Based upon the supposed haunting of Borley Rectory in Essex Steven M Smith tells the infamous tale which weaves in and around true events.
The Haunting of Borley Rectory is set in 1944, years after the Rectory burnt to the ground. Regardless of the building being all but rubble spooky visions are still being witnessed at the site. A shell shocked American soldier is based nearby and after forming a friendship with a girl from the village learns of Borley’s haunted history.
With a malevolent presence getting ever stronger ghost hunter Harry Price is called on the scene to get to the bottom of these paranormal events.
The Haunting Of Borley Rectory Review
Capitalising on the success of The Nun, The Haunting of Borley Rectory uses a nun of their own to conjure its own tale.
Hats off to the costume / special effects department once again. Similar to Doll Cemetery the quality of special effects on show here is impressive. They really stand head and shoulders amongst many other films in this budget category.
Whilst the film states on the cover that it’s based on true events the movie does dot it’s own i’s and cross it’s own t’s in many places. Skipping around the basics and embellishing on a few truths to weave a tale.
The cinematography really is something to behold. The film is incredibly well shot and certainly looks like a well polished looking indie flick. However, with many of Steven M Smith’s films, I feel the script lets down what is always an ever improving product.
As the Cinematography, SPFX and acting improve the material they need to work from must also improve. In Doll Cemetery the acting sadly let the film down as well as rather drawn out scenes that got a little tedious.
The Haunting of Borley Rectory contains many scenes that drag on with rather mundane dialogue and dragged out scenes.
Whilst at times the movie feels like The Haunting of Boring Rectory, be patient.
There are genuinely scary moments dotted around and a whole host of good acting on display. A stand out performer of this particular feature would be Zach Clifford who plays our lead character, Robert. He’s relatable and believable and carries the narrative almost single-handed.
Conclusion
Many of Steven’s films have stand-out highlights that really show some incredible potential in the indie film realm.
If all the positives from previous productions were thrown into a cauldron you’d have one hell of a production. Sadly The Haunting of Borley Rectory falls way short of the mark.
Review by Sean Evans
*Photo Credit – Gaz De Vere*
Summary
The Haunting of Borley Rectory certainly has its spooky moments but sadly the orbiting storyline around those moments drags on far too long to grip my attention.
