When the Lights Went Out (2012)

That was an excellent one.

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Well - despite the negative views on this, i found it to be a chilling encounter with unnatural forces - be interesting to see what the reviews do now after the "most haunted" team have been there trying to DEBUNK it all and failing miserably...... they were truly scared -i get that in the film there are some calendarical errors, that aside, it was a good movie - all the more so for being based on true events and i do not personally think that it swayed far from the path of truth - in the eyes of those that lived through it - there is always the doubt that it was flounced up (artistic expression and all that malarky) but if you get back to the bare bones of it.......

A ghost story set in 1970s Yorkshire is unusual. The Maynards move in to a new house in 1974. Their teenage daughter quickly believes that their is something spooky in the house with unusual paranormal activities.It soon becomes clear a poltergeist is in the house and is threatening the family and anyone else entering the house. The family get a priest to perform an exorcism. It seems that there are two spirits in the house. An evil priest that once raped and killed young girls and another, a young girl which is trying to warn the family to get out of the house.The film has a good period setting which stinks of mid 1970s Britain and its also goes for eeriness rather than gore as well as some Yorkshire wit and grit.However it does feel a lot like a television film to me not helped by the fact that several members of the cast of the television series, Line of Duty turn up here. It also reminded me somewhat of the recent BBC television series, Remember Me that starred Michael Palin.The more obvious comparisons are though is the original version of Poltergeist with shades of The Exorcism thrown in.So there is nothing novel here but its a well made, low budget drama. The ending however just feels a little too contrived and feel good though.

Despite the interesting set (England, 1974) and acceptable acting, When the Lights Went Out is a poor horror movie, mainly because of a presumably low budget and mediocre special effects. It creates enough empathy with the characters to make you feel sorry for what's happening to them (the girls in particular), it delivers a slight twist at the end and the story is interesting enough... but on the other side, the climax is just pitiful, the ghosts aren't scary and the mentioned twist is nothing but a way to keep the movie going for another 3 or 4 minutes. The movie generally fails its horror promise and leaves some questions unanswered (like... was there a more specific reason - other than the ghosts - why the girl wasn't allowed in her friend's house?). I have mixed feelings about this one, but can't give it a positive grade, 4 is as good as it gets.

Yorkshire, 1974: the Maynard family moves into their dream house but soon discovery it is already occupied by a violent spirit.Based on what is regarded as the most violent poltergeist haunting in Europe and not to be confused with the 'Enfield Poltergeist', from the metal bins to glass milk bottles, cigarette filled pubs, Buckaroo, Kerr plunk, wood panelled walls, seventies patterned wallpaper and 70's TV to name a few When the Lights Went Out is worth viewing for the 70s nostalgia alone.Director Pat Holden takes some queues from some well know horrors and parts of his offering are unavoidably reminiscent of The Amativille Horror, The Exorcist and Poltergeist. Although the closing is unnecessary effects laden, the overall unassuming setting adds to the ominous and uneasy feel, this coupled with the minimal melodic music and lighting create some good tension.With haunting figures and things going bump in the coal shed and dwelling as the family becomes more convinced their house isn't right, it becomes quite compelling viewing especially for those also familiar with the well documented alleged haunting. The creepy sound design makes the most mundane objects jumpy and menacing as the incidents escalate throughout. Along with the on location feel amongst the expertly recreated period, the everyday UK setting adds to an air of realism.Part horror, part family drama what's interesting is the haunting events and its effect on the daughter and family and the reaction of the school and local community. It's well filmed and acted, notable are Kate Ashfield , Steven Waddington, Tasha Connor with Craig Parkinson Martin Compston and Andrea Lowe providing some good performances in supporting roles.With a bit of artistic licence, based on The Black Monk of Pontefract, Holden gives the events context and structure to a story that's well acted amounting to a solid British haunting film.