Movie vs. Play - The Woman in Black

Written by Susan Hill in the 1980s, The Woman in Black is a classic gothic story. Since the 1980s the book was adapted into a play and still runs in London's West End, where last year to my fascinated horror I was introduced to the woman in black. When I mentioned the play to a friend of mine she said 'oh Daniel Radcliffe is in it'. I was confused because although I know Radcliffe has been doing theatre since Harry Potter I did not realise the book was adapted into a film. This is not the first time The Woman in Black has been to the big screen but once I found out about the film I knew I had to see it and compare it to the play.

Synopsis

Whilst attending the funeral of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House, solicitor Arthur Kipps glimpses a wasted woman dressed in black. Trying to find a buyer for Eel Marsh House and uncovering Mrs. Drablow's will, Kipps becomes aware of tragic secrets that are shrouded in mist and mystery. Uneasiness continues to grow on Kipps as the villagers are reluctant to discuss this woman in black.

The Play

In the theatre, there are two credited actors, Arthur Kipps who is trying to face his ghosts and the actor who is helping him tell his story. The young actor plays the role of young Kipps while Kipps acts the role of the people he meets. The woman in black is not credited. She is rarely seen in the play and when you do it adds substance to this horror and is wholly unexpected.

There is no orchestra to play pieces since this is not a musical but the use of lighting and sound are done to such dramatic effect you know you are watching a horror unfold. The sounds are so intense and build up each scene. In all I think the play was so terrifying that even the actors seemed nervous.

The Movie

Daniel Radcliffe portrays the role of young Kipps. There are a lot more actors in the film and there were many unexpected extras to add to the movie being horrific. I was horrified that the movie was rated 12A because it was a lot scarier and should have been at least a 15. The movie scared me and I huddled so much into my chair that I became one with it and even closed my eyes for several parts.

The woman in black is seen a lot more in the movie than she is seen in the play. The shooting of the scenes in Eel Marsh House were cleverly done, focusing on Radcliffe from the shoulders up while blurring the background, where in the shadows you swear you can see the woman in black even if she was not there. There was a creepy play on dolls and children as well.

Review

Both the movie and play stuck to the essence of Hill's novel. The main differences between the two would be:-

• The woman in black is shown a lot less in the play and when she is shown, it is to maximum effect.
• In the play, Kipps is unmarried, while in the film, Kipps' wife died in childbirth leaving him with a son.

To say anymore would be to spoil the film and the play.

The movie is pretty good with rottentomatoes.com giving it a 64% rating. The play in my opinion is a lot better although it is a bit slow in the beginning. However, when it picks up it is really terrifying. I just kindle'd the book so I'm going to have a read!