Moondial

"Moondial" is a 1988 paranormal tv drama, originally released as mini series. It was directed by Colin Cant and stars Siri Neal, Arthur Hewlett and Jacqueline Pearce. 

The heroine of this is a teenaged girl named Minty, who stays with her godmother for a short while and she explores the village, only to find a mysterious sundial. It transports her through time and she encounters a boy who seems able to see her although no one else from his time can. There are ghost children in the old house, who might be in danger from a dark entity. 

This was made for children although it was creepy and touches on the occult. Revisiting my childhood watching this again. Today's youth may find it old fashioned. Filmed at Belton House in Lincolnshire. This was based on the novel "Moondial" by Helen Cresswell.  It was rereleased as a film for DVD in 2015. I give this nice gothic story a 6/10. The sundial itself is real and not a studio prop, it belongs to the manor house and all of it is protected as a listed building.  

Blood Strawberry 

Nightmare Castle

 

This 1965 film was originally called "Nightmare Castle" or officially "Amanti d'otretomba", but has since been renamed "The Faceless Monster". Directed by Mario Caiano, and stars Barbara Steele, Paul Muller and Helga Liné. 

A mad scientist murders his wife Muriel and her secret lover in a greenhouse, during a fit of jealous rage. He then uses his dead wife's blood to make eternal youth possible, that he gives to his elderly mother. There was a conspiracy between him and his mother all along to get at Muriel's castle and money, which seems to have worked but greed got better of them both, when he marries Jenny, the mad sister of Muriel. 

The same actress plays both Muriel and her sister Jenny. This is a ghost film with some atmosphere and tension, nice sets and gorgeous costumes. Really elegant style of horror that is mostly night time and shadowy. The director Mario Caiano was inspired to make this because of his love of all things gothic and especially after reading Edgar Allan Poe. 

I rate this classy horror film 8/10.   

Blood Strawberry