Customer Reviews

Green Man [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first saw this film on A&E in 1992, and was impressed with it. The combination of gothic horror, light comedy and drama made this somewhat lengthy film a treat to watch. Unfortunately it is not availaible on DVD and it's even hard to find on VHS. My copy's slip cover is worn and well used. I recommend this movie to any horror fan, who appreciates a good story without the intense gore and shallow dialogue. Albert Finney is PERFECT in this role as the boozing, womanizing inn-keeper in the English countryside. Watch for the "visitor" in the latter half, and try and come to your OWN to conclusion what character he is playing in the story. Enjoy!

First saw this on A&E during Hallowe'en and it set the mood perfectly. Based on the novel by Kingsley Amis it is the story of a rural English country Inn and the ghosts that haunt it. Albert Finney is the alcoholic innkeeper who may be seeing spirits who is he just consuming them? Subtle and enchanting in the mode of the orginal "The Haunting", with a healthy dash of the erotic, to tell more would spoil it. If a chill up the spine and a tingle in the head are your cup of tea, you will not be disapponted.

It's a source of frustration that we can't buy "The Green Man" on DVD. It's the kind of pleasant little spooker that's just right for a rainy night with a fire in the fireplace, etc., etc....
our absolute requirements for a ghost story flick are intelligent writing/acting and superb atmosphere, and this delivers both admirably. We could watch it again and again.

This is the perfect Halloween Dinner Party movie. Its now a tradition to have a fantastic meal (and wine) while watching this very slick supernatural thriller. Enjoy!

A very thoughful and discriminating film treatment of Kingsley Amis's novel. Albert Finney is absolutely perfect for the role. In fact he adds more dimension to the character from the story. It's a little made-for-tvish, but like the Soprano's, I think this is why the producers didn't feel pressed to add the de rigeur cliched dramatic elements to boost movie ticket sales. Amis's novel deserves a low-key and suble treatment. Something Speilbergian and cinematic would have been too overblown. Rent it, buy it, and read one of Amis's better novels.

I have this DVD, which I obtained from the U.K., and recommend it to all viewers. If you can, try and get a copy of this film on either DVD, or VHS, it is well worth the time and money. This excellent BBC film, first aired in 1992. [In the USA]. The entire film is outstanding! Maurice Allington (Albert Finney) is a womanizing alcoholic, and the owner of the "Green Man Inn." When his father dies, he begins to see someone no one else can. Everyone shrugs it off as too much drink. However, there is something amiss at the Green Man Inn. Only Lucy, his young daughter believes that he is seeing something from another spiritual plane. His wife and friends believe that the alcohol is finally affecting his mind. Including his Doctor. And more importantly, a clergyman too!

One of the main attractions of the Green Man Inn is the supposedly haunted stories that Maurice regales in telling visitors when they come to dine there. However, things are no longer funny when he begins to see more and more visions of one ghost in particular. When he begins to dig deeper into the history of his family estate, he discovers that an evil man, Dr. Underhill (Michael Culver) was a murderer who killed his wife in a most horrible manner. This Dr. Underhill lived in the 17th century. The spirit of this evil man makes contact with Maurice and promises him the world, if he will only do one thing for him. I will not divulge this and spoil the film for you. I highly recommend this excellent film. [Stars: 5+]

I only saw this movie a long time ago, when I was a little kid, but I CAN remember that it scared the living hell out of me. Maybe it was just because I was young, but I will always remember it as, out of all the movies I've seen, one that scared me the most.

The Green Man is far and away Kingsley Amis' most satisfying novel. The Green Man
This 1990 A&E production, starring Albert Finney, manages to capture Amis' wit and sense of style. In some ways, it may even improve upon it: Reverend Sonnenscheim, for instance [as well as his ultimate Boss] is played adroitly and with tremendous wit. Finney's performance as Maurice, a guilt-ridden alcoholic, on a sybaritic path to suicide, is brilliant.
Even though the special effects are definitely low-budget, the entire production has a visual arc and a sophistication that perfectly mirror the Maurice's deterioration--or is it salvation?
Every 3 months I send a nasty note to A&E demanding they get this film on DVD. I suggest you do the same.

Ordering an old, out of circulation VHS tape, made in the U. K. film (which was never issued on compact disc) was somewhat of a crap shoot, but the VHS tape was in excellent shape, played like a charm and was all that it was advertised to be. I can recommend the vendor.