black wherever he goes.

Rawlins is a suitably credulous Kidd (Kipps in the novel), and supports the mystery narrative well. It is a difficult role to play well, since so much of his time is spent reacting to creepy sounds and ghostly apparitions. Pauline Moran is effective as the mysterious woman in black. Bernard Hepton – a personal favourite of mine thanks to his sterling work in the BBC’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Colditz – is a particular stand-out as local land owner Sam Toovey.

If there are moments that feel a little weak it is because this ITV-produced TV movie’s ambitions slightly exceed its production capacity. For the most part it works thrillingly, and absolutely earns its reputation as one of British television’s all-time greats. Susan Hill’s novel was revisited in 2012 with a feature film directed by James Watkins. Despite its larger budget, the greater liberties it takes with the story make it a less effective adaptation.

The Woman in Black has been digitally restored from the 16mm print by ITV Studios and released to bluray in the United Kingdom.