Retro TV tip: A Ghost Story for Christmas (BBC, 1971-1978)

This time of year, my favourite thing to re-watch is the legendary BBC anthology series “A Ghost Story for Christmas”. Originally broadcast between 1971 and 1978, each episode is a television adaptation of a classic ghost story, very much in the old tradition of Christmastime storytelling focused on the supernatural and the otherworldly.

While there are scary winter stories and traditions in other cultures across Europe and beyond, in Britain there’s a very strong link between ghost stories and Christmas, in particular—largely thanks to the Victorians who made it a popular form of entertainment, ideal for the dark winter months.

This anthology series is, more specifically, very English: the plots and settings, historical background, and elements of folk horror are all deeply rooted in England. All the filming was done at different locations in England, as well, mainly rural East Anglia and Lincolnshire.

As a fan of M. R. James’ fiction writing, I love the fact that the first five instalments are based on his works: 

1. The Stalls of Barchester

The Stalls of Barchester (1971) is based on M. R. James’ short story “The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral” (1910). It follows an ambitious clergyman who secretly arranges the death of an archdeacon to gain promotion. His crime is later avenged through supernatural forces connected to the cathedral’s carved stalls. 

2. A Warning to the Curious

A Warning to the Curious (1972) is an adaptation of the short story by the same title, first published in 1925. An amateur archaeologist discovers one of the legendary three crowns of East Anglia, believed to protect the land from invasion. After unearthing the crown, he is relentlessly pursued by its supernatural guardian. 

3. Lost Hearts

Lost Hearts (1973) is based on James’ short story “Lost Hearts” (1895). A young orphan goes to live with his elderly cousin – a scholar obsessed with immortality, who has already murdered two children in occult experiments to gain their “lost hearts”. Ghostly apparitions of the murdered children return to exact vengeance. 

4. The Treasure of Abbot Thomas

The Treasure of Abbot Thomas (1974) follows a scholar who deciphers clues left by a medieval abbot to uncover hidden treasure. His search leads him into a crypt where he encounters a terrifying supernatural guardian, revealing that the treasure was never meant to be claimed by the living. The episode is based on M. R. James’ story by the same title, first published in 1904.

5. The Ash Tree

Based on James’ story “The Ash-tree” (1904), this 1978 episode is abour a sinister ash tree. Growing outside a large house in the English countryside, the tree becomes the source of terror, as it harbours monstrous creatures linked to a witch’s curse.  

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The first five adaptations are a wonderful tribute to M. R. James as one of the most popular and influential writers of ghost stories.

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6. The Signalman

The Signalman (1976) is an adaptation of “The Signal-Man” (1866), a story originally written by Charles Dickens. A railway worker is haunted by ghostly apparitions that appear before tragic accidents on the line.

7. Stigma

Stigma (1977) is an original screenplay by Clive Exton. A family moves into a country cottage situated within an ancient stone circle. When workmen attempt to remove a megalith from their garden, a supernatural curse is unleashed!

8. The Ice House

The Ice House (1978) – another original screenplay, by John Bowen. A man seeks rest at a secluded country spa run by two enigmatic siblings. He becomes increasingly unsettled by their strange behaviour and the ominous presence of an old ice house on the grounds. 

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If you like this 1970s series or enjoy ghost stories in general, you’ll be happy to know that the anthology was revived in 2005, with brand new adaptations coming out (almost) each year. With the exception of 2023-2025 instalments, all the previous ones are based on James’ works. You can watch the trailers on the BBC website, and all the episodes (old and new) are currently accessible on the Internet Archive.

I will blog more about “A Ghost Story for Christmas” of the 2000s at some point, but for now, just to say that I’m eagerly awaiting the latest release – The Room in the Tower, based on a short story by E. F. Benson. It’s scheduled to be broadcast on BBC Two on this year’s Christmas Eve. 

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

‘The Christmas tree throws a dark shadow’: Mark Gatiss on the festive horrors of The Signalman

Ghosts of Christmas past: M.R. James, Lawrence Gordon Clark and A Ghost Story for Christmas

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