Ghostwatch was a Screen One production broadcast on BBC One, October 31st, 1992 at 21:25. It was written by Stephen Volk, directed by Lesley Manning and produced by Ruth Baumgarten, and starred Sir Michael Parkinson, Sarah Greene, Mike Smith and Craig Charles.
The one-off drama special purported to be a live broadcast from a haunted council house located in the fictitious suburb of Foxhill Drive, Northolt. Shortly after its first and only UK television broadcast, a considerable amount of discussion was raised concerning the show's impact, as many viewers nationwide believed what they were seeing was actually happening.
For an independent overview of the show, the Ghostwatch Wikipedia article is often a great resource. Check it out here!
CAN I BUY GHOSTWATCH ON VIDEO / DVD?
The BFI released a single-disc edition back in 2002 to mark the tenth anniversary, although it is now quite rare and depending on condition, goes for around £20-£50 on auction sites and online stores such as eBay and Amazon. A VHS edition was also released the same year. The DVD features an audio commentary with Stephen Volk, Lesley Manning and Ruth Baumgarten, a mini documentary entitled, Shooting Reality, and other downloadable DVD content.
In October 2011, Ghostwatch was re-issued on DVD.
HAS GHOSTWATCH EVER BEEN REPEATED ON TV?
As of 2011, Ghostwatch has not yet been broadcast again in full in the UK, although clips have recently been shown on BBC One, BBC Four, Channel Four and E4 (see our YouTube page for most of them). Overseas, Ghostwatch has been shown on the channels, Scream in Canada, and Canvas in Belgium.
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE DOCUMENTARY?
Stay tuned for 2012, Ghostwatchers...
WHERE CAN I FIND THE DELETED SCENES THAT AREN'T PRESENT ON THE DVD RELEASE?
In terms of 'deleted' content, the BFI DVD is only missing the BBC continuity announcement and Screen One ident which you can watch below - nothing else. You'd be amazed at just how often we get asked this, but rest assured, the DVD version is practically identical to what was broadcast in '92 - which too featured the end credits.
An interesting theory that might help explain this strange effect concerns the so-called 'banning' of Ghostwatch, and how viewers naturally resorted to using their imaginations to help fill in the uncertain gaps in their memory.
So, just to reiterate - the ghost never dances on the lawn, the camera didn't follow Sarah as she descended into The Gloryhole and no, we never did see the exploded glass table described by the frightened telephone caller..!
ARE THERE ANY OTHER FILMS LIKE GHOSTWATCH THAT I MIGHT ENJOY?
Sure. Alternative 3 is a similar British creation that was made some years before Ghostwatch. Then there's the wonderful, The Blair Witch Project, REC, The Last Broadcast, and Paranormal Activity to name but a few.
Others which are worth checking out, but might be more difficult to track down include, Alien Abduction: The MacPherson Tape, Special Report: Journey to Mars and Without Warning, all of which are a lot of fun, if you're fortunate enough to find copies.
...And not forgetting the original, War of the Worlds radio broadcast!
WAS THERE EVER A SEQUEL TO GHOSTWATCH?
Yep. Stephen Volk wrote a short story called, 31/10, which you can download here for free. Just don't read it alone...
WHERE'S PIPES?
For the full list of all eight Pipes sightings, including the phantom #9, click here.
HOW CAN I ARRANGE A SCREENING OF GHOSTWATCH?
There have been quite a few Ghostwatch screenings over the years. All requests should go through the appropriate channels at the BBC.
WHAT IS NATIONAL SÉANCE?
National Séance is an annual event in which fans worldwide play their own personal copies of the show at precisely the same time Ghostwatch was originally broadcast (21:25 GMT, 31st October) and then comment on the proceedings via Facebook and Twitter.
The event really is great fun. Especially, as many people have attested over the years, the best way to view Ghostwatch is with an audience, or your friends!
IS THERE A COLLECTIVE NOUN FOR FANS OF GHOSTWATCH?
'Ghostwatchers' seems to be the most popular term used. Although we also like, 'Pipes-Phobes'..!
WHAT ELSE WAS ON THE TV THE NIGHT GHOSTWATCH WENT OUT?
ROUND AND ROUND THE GARDEN... LIKE A TEDDY BEAR?
...Didn't believe the story of Mother Seddons, did you..? Ahh... Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum..!
