M.R. James: Ghost Writer
Mark Gatiss steps into the mind of M.R. James, the English master of the supernatural tale, attempting to uncover the inspiration behind stories that chill readers a century on.
Mark Gatiss steps into the mind of M.R. James, the enigmatic English master of the supernatural story. How did this donnish Victorian bachelor, conservative by nature and a devout Anglican, come to create tales that continue to chill readers more than a century on?
Mark attempts to uncover the secrets of James's inspiration, taking an atmospheric journey from James's childhood home in Suffolk to Eton, Cambridge and France, venturing into ancient churches, dark cloisters and echoing libraries along the way.
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Clips
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The Cathedral at St Bertrand de Comminges
Duration: 01:41
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M.R. James unveils his first ghost stories
Duration: 01:13
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Web exclusive: Passages from Canon Alberic's Scrapbook
Duration: 01:23
Web exclusives
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Mark Gatiss |
| Producer | John Das |
| Director | John Das |
| Executive Producer | Michael Poole |
| MR James | Robert Lloyd Parry |
| Chitchat Society Member | Martin Bassindale |
| Chitchat Society Member | Adam Collier |
| Chitchat Society Member | Harry de Moraville |
| Chitchat Society Member | Peter Edwards |
| Chitchat Society Member | Alec Fellows-Bennett |
Broadcasts
Featured in...
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Ghost Stories
BBC Four presents a night of classic chilling stories.
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In Profile
Famous names as you've never seen them, and a spotlight on legendary figures.
The Tractate Middoth
In a special "Ghost Story for Christmas" Mark Gatiss directs "The Tractate Middoth".
