Borley Rectory

Since the 19th century there has been paranormal activity happening at an Essex rectory stemming back to the apparent ghost of a woman going back to the 17th century. In time the rectory becomes known as the most haunted house in Britain attracting paranormal investigators.

A fascinating and nicely made docudrama that uses animation, some stark black and white cinematography to tell its story with some panache.

I have been fascinated by Borley rectory since I was a kid. I grew up hearing about the ghost stories and hauntings that happened there. Naturally I was thrilled when I heard that this documentary was being made. I was even more excited when I heard that Reece Sheersmith was going to be involved. I didn't really know what to expect from the film but I was not disappointed. Borley Rectory takes an at times tongue in cheek look at the goings on at Borley rectory, beautifully narrated by Julian Sands. It explores the history and events that happened to the various occupants over the years before the rectory's final demise in the 40s.

The film itself is a really interesting mix of animation, and live action combined to make for a really creepy atmosphere, that is unlike most any other film of this type. This is not Friday the 13th or a "horror movie" in that sense so you should not watch it expecting anything like that, rather a genuinely fascinating and original look at the history of one of the alleged most haunted places in Britain. Ghost fans will enjoy this.

This is a documentary of the Borley Rectory. Its advertised as a film so that people will watch it. Just know that going in.

If you love ghost stories, if you love the aesthetic of old, faded photographs of seances, of planchettes and ghost writing, Victoriana, decaying grandeur and hauntology, I recommend this exceptional little labour of love. Every frame is a work of art, every flicker of dust mote or misty tendril might be a phantom or face at the window.

Ashley Thorpe's Borley Rectory: The Most Haunted House In England is a real labour of love, a dramatised documentary which mixes animation and live action footage to create a creepy ambience and a unique look. It is narrated in textbook fashion by non other than Julian Sands, and features an impressive score by Mick Grierson and Steven Severin (the former bass player in Siouxsie and the Banshees). The cast features Jonathan Rigby playing psychic investigator Harry Price, and Reece Shearsmith from The League of Gentleman, as Daily Mirror journalist V.C. Wall. They all had to perform in front of green screens in order for the film to achieve its mesmerising visual style, and the entire production took Thorpe six years to fully realise. "It feels like it should be in a double feature with Dead of Night (1945)," he has said of his film, which as slow paced as it is, is something he can be extremely proud of.