Fox Mystery Theater (TV Series) A Distant Scream (1984) User Reviews

Long Drawn-out, but atmospheric episode

[canndyman · 7/10 · 18 April 2020]

When I first saw this in 1984, I have to admit I was a bit disappointed - it seemed to lack the colorful style and intrigue of the other episodes. Having seen it now a couple of times since, I feel better disposed to it, and it has a starkness and simplicity that have grown on me. The story of a man dying in jail, having been wrongly convicted of the murder of his wife years earlier, develops quite well as we go, if quite slowly - and the fact that he appears as a 'ghost' in his own past is a clever idea that adds a sense of forboding and makes for an unsettling atmosphere.

The Cornish locations are lovely, but they seem to detract from the usual familiarly and claustrophobia of some of the other stories, and seem to make this story perhaps less focused and effective that maybe it could have been.

The feeling of being in 'the past' isn't completely convincing either - Lesley Dunlop's spiky 80s haircut for instance feels a bit incongruous! Having said that, there's a clever and satisfying twist at the end that finishes the story quite neatly, but you do need to stay the course.

Maybe not one of the more memorable episodes, but still plenty to enjoy and a good contrast to some of the other perhaps better-drawn and more extreme stories of this underrated series.

Nice

[gianmarcoronconi · 6/10 · 9 September 2022]

This episode has a very big problem, that is, wanting to make a very complex plot simple and in doing so they make it even more complicated by absurdity. Especially at the beginning of the episode we understand practically nothing, but really nothing and in general up to the middle we understand very little, then the episode meshes well. However, there are many plot holes and there are even too many inconsistencies and slightly wrong plot choices. Despite everything, the idea that the story is cyclical and that he himself is actually the possible cause of his ills is very nice, a really nice idea that enriches the plot in a beautiful and intelligent way.

A man lies dying in prison; he has something on his mind...

[mrskildare · 10/10 · 19 March 2001]

A dying man who has been in prison for many years for a crime he did not commit, returns to the scene to solve it. If you are a fan of the supernatural and you love the rugged Cornish coastline - then you will probably enjoy this film. Filmed at Mullion Cove and the Mullion Hotel, David Carradine and Stephanie Beacham make an unlikely couple but, nonetheless, the story has a little twist at the end - don't expect any big surprises though. Followers of Carradine and Beacham may well enjoy it just for that reason.

Did Bill Kill?

[Coventry · 5/10 · 28 April 2022]

This short film in the "Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense" series definitely has an original concept and interesting narrative structure, but the paradoxes and time-loops are enough to make any logical person go crazy. The story opens with an elderly Michael Harris (chameleon-actor David Carradine), dying in the prison cell where he spent many years for a murder he didn't commit. In his final moments, he spiritually travels back in time, to the remote island resort where he supposedly killed his mistress Rosemary Richardson. In his elderly shape, he confronts his former mistress as well as his younger self, but by doing so he indirectly also contributed to the crime and his own prison sentence. The basic premise is intriguing, and the performances of Carradine and Stephanie Beacham are fine, but the tale is overlong and certain parts are dull. This is only my second episode of Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, but both are only mediocre. I hope the quality of rest of the series will improve.

David Carradine and Stephanie Beacham's finest!

[manchester_england2004 · 9/10 · 20 February 2010]

A DISTANT SCREAM is one of the best episodes of the HAMMER HOUSE OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE series.

The TV series in question was a combination of hits and misses. Some episodes had wonderful concepts but became bogged down in very boring 1980s drama styles, with upper middle-class characters exchanging boring dialogue with each other. Most 1980s drama in Britain was executed along these lines. On the other hand, some episodes of this TV series were genuine exercises in suspense, tension and genuine horror. A DISTANT SCREAM is one such episode. Another is THE CORVINI INHERITANCE. But the best of the lot is IN POSSESSION.

The plot is as follows - a dying man, Michael, spends his final moments languishing in prison for a murder he claims he did not commit. Action moves to his past where he is travelling to Cornwall with his lover, Rosemary. Rosemary begins seeing visions of Michael as an older man. Is it really him? If so, why is he there? Watch and find out as I refuse to reveal anything more.

I can imagine many movie buffs boasting about the predictability of the storyline. However, I disagree completely. Without revealing spoilers, I can say that the story could have gone in one of at least two different directions, each of which would have been interesting in their own right.

Like IN POSSESSION, execution of A DISTANT SCREAM is more akin to a movie than an episode of a TV series and that is only its first strength.

The second strength is the acting.

David Carradine's performance as Michael and his alter-ego was both scary and emotionally moving at the same time. Whilst I always acknowledge David Carradine as a great actor, I have failed to find anything with his name attached to it that was as compelling as A DISTANT SCREAM. This is why I claim it is his finest work.

Likewise, Stephanie Beacham's performance as Rosemary is also superb. Ms Beacham has appeared in plenty of works that I have enjoyed. However, A DISTANT SCREAM is perhaps her best starring role.

On a downward note, the supporting cast are given too little to do. Lesley Dunlop in particular seems wasted here.

The third strength is the direction. John Hough is famous for directing the horror masterpiece, THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE. Whilst, A DISTANT SCREAM is a somewhat lesser work, Mr. Hough re-uses some elements from his prior work.

The atmosphere is suitably foreboding. The quaint but seemingly deserted hotel proves a magnificent setting. The initial scenes of the apparition that appears to be Michael as an old man are suitably subtle but do suggest a sinister element and possible malevolent intent.

The story unravels in a highly intelligent manner. A combination of deliberate misdirection, red herrings and blurring of two seemingly distinct realities make for compelling viewing. The story becomes more and more emotionally moving as the truth unravels.

As with all the best episodes of HAMMER HOUSE OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE, this one has an absolutely superb ending that ties things up perfectly and leaves a memorable impression on the mind of the viewer.

Overall, A DISTANT SCREAM is an excellent combination of horror, suspense and emotionally moving drama that works like a charm. I highly recommend it for fans of David Carradine and Stephanie Beacham.

Average at best.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 5/10 · 6 December 2023]

Michael lays on his deathbed from a Prison call, he's given the chance to look back at the events which led to his incarceration.

Only my second episode, I think I'd rate it, as with the previous one as watchable, but no more, decent viewing, hardly what I was hoping for from Hammer.

Great ideas, there was some real imagination shown here, but after a very interesting beginning, I felt that it fell a little bit flat. I thought the idea of Rosemary being haunted was great, but once everyone was able to see Michael, I thought the wheels fell off the wagon somewhat.

David Carradine is ok, I'm not sure I found him totally convincing as the older version of himself, Stephanie Beacham also performed fairly well I thought. Stephen Grief was somewhat underused.

5/10.

Rather dull

[analoguebubblebath · 4/10 · 20 October 2003]

First viewing: November 1984 / Second viewing: October 2003

Easily the weakest in the `Hammer House Of Mystery And Suspense' series, `A Distant Scream' is a rather incomprehensible and dull ghost story. David Carradine and Stephanie Beacham bring style and substance to their respective roles but the weak and predictable script does them no favours. Some bonuses - the rugged and beautiful coastline - not unlike the superior `Paint Me A Murder' and the sight of Stephanie in a variety of flattering screen shots. However `Kill Bill' this most certainly is not. 4/10