Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Whistle and I'll Come to You

      1968 List
      Reviews 91% Audience Score 100+ Ratings Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (2) Critics Reviews
      Melanie McFarland Salon.com It is no small boast to make on behalf of the 1968 film to call it a work richer and more resonant than what I have no problem saying is James' best ghost story. Oct 30, 2017 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com …the mother lode when it comes to festive scares… Rated: 5/5 Dec 7, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (23) audience reviews
      Alec B "Whistle and I'll Come to You" falls short of delivering any kind of a compelling viewing experience. The film's subpar production quality, even considering its late 1960s TV origins, adds an unfortunate layer of distraction to an already underwhelming narrative. The slow pacing and monotonous tone, akin to Michael Hordern's whisper and grunts in the film, contribute to an overall sense of dullness. There is almost no dialogue aside from "old man noises" that Hordern makes throughout. The film's feeble attempt at injecting spookiness only materializes in the last five minutes, leaving audiences waiting in vain for a more engaging and consistently eerie atmosphere. Despite its historical context, the film struggles to captivate and deliver the anticipated thrills, resulting in a disappointing watch for those seeking genuine, mid-century chills. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A perfectly crafted short-film adaptation of a classic ghost story, this is a masterpiece of understated and chillingly effective story-telling. Michael Hordon is brilliant as a man bought up to - and well beyond - the limits of his intellect and philosophy, which he had up to now thought were all-encompassing. The final few minutes are unforgettable, and it's hard to imagine a better example of the less-is-more approach to film-making, especially in the horror genre. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member This film shares some details with the original story but is quite different overall. Either way, it's worth watching. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Fun low-key creeper version of the M R James story. Ends rather abruptly, but is worth a watch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Two BBC television versions of an M. R. James ghost story (published in 1904) involving a lonely professor who finds an object (a whistle in the original) that seems to invoke a spirit that then haunts him (mostly at night, while asleep, but also on a lonely British beach). The 1968 version, in black & white and featuring Michael Hordem (Marley in the 1951 A Christmas Carol), is far superior, with some genuine creepy moments, even if the special effects are totally old-school (well, probably better for it!). The 2010 version, starring John Hurt, tries to build a modern subplot about Alzheimer's disease into the otherwise spare story and ramps up the night terrors to some full-strength banging on the door. Hurt is good (as usual) but the story loses some of its mystery when it becomes more about strong bonds of love than about unknown spectres. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member excellent English ghost story Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Movie Info

      Director
      Jonathan Miller