Depressing rather than frightening

Rating: 4/10 (11 December 2012)

I haven't seen the 1989 film or read the Susan Hill book, but had the the wits scared out of me in a quite hammy theatrical production a couple of years ago (my daughter and I screamed and grabbed each other - but took great pleasure in seeing the three 'too cool to be there' teenage boys in front of us shrieking like girls and jumping out of their seats at points ) I didn't know what to expect of this - much of the terror of the play is through suggestion, and I wondered if the film (with the possibility of special effects denied to a theatrical production) would be too literal or hackneyed. As the film started I was quite disappointed and wasn't sure if Daniel Radcliffe was right for the role: I was quite cynical and critical through much of the film - but then realised the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck, despite myself.
I think, overall, it is uneven - some bits work but it lacks the sustained and inexplicable tension and true 'leap out of your seats' horror of the play .