Graduated "Cum Laude" from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft; now onwards to mature Gothic horror?

Rating: 5/10 (19 March 2012)

Unfortunately I didn't manage to see the obscure 1989 version of the same story prior to watching this multi-budgeted and heavily marketed version at the cinema. That film, although a modest TV-production, is allegedly an atmospheric and creepy, yet sadly neglected gem of British horror that brings full and proper homage to Susan Hill's novel. I'm actually willing to believe that "The Woman in Black" has more impact in a modest TV-format because it's (and I certainly don't mean any disrespect) a rather simplistic and lightweight ghost story. The concept is chilling and unsettling, but not particularly innovative, so director James Watkins (who put himself on the horror map with the grisly shocker "Eden Lake") tries to impress the demanding nowadays audience with advanced digital effects, a detailed recreation of the Victorian era and the casting of the immensely popular Daniel Radcliffe in his first lead role after the "Harry Potter" cycle. Radcliff depicts Arthur Kipps; a notary clerk still mourning over his lost wife who died four years ago whilst giving birth to their son. Kipps is sent to a remote and extremely superstitious little village to collect all the required documents to establish the final testament of a deceased Aristocrat lady. Her mansion is located in the middle of a swamp, only accessible via a road during low tide, and avoided by the locals because of a curse. They believe the swamp house is still haunted by the woman in black. According to the legend this restless spirit was once forced to give up her child due to poverty, yet the wealthy foster parents didn't take proper responsibility and they boy drowned in the swamp. Now, whenever someone witnesses the mourning lady in black standing in the cemetery, a random and innocent child will die. When a young girl does, in fact, die shortly after Kipp's arrival, the entire town aggressively turns against him. The premise of a ghostly apparition endlessly avenging his/her own unprocessed trauma is efficient but, as said already, not exactly original. Regardless of what point we are in the movie, you can always predict what will happen next. Of course the life of Kipp's own son will be at stake, and of course he will (fruitless) attempt to set right the mistake of others in the past. Furthermore, and this is a rookie mistake I didn't expect from James Watkins, "The Woman in Black" really goes overkill with the false scares and misleading jump-moments. For nearly three quarters of the running time, the script simply goes "boo!" through suddenly appearing faces and birds unexpectedly flying out of chimneys. Luckily enough I can confidently state that the budget got well spent. The decors, costumes and set pieces look astounding and the whole film is actually a respectful tribute to British horror of the 1960's and 1970's, particularly Hammer films who are making a comeback and co-produced this one! And, definitely worth mentioning as well, Daniel Radcliff's performance is stellar. With a few more mature and versatile roles like this on his repertoire, he might be able to wash off his cherubic Harry Potter image after all.