A film that highlights three things:  firstly, the transformation of a very successful stage play that’s been running forever, it seems, into a film; secondly, Daniel Radcliffe’s debut in a serious dramatic role and thus, importantly, leaving behind Harry Potter; thirdly, it marks a significant re-entry for the old, very British Hammer studios, once a stalwart home for the horror genre, and this movie is certainly of that ilk.

For those of you who have not seen the theatre version, or read the book by Susan Hill, I’ll give you a rundown of events.  Young lawyer, Arthur Kipps (Daniel) has recently lost his young wife and is a single father to his little boy.  His firm sends him northwards to wind up the affairs of the late owner of Eel Marsh house.  The place is very eerie and he keeps seeing the woman in black, all over the place, which is odd because she’s dead.  The nearby village is, to say the least, unwelcome.  He befriends a local well to do (Ciaran Hinds) whose own son has died mysteriously. Together they try to unravel the bizarre and haunting tale of the Woman in Black.

To reveal too much would spoil your enjoyment.  Daniel is fine in his coming of age part, and Jane Goldman’s script is a chilling adaptation.  See if you like to be frightened.