Powerful

Good concept, poorly executed.

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

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

For an extremely gruesome topic that touches on some serious spiritual issues, this three part British TV series (continuing into a second set of episodes) is amazingly riveting and easy to follow once you get to know all of the characters. I was hoping that this was a contained story told over three episodes, but after seeing how it ended, wondered if the tale, not yet wrapped up, would continue. It appears to be done for now, but as a tease, it makes me want to investigate other British TV shows not broadcast here in the United States. I discovered it perhaps like any other American fan of "Downton Abbey" by researching the other works of certain actors, and got it after discovering that Siobhan Finneran (O'Brien, "Downton Abbey") was one of the featured players. Boy was I shocked by not only the change in her appearance but the change in her circumstances, not that I expected her to have dowdy clothes, a bad hairstyle and sideburns (as she amusingly commented on in a "DA" interview). Now, she's the lady of the manor, albeit one with a secret, and one that makes O'Brien seem like Little Mary Sunshine.The story focuses on Church of England vicar Anna Maxwell Martin, a widowed lady with a vulnerable young daughter who becomes involved with the occult. The story starts off by going into detail of a gruesome murder, one almost identical to the Crucifixion of Jesus. That part alone is disturbing enough, but the way the story is presented shows that this is being told through the idea that good vs. evil always ends with good winning and the evil somehow destroyed or dis-empowered. A dying old man seems to be the key from where all this evil seems to be coming from, and when Maxwell Martin visits him on his hospital death bed, it is very apparent that even in death, this sack of a human is still as depraved and perverted as when he was up and around and fully healthy. The stacks in an old library are visited where ancient details of this occult group are revealed, and individual characters are shown to either be secretly a part of it, deathly afraid of it, or fighting it with all of their spiritual might.There are certain parallels you see in society today used as plot devices, including the manipulation of the young through old prejudices regarding the church, false accusations of inappropriate behaviors, and the fear of the widow of the evil old man which caused her to pretend that their daughter died in childbirth and give her up so she would avoid being around such a depraved existence. Ania Marson is excellent in this role, first confronting the vicar with great anger at the clinic where her husband is dying, and later revealing details which soften her character up. Finneran, having played a Mrs. Danvers ("Rebecca") like schemer in "Downton Abbey", now emulates Billie Whitelaw from "The Omen" in her passive/aggressive nature, proving as she indicated in an interview that she truly disappears into each character she plays. I hope that this continues for another couple of episodes to at least wrap everything up neatly, although most of the plot devices introduced early on were, only leaving the full mystery unsolved.

Midwinter of the Spirit is an unsettling supernatural thriller, reminiscent of the Exorcist films. This mini series is not as violent as the Exorcist franchise but it shares the same tense atmosphere inhabited by a creeping, scuttling, increasing intrusive, evil. An evil that leaves no place safe, not even the comfortably familiar haven, the family home.This is a a well scripted mini series, with a good solid foundation in terms of its story and a very believable cast of characters, who hand in, often frighteningly convincing performances. Topping this off is well developed narrative that slowly draws you into the story, lending added credibility to what is an otherworldly tale. In short Midwinter of the Spirit is a high caliber UK production that is a must watch. My advice, just don't watch it alone. Eight out of ten from me.

*****SPOILER FREE***** About time, these books have been around years and been waiting for TV to take them up. It raised an eyebrow when I heard ITV were making them, the nature of material I'd have thought would have meant only Channel Four would have had the b***s to make, but fair play.Three enjoyable episodes, well put together. Anna was good as Merrily, David Threlfall was worthy of more on screen time. One minor fault would be the lack of Gomer Parry, a key relationship in the books.Being ITV, it's no surprise that some of the more gruesome elements were omitted, they could have been darker, although I'm left feeling there's potential with this series. A Christmas transmission would have been good, MR James has left a gaping hole.Some of the books are darker then others, I'll wait with baited breath to see if Crown of Light is the next one they make.Apparitions sank a few years ago, similar material. I hope isn't the one and only outing for Merrily. Time will tell.>>>>>Watch it, and then read the book, not the other way around>>>>>

That is 3 hours of my life wasted. On paper it sounds good, but was all very predictable. The lead actress was awful, over-acting and hardly ever raising her voice above whispering mode. Special effects nowadays are so clever but have been done to death, in films and on TV. It is very hard now to cause shock through them. I found the ending rather confusing unless I missed something. Siobhan Finneran's character and the mysterious male who accompanied her, seemed to walk away from the final scene Scot free. Going back to the lead actress, Anna Maxwell Martin, I would state that my criticism of her performance is confined to this drama, as I have seen her in other things, during which I have enjoyed the portrayal of her character.