A Ghost Story for Christmas

Overview

A strand of annual British short television adaptations of classic ghost stories, referencing the oral tradition of telling supernatural tales at Christmas. First broadcast on BBC One from 1971 to 1978, and revived in 2005 on BBC Four.

Episodes

The Stalls of Barchester

S01E01 The Stalls of Barchester

December 24, 1971 45 min
An ambitious cleric murders an aged Archdeacon at Barchester Cathedral. However, he is soon being stalked by a sinister black cat and by a hooded figure both of whom seem to be embodiments of carvings...
A Warning to the Curious

S01E02 A Warning to the Curious

December 24, 1972 50 min
An amateur archaeologist travels to a remote seaside town in Norfolk to search for the lost crown of Anglia, but after unearthing it is haunted by a mysterious black figure.
Lost Hearts

S01E03 Lost Hearts

December 25, 1973 35 min
An orphan moves into the house of his uncle, but is disturbed by visions of a pair of ghostly children. Is their message a warning to be fearful of his uncle's obsession with immortality?
Treasure of Abbot Thomas

S01E04 Treasure of Abbot Thomas

December 23, 1974 37 min
A respected theologian and his protégé unearth clues to find the hidden treasure of a disgraced monk in an abbey library. Should he have heeded his own advice not to go treasure hunting?
The Ash-tree

S01E05 The Ash-tree

December 23, 1975 32 min
An aristocrat inherits his family estate and is haunted by visions of his ancestor's role in a witchcraft trial.
The Signalman

S01E06 The Signalman

December 22, 1976 38 min
A railway signalman tells a curious traveller how he is being troubled by a ghostly spectre that seems to predict calamity.
Stigma

S01E07 Stigma

December 28, 1977 32 min
Whilst clearing the ground for a new lawn, a family find a huge flat rock in their garden. It is so heavy it needs a crane to remove it. In doing so, they release a...
The Ice House

S01E08 The Ice House

December 25, 1978 34 min
The story concerns a health spa visited by Paul (John Stride) , strange incidents occur with members of staff whom Paul notices are all icy cold to the touch. The Brother and sister owners seem...
A View From a Hill

S01E09 A View From a Hill

December 23, 2005 39 min
A historian has a disturbing experience after borrowing a pair of binoculars belonging to a missing outcast and venturing up a notorious landmark.
Number 13

S01E10 Number 13

December 22, 2006 40 min
An academic researcher repudiates local superstitions surrounding a devilish house. However, repeated visions and noises during the night suggest he may be proved wrong.
Whistle and I'll Come to You

S01E11 Whistle and I'll Come to You

December 24, 2010 52 min
Leaving his ill and ageing wife in a care home, a retired astronomer revisits one of their old coastal haunts, but after discovering a ring on the beach is soon haunted himself.
The Tractate Middoth

S01E12 The Tractate Middoth

December 25, 2013 35 min
A young librarian receives a request for an obscure Hebrew book from a sinister gentleman, unaware of its contents.
The Dead Room

S01E13 The Dead Room

December 24, 2018 28 min
Aubrey Judd, veteran radio presenter of The Dead Room, soon realises that elements of his own past are not as dead and buried as he perhaps hoped.
Martin's Close

S01E14 Martin's Close

December 24, 2019 31 min
Adaptation of a ghost story by MR James. 1684. John Martin is on trial for his life. Facing him, the infamous 'hanging judge' George Jeffreys. However, this is not a cut-and-dried murder case.
The Mezzotint

S01E15 The Mezzotint

December 24, 2021 29 min
1923. In the heart of an old English college, Edward Williams receives an engraving of of an unknown country house with an imposing facade, a sweeping lawn - and, just perhaps, something else.
Count Magnus

S01E16 Count Magnus

December 24, 2022 30 min
The inquisitive Mr Wraxhall discovers that a long-dead Swedish nobleman does not lie easy in his tomb.
Lot No. 249

S01E17 Lot No. 249

December 24, 2023 29 min
An Oxford University student becomes obsessed with an ancient Egyptian mummy.
Woman of Stone

S01E18 Woman of Stone

December 24, 2024 30 min
Newlywed couple Jack and Laura move to a village where a legend says marble knight effigies in the church come alive on Christmas Eve. Jack dismisses it as folklore, but on Christmas Eve, he feels...

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