Children of the Grave

Anyone watching this movie in the hope of some fascinating insights into the world of the paranormal investigator or perhaps just for a few scares is going to be sorely disappointed.

If the intent of the filmmakers was to convince us that the EVP recordings, photographs and video footage were real they did a very poor job. The editing jumped all over the place, at first I thought it was just going to be like that at the start of the film and then it would get down to the proper investigations, but sadly it continued right up to the last minute.

There was not one moment when I was even vaguely convinced any of the footage was of a real supernatural event, they jump cut so quick you were left feeling like they were trying to hide something, interspersing it with staged footage of little children and dramatic or heavy metal music took you further away from feeling like this was a serious documentary.

If they wanted to make a point they needed to slow down, focus on one happening at a time, show us the footage of things actually happening - not just say something happened.

Overall the whole thing pretty much bored me, there wasn't even a hint that this could actually be a real investigation and at no point did it stay still long enough for you to actually get creeped out.

I had hoped that the Booth Brothers would have matured as film makers, and ceased depending on cheap theatrics, constant "scary" and quick cuts, since Spooked. They haven't. I'm upset that I'll never get that time back, as it was wasted. I could have spent the time watching paint dry, and been far more entertained.

The investigations shown are minimally sound. This could be due to the poor editing, but I think it's a combination of bad editing and poor investigative process. These are supposed to be "experts" but there is nothing cutting edge, progressive or redeeming in regards to the investigative techniques. The use of child actors was unnecessary. Most of the evp's I would never present as evidence of any kind, as they are just too ambiguous and indistinct. And what is the deal with the pseudo-commandos of PTF/MPR. No one is going to take a 350 pound wanna-be ghost commando seriously.

The Booth Brothers need to get back into the porn industry, it's apparent that they have no talent filming a documentary of any kind. Value your time. It would be better spent watching Pee Wee Herman.

Ok there is some historical interest in the programme but, I can't get past how padded out and silly it is. The 'extreme ghost hunters,' a couple of heavily overweight blokes wearing dark military style gear topped with black military style berets. Im ex British army so, yeah - I can't really write the words here I'd use to describe that pair of... tankers.

Anyways. If you're travelling or watching it in a quiet office/work place on a weekend or something - or your heavily interested in the subject matter then yeah, it's tolerable. But, this show stretches credulity to say the least. Only watching it myself because I'm extremely tired but it's too early to go to bed.

I have to agree that the credibility of the investigations is sketchy based on how the information was presented. There's just way too much additional "drama" involved. If there was compelling evidence, the added recreations and images of dead people weren't needed. Perhaps they wanted the film to be two hours and needed to add in some time. The fact that John Zaffas was involved, as a credible and experienced demonologist, helps their credibility but I'm not so sure he was any more impressed with the final product than we are. Who knows. I still found many things included to be interesting and some of the evidence impressive so I'd say anyone interested in the subject of the paranormal should still give it a look-see.

What happened to this film on DVD/Streaming in the USA? Anyone know? Where can it be purchased? It is an amazing combo of historical documentary and paranormal investigating. If you like either, or both, it's unparalleled. Devoted to the many many thousands of orphans who died in 'orphan asylums' in late 19th-early 20th centuries. Their story is told in a touching, sympathetic way and is not at all exploiting, as are many TV paranormal shows. Great music, photography. Great. But it has been yanked from N American distribution in 2016 and I cannot* find a single DVD or a streaming service in 2017 :-( Spooked Productions will not respond. If you find it, let us all know! A+ for the genre.