To fully appreciate the found footage trope and the intrigue of media fakery, Ghostwatch is essential viewing. There’s a charming innocence to its “live TV special” premise, set in a claustrophobic, purple-carpeted British flat and driven by sincere performances that help sell the illusion. Michael Parkinson deserves particular praise for portraying a convincing host whose steady skepticism mirrors the viewer’s—until it no longer can.
Still, the sequence of events and the “scripted spontaneity” feel too carefully controlled to fully sustain disbelief. By contrast, The Blair Witch Project (1999), with its improvised chaos and raw, often vulgar dialogue, taps into the imagination far more effectively.
Originally aired by the BBC in 1992, Ghostwatch reportedly caused a public uproar. And it’s easy to see why—there are genuinely chilling moments when the camera lingers just long enough to reveal shadowy figures lurking in the background. The slow burn of the supernatural unfolding feels surprisingly modern, laying the groundwork for the found footage genre as we know it.
Though tamer and more predictable by today’s standards, Ghostwatch deserves recognition for bringing the ghost story into the living room—disguised as family-friendly programming that recoils from the horrors it accidentally uncovers, just like its audience.
Ghostwatch (1992) ****
Reely Bernie 
This is one of several movies I’ve watched now only because you recommended ’em. Cool flick. Here’s my YouTube take when you grab a moment from a BUSY life…https://youtu.be/w0M1Q6GqIlI
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I’ll check it out! Along with Cannibal Holocaust, this was one of those found footage groundbreakers. It was probably more effective in its day. Thanks, John, for taking the rec!
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Loved it, John! You have a knack for Roger Ebert conciseness and wit, my friend 🙂 I’m glad you liked it. In its “tameness,” it still kind of creeped out my wife, who acted like it didn’t scare her, but the ending got to her, haha!
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Takk, min venn. Yeah, I wouldn’t want that guy in his frightful final form here trapsing about my living room, man.
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Have never heard of this until now, Bernie. Interesting premise, and I’m always up for some found footage filming if it is done well.
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This is like the “Citizen Kane” of found footage, as most material is utilized in today’s attempts. The first half is “cute,” and then it gets real. Thank you for reading, Bruce! I love October!
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