A Good old fashion ghost story. The only problem I had with this well acted film was the season. The filming is meant to take place in an English winter. Unfortunately every tree and bush is covered in leaves. The case may be that global warming is having a bigger impact in England than previously thought. Mr Cole gives his usual excellent performance. Ms Scales also provides her usual high standards, but we are still waiting for the ghost of Basil through out. I may be faulty on that, but there are towers of a sort. I have never come across Jon Newman before, but I am sure I will again. The film takes it's self a bit serious, and could have done with a few more lighter moments. Expanding on this type of story may lead to a decent modern Ghost story film for adults in the future. Wes Craven watch and learn. Bruce.
17 Reviews
Cheap and derivative, but it could be worse
Leofwine_draca27 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
THE GHOST OF GREVILLE LODGE is another British ghost story aimed at young audiences. Apparently based on a novel, it's an entirely derivative work about a troubled young man who comes to stay at an ancestral home and soon finds himself dreaming memories of past events from half a century previously.
The story has much in common with the likes of MOONDIAL, FROM TIME TO TIME, TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN, THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE, and THE CHILDREN OF GREEN KNOWE, and dare I say it, is a bit of a rip-off. Everything feels derivative and familiar. Even worse, it's also a very cheap film that looks like it was made for TV, although the IMDb doesn't indicate that this was so.
The big surprise here is that THE GHOST OF GREVILLE LODGE turns out to be not bad, despite all the problems. The plot keeps you watching and the social and class issues raised remain interesting. The historical milieu is particularly of interest, but one of the best things about the production is the setting of Chavenage House in Gloucestershire. This old building has plenty of atmosphere and ends up a character in itself. Casting wise, the film is adequate, hugely benefiting from the presence of a pair of old timers, George Cole and Prunella Scales, who make a nice double act. This might not be the best of its type, but it's an amiable timewaster all the same.
The story has much in common with the likes of MOONDIAL, FROM TIME TO TIME, TOM'S MIDNIGHT GARDEN, THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE, and THE CHILDREN OF GREEN KNOWE, and dare I say it, is a bit of a rip-off. Everything feels derivative and familiar. Even worse, it's also a very cheap film that looks like it was made for TV, although the IMDb doesn't indicate that this was so.
The big surprise here is that THE GHOST OF GREVILLE LODGE turns out to be not bad, despite all the problems. The plot keeps you watching and the social and class issues raised remain interesting. The historical milieu is particularly of interest, but one of the best things about the production is the setting of Chavenage House in Gloucestershire. This old building has plenty of atmosphere and ends up a character in itself. Casting wise, the film is adequate, hugely benefiting from the presence of a pair of old timers, George Cole and Prunella Scales, who make a nice double act. This might not be the best of its type, but it's an amiable timewaster all the same.
charming low budget ghosts
mail-201-219661 January 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Being a fan of Prunella Scales, I had to see this film. The ghost story is really rather good. It's not gory, and contains an ultimately moral and uplifting message, and is therefore suitable for children. In fact, it's probably aimed at children more than anyone else, but is still watchable on a dull afternoon. It does have a low-budget feel to it, there being no special effects for the ghosts, and the performance of the child actors reminds me of a school play at times. The camera angles are too static and the lighting too flat in some scenes, and more music would be welcome to add atmosphere. If Spielberg made a film of this though, it could be a classic.
M R James meets L P Hartley
JamesHitchcock7 April 2020
James Greville is a teenager who has lived in children's homes ever since being orphaned as a child. He has always assumed that he has no living relatives, so is surprised when he learns that he has a great uncle who has invited him to stay at his home in the countryside, an old manor house named Greville Lodge. James does not, however, find life at Greville Lodge much to his taste. His great uncle is a quiet, lonely and reclusive old man, living with only his elderly housekeeper Sarah for company. His manner seems to hint at some great sadness in his distant past. Apart from Sarah, the only friend James makes is Billy, the eccentric gravedigger at the local church, who has a strange, unsettling manner.
To make matters worse, James becomes convinced that the house is haunted and that mysterious figures are watching him. He begins to have strange dreams in which he is another James Greville, in this case the son of the owner of the house back in 1939. This James Greville has formed a close friendship with Ben, an orphan who has been employed by his father as an assistant to the gamekeeper. James, however, needs to keep this friendship a secret from his autocratic father, who would not approve of his son fraternising with members of the servant class. As the film progresses we learn about the tragedy which struck the house one Christmas and which explains the sorrow which has haunted James's great uncle for so long.
Jon Newman, who plays James in both his modern-day and 1939 incarnations, is not particularly memorable, but there are good contributions from two senior members of the British acting profession, George Cole as Great Uncle and Prunella Scales as Sarah. The film is an intriguing mixture of ghost story and period drama, a sort of M R James meets L P Hartley. There is a strong narrative drive; the story is clearly and succinctly presented and the action builds inexorably to its shattering climax when we discover the tragic secret of Greville Lodge. This is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of entertainment.
A goof. The modern-day scenes are supposed to take place around Christmas, whereas those set in 1939 , apart from the climax, take place in late summer and autumn. The entire film, however, must have been filmed in summer, because we see trees in full leaf even in those scenes which are supposed to be set in December.
To make matters worse, James becomes convinced that the house is haunted and that mysterious figures are watching him. He begins to have strange dreams in which he is another James Greville, in this case the son of the owner of the house back in 1939. This James Greville has formed a close friendship with Ben, an orphan who has been employed by his father as an assistant to the gamekeeper. James, however, needs to keep this friendship a secret from his autocratic father, who would not approve of his son fraternising with members of the servant class. As the film progresses we learn about the tragedy which struck the house one Christmas and which explains the sorrow which has haunted James's great uncle for so long.
Jon Newman, who plays James in both his modern-day and 1939 incarnations, is not particularly memorable, but there are good contributions from two senior members of the British acting profession, George Cole as Great Uncle and Prunella Scales as Sarah. The film is an intriguing mixture of ghost story and period drama, a sort of M R James meets L P Hartley. There is a strong narrative drive; the story is clearly and succinctly presented and the action builds inexorably to its shattering climax when we discover the tragic secret of Greville Lodge. This is a thoroughly enjoyable piece of entertainment.
A goof. The modern-day scenes are supposed to take place around Christmas, whereas those set in 1939 , apart from the climax, take place in late summer and autumn. The entire film, however, must have been filmed in summer, because we see trees in full leaf even in those scenes which are supposed to be set in December.
Disappointing to say the least! Cheesy, and not worth watching!
sidesix31 October 2009
I'm not quite sure where all the rest of the comments are coming from?! Maybe there are some people who don't notice poor scriptwriting and shoddy acting.
To begin with, the actors are wooden and cheesy. Prunella Scales does a good job, but the main character is played by a guy who just has little acting skill. Its all smiles and politeness from a teenager.
I think if you're sitting down as a family with 5-8 year olds, they MAY, (emphasis on MAY) get spooked out... once or twice. But you could see everything coming. The language/dialect/speech was so false. It just really felt written. As if this was perhaps written by a university student learning the ropes of scriptwriting.
A good movie should feel natural, and all of this movie felt acted. There are enough clichés in this film to fill your trick & treat bag 10 fold! Its a shame, because I've never felt I've disliked a movie so much to write a comment, but I actually felt the need to register just for this one! If you want a good comedy-ghost movie-parody, you're in for a treat. If you're looking for a good family scary movie, there are about 100+ better ones out there to chose from!
To begin with, the actors are wooden and cheesy. Prunella Scales does a good job, but the main character is played by a guy who just has little acting skill. Its all smiles and politeness from a teenager.
I think if you're sitting down as a family with 5-8 year olds, they MAY, (emphasis on MAY) get spooked out... once or twice. But you could see everything coming. The language/dialect/speech was so false. It just really felt written. As if this was perhaps written by a university student learning the ropes of scriptwriting.
A good movie should feel natural, and all of this movie felt acted. There are enough clichés in this film to fill your trick & treat bag 10 fold! Its a shame, because I've never felt I've disliked a movie so much to write a comment, but I actually felt the need to register just for this one! If you want a good comedy-ghost movie-parody, you're in for a treat. If you're looking for a good family scary movie, there are about 100+ better ones out there to chose from!
The house might be a little dodgy maybe
Prismark105 November 2018
This should had been a charming ghost story.
Teenager James Greville has lived in a children's home since the death of his parents. He discovers that he has a Great Uncle living in a vast mansion, Greville Lodge. James goes to stay with him and the housekeeper over Christmas to get to know him.
At night James hear strange noises and when venturing to a part of the mansion he finds himself transported to the past, a time when his great uncle was a young lad. James finds out that he has visited a time when a tragedy took place in Greville Lodge that still affects his great uncle and the housekeeper.
This should be family film for everyone to enjoy. The trouble is the film is just derivative and dull. The lad playing the main lead is plain. Even George Cole is a little bit lifeless which is a shame. It all looks a little low budget and I can see the kids getting easily bored.
Teenager James Greville has lived in a children's home since the death of his parents. He discovers that he has a Great Uncle living in a vast mansion, Greville Lodge. James goes to stay with him and the housekeeper over Christmas to get to know him.
At night James hear strange noises and when venturing to a part of the mansion he finds himself transported to the past, a time when his great uncle was a young lad. James finds out that he has visited a time when a tragedy took place in Greville Lodge that still affects his great uncle and the housekeeper.
This should be family film for everyone to enjoy. The trouble is the film is just derivative and dull. The lad playing the main lead is plain. Even George Cole is a little bit lifeless which is a shame. It all looks a little low budget and I can see the kids getting easily bored.
Like a bad children's TV drama from the nineties.
unyan6 November 2019
Very enjoyable and spooky ghost story
chris_gaskin12321 February 2005
I taped The Ghost Of Greville Lodge when ITV screened it one morning during the Christmas holiday of 2004. I found it rather spooky and very enjoyable.
A teenage boy who has lived in a children's' home for most of his life is invited to stay with his Great Uncle at his manor house, Greville Lodge at holiday time. What the boy doesn't know is that the manor is haunted. When there, he explores the manor and its grounds and comes across its many secrets. These include sealed doors and he opens one of them one night and we then learn of Greville Lodge's many secrets...
I found this movie very spooky at times, especially the night time scenes.
The cast includes veteran stars George Cole (Minder) and Prunella Scales (Faulty Towers). The teenage boy is played by Jon Newman. All play good parts.
The Ghost Of Greville Lodge is worth seeing if you get the chance.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
A teenage boy who has lived in a children's' home for most of his life is invited to stay with his Great Uncle at his manor house, Greville Lodge at holiday time. What the boy doesn't know is that the manor is haunted. When there, he explores the manor and its grounds and comes across its many secrets. These include sealed doors and he opens one of them one night and we then learn of Greville Lodge's many secrets...
I found this movie very spooky at times, especially the night time scenes.
The cast includes veteran stars George Cole (Minder) and Prunella Scales (Faulty Towers). The teenage boy is played by Jon Newman. All play good parts.
The Ghost Of Greville Lodge is worth seeing if you get the chance.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5.
Christmas Day 1939
hitchcockthelegend15 October 2012
The Ghost of Greville Lodge is directed by Niall Johnson, who also adapts to screenplay from the novel Down Came A Blackbird written by Nicholas Wilde. It stars George Cole, Prunella Scales, Kevin Howarth, Jon Newman, Billy Smith and Rebecca Weeks. Music is by Sam Parker and Craig Johnson and cinematography by Gordon Hickie.
Teenager James Greville (Newman) has spent most of his youth living in children's homes after the death of his parents when he was just six years old. Out of the blue he gets an invite to stay for Christmas with a Great Uncle at Greville Lodge. Once there he settles in quickly and spends his time exploring the vast lodge and the quaint village nearby. Soon, though, James comes to find that Greville Lodge holds some secrets and that he is in fact the catalyst for those secrets to come out in the open.
Anyone who is familiar with, and likes, The Amazing Mr. Blunden from 1972, will have no problems enjoying this delightful family friendly ghost story. Blending its supernatural heart with a time travelling scenario, film goes exactly where you would expect it to go. It's not the scary kind of ghost story to chill the spine, though there is an ethereal eeriness about certain passages that should make the younger viewers tingle with a suspicion of the unknown. The acting is very competent and the period design for the 1939 segments is splendid in its eye appealing efficiency. A film of this type lives or dies by its ending and thankfully the finale here is excellently put together and hits all the right emotional notes. So have a Kleenex handy just in case.
Really well put together and narratively strong, this is very much recommended to those in search of a Mr. Blunden type ghost story. 7.5/10
Teenager James Greville (Newman) has spent most of his youth living in children's homes after the death of his parents when he was just six years old. Out of the blue he gets an invite to stay for Christmas with a Great Uncle at Greville Lodge. Once there he settles in quickly and spends his time exploring the vast lodge and the quaint village nearby. Soon, though, James comes to find that Greville Lodge holds some secrets and that he is in fact the catalyst for those secrets to come out in the open.
Anyone who is familiar with, and likes, The Amazing Mr. Blunden from 1972, will have no problems enjoying this delightful family friendly ghost story. Blending its supernatural heart with a time travelling scenario, film goes exactly where you would expect it to go. It's not the scary kind of ghost story to chill the spine, though there is an ethereal eeriness about certain passages that should make the younger viewers tingle with a suspicion of the unknown. The acting is very competent and the period design for the 1939 segments is splendid in its eye appealing efficiency. A film of this type lives or dies by its ending and thankfully the finale here is excellently put together and hits all the right emotional notes. So have a Kleenex handy just in case.
Really well put together and narratively strong, this is very much recommended to those in search of a Mr. Blunden type ghost story. 7.5/10
Very nicely done.
nova-634 December 2011
I had never seen this film on television here in Canada and I purchased the DVD solely based on the reviews found at Amazon UK. After all who doesn't love a Christmastime ghost story. I just finished watching this with my wife and we were not disappointed. The story builds slowly but with suspense. A young lad, James (Jon Newman), is reunited with a great Uncle (George Cole) he never knew he had. James travels to the country to Greville Lodge where his uncle lives. Both James and his uncle are very nice people but the uncle is somewhat somber.
James soon begins to have dreams that are connected to Greville Lodge. He dreams he is a lad much like himself and he befriends a boy and a girl who worked at Grenville Lodge many years before. Why are these strange dreams happening? There is a mystery for James to unravel. Something happened many years ago that still affects his uncle. Eventually James comes to believe that if he can unravel the past perhaps he can bring some joy to his solemn uncle.
This is not a horror film with exploding skulls and gargoyles (Thank heavens). It is a gentle ghost story, superbly written and well acted. I recommend it highly as a family Christmas movie.
James soon begins to have dreams that are connected to Greville Lodge. He dreams he is a lad much like himself and he befriends a boy and a girl who worked at Grenville Lodge many years before. Why are these strange dreams happening? There is a mystery for James to unravel. Something happened many years ago that still affects his uncle. Eventually James comes to believe that if he can unravel the past perhaps he can bring some joy to his solemn uncle.
This is not a horror film with exploding skulls and gargoyles (Thank heavens). It is a gentle ghost story, superbly written and well acted. I recommend it highly as a family Christmas movie.
A real golden film in an era that has lost its shine.
william_gray8 January 2004
I have to say that I am not a fan of George Cole. That aside this film has the quality of the films of the Golden era. If this was in black and white you would think it was an oscar winner.
The acting is good and direction clear, the flashback effect is good and gives a lovely feeling of memories.
All in all a great film and one that should get more notice from the "bosses" in the industry.
The acting is good and direction clear, the flashback effect is good and gives a lovely feeling of memories.
All in all a great film and one that should get more notice from the "bosses" in the industry.
A top class family ghost story with top class acting
pcbigbrother16 March 2003
This film was brilliantly directed and cleverly filmed. Good choice of actors to play all parts, a very strong principal cast. Clever contrast by using a slow pace for modern day scenes compared to faster delivery of the scenes set back in 1945. Acting by young newcomers Billy Smith, Rebecca Weeks and Jon Newman was fresh and inspiring to see them alongside acting veterans Prunella Scales and George Cole. I'm sure this will not be the last we will see of these upcoming young stars. Good direction by director Naill Johnson together with a well thought out script and use of interesting camera shots. This film is a must see for all the family. 10/10
The Ghost of Greville Lodge
JB-97 November 2005
The Ghost of Greville Lodge was so enjoyable in every way. I had it taped and watched it over and over. The only fault I could find was with the quality of the sound. Perhaps it was the video tape I was using.
It contained all the necessary ingredients, Fear, sadness and love. Prunella Scales is always guaranteed to give a good performance.
It had a feel of one of those strange things that happen in our lives from time to time and never gets explained.We don't see enough of these type of productions. Lovely location too. I especially like the scene with the Christmas tree. I write short stories from time to time and this has encouraged me to do so more.
It contained all the necessary ingredients, Fear, sadness and love. Prunella Scales is always guaranteed to give a good performance.
It had a feel of one of those strange things that happen in our lives from time to time and never gets explained.We don't see enough of these type of productions. Lovely location too. I especially like the scene with the Christmas tree. I write short stories from time to time and this has encouraged me to do so more.
Very spooky!
TC-Batsy24 June 2002
An interesting film about a teenager James who discovers that he has a great uncle who invites him to stay at his lodge for two weeks to spend the holiday. The boy tries to unlock the mysteries of the ancient residence after having strange dreams during the night, seeing ghosts with his own eyes, and finding himself in the image of a young man in the late 30's. The house had lots of painful memories for the uncle and his housekeeper Sarah whose brother was killed in the fire. This film is probably the best because it's based on a novel written by Nicholas Wilde.
A love story
jromanbaker31 October 2019
There is a strange feel about this film, and as I watched it I thought more of L. P. Hartley and E. M. Forster. There is an aching love story at the heart of this film, and the love is there between two young men and one of the young men's sister. A lot is not made explicit, as if that love was more of a ghost in their lives than any outer occurrence. It is I believe the viewer's right to interpret film, because unlike a book a lot can be read in the actor's faces and their unspoken words and their gestures. It is not a great film, but it is a very good one marred slightly by the stupid fault of green leaves everywhere at Christmas and a slight feeling that the direction could have been slightly better. Prunella Scales says more in a glance than a thousand words and she is a great actress. But it is Billy Smith who steals the film, and he was perfect casting. I found George Cole to be the weakest element and the lead actor took a while to engage me. That said I think the film will last the years, and despite it being ostensibly a ghost story it is the lasting memory of a lost love which really haunts the film. It is well worth watching, more than once for the nuances, and fortunately in the UK the indispensable Talking Pictures Channel has it in its repertoire. Watch it if you can and like ghosts it depends very much on subjective interpretation.
Don't expect it to be Hitchcock! Classic British Gothic Manor Mystery
madamzepp28 December 2017
I LOVED watching this movie as a kid, and taped it off of TV as a child. I would watch it over and over! It left such an impression with me that as an adult I looked it up to watch again.
I was fully expecting my adult self to have a "why did I think this was good when I was a kid because it is clearly crap" moment. I actually really enjoyed it as an adult as much as when I was a kid :)
A few caveats: I LOVE all British mysteries. Especially those classic "things that go bump in the night" gothic stories. I am a nerd.
Yes- it is cheaply made. It was shot on video (not film) so it has that "TV" look to it. Yes- the acting is far from Oscar-worthy. Yes- it was probably made for kids. Yes- it is from the (gasp) 90s. So what!?
They actually do a surprisingly great job on the musical score to this movie. Watching as an adult I really noticed how the music added to the feeling of each scene. You will hear everything from organs to harpsichords, and the prevalent dissonant string theme used throughout really lends to giving an eerie feeling to some scenes.
In conclusion: If you are the kind of person who loves old British manors, things that go bump in the night, a good mystery, and are not too picky about technical aspects, then you will be entertained.
Not all movies set out to win Best Motion Picture. If you agree with that, then you just may end up loving this little gem of a movie as much as I (still) do.
I was fully expecting my adult self to have a "why did I think this was good when I was a kid because it is clearly crap" moment. I actually really enjoyed it as an adult as much as when I was a kid :)
A few caveats: I LOVE all British mysteries. Especially those classic "things that go bump in the night" gothic stories. I am a nerd.
Yes- it is cheaply made. It was shot on video (not film) so it has that "TV" look to it. Yes- the acting is far from Oscar-worthy. Yes- it was probably made for kids. Yes- it is from the (gasp) 90s. So what!?
They actually do a surprisingly great job on the musical score to this movie. Watching as an adult I really noticed how the music added to the feeling of each scene. You will hear everything from organs to harpsichords, and the prevalent dissonant string theme used throughout really lends to giving an eerie feeling to some scenes.
In conclusion: If you are the kind of person who loves old British manors, things that go bump in the night, a good mystery, and are not too picky about technical aspects, then you will be entertained.
Not all movies set out to win Best Motion Picture. If you agree with that, then you just may end up loving this little gem of a movie as much as I (still) do.
Anything with George Cole
Makkers131 December 2023
A very pleasant and charming spectral story with the very much missed George Cole.
Set amidst a sleepy village where James, a young man from a care home, goes to live in a mansion owned by his great uncle.
There is of course a backstory involving his great uncle. Turmoil and grief.
James is visited by apparitions that hint at a tragedy that befell the mansion in the distant past. The story meanders through the past and present where we learn of the friendship between child servants and the son of the master of the house.
It's a gentle drama that can be watched by the whole family. Prunella Scales plays the housemaid that's been working in the family for generations, she and the great uncle share a history.
It lacks a high budget production but perhaps that contributes to the beauty of the film. Well recommended.
Set amidst a sleepy village where James, a young man from a care home, goes to live in a mansion owned by his great uncle.
There is of course a backstory involving his great uncle. Turmoil and grief.
James is visited by apparitions that hint at a tragedy that befell the mansion in the distant past. The story meanders through the past and present where we learn of the friendship between child servants and the son of the master of the house.
It's a gentle drama that can be watched by the whole family. Prunella Scales plays the housemaid that's been working in the family for generations, she and the great uncle share a history.
It lacks a high budget production but perhaps that contributes to the beauty of the film. Well recommended.
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