THE WOMAN IN BLACK

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is a film version of the well known ghost story by Susan Hill, which has also been adapted for the stage. It follows the story of a young lawyer who travels to a remote rural village where he discovers a vengeful ghost responsible for the deaths of local children. The film was classified '12A' for intense supernatural threat and horror.

There are a number of scenes of supernatural horror and threat in which the ghost of the 'woman in black', as well as the ghosts of her victims, appear to and threaten the central character and others. The BBFC's Guidelines at '12A'/'12' state 'Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, providing disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained'. Although there is a degree of intensity to the scenes involving the ghosts, these are broken up by other material, with a number of quieter periods in between the more frightening sequences. The period setting and the well-understood genre expectations offer a further degree of distancing from contemporary reality, with the film resembling a traditional ghost story in the tradition of M.R. James. Nonetheless, the general tone of the film is quite bleak and the premise of a ghost manipulating children into harming or killing themselves, make this a potentially disturbing feature for young children. Children under 12 may find the film too intense, but it is generally suitable for viewers of 12 and above, who are likely to find the scary moments thrilling rather than upsetting, particularly given that it is based on a well known book and stage play. The film also includes a scene in which the ghost of the 'woman in black' appears to hang herself from a noose. It also includes a scene in which a young girl smashes an oil lamp, causing herself to burst into flames. Both these scenes were reduced in order to achieve a '12A' classification. In another scene, a girl coughs up blood after ingesting caustic soda. The Guidelines at '12A'/'12' state 'There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood'. The coughing up of blood is relatively brief, albeit shocking, and the result of poisoning rather than violence.

The film also contains repeated verbal and visual references to a young boy drowning in a muddy swamp, to a mother dying in childbirth and some dated references to 'harlot'.

Parents can find additional information about the content of this film if they visit www.pbbfc.co.uk.