Richard Loncraine’s almost forgotten ghost story features Mia Farrow as Julia Lofting, a young mother grieving the loss of her eight-year-old daughter who moves to London to restart her life and finds herself stalked by the ghost of another child, a vicious little brat who led a gang of 1930s children in the brutal murder of a young German boy.
The film was the first of a series of Anglo-Canadian co-productions (hence the always-welcome presence of Keir Dullea, a regular in Canadian films of the time, as Julia’s estranged husband).
It all takes a while to get going but culminates in an unexpectedly moving finale that does indeed bring the story full circle.
A decade on from Rosemary’s Baby (1968), Farrow is still struggling with an unearthly child, heading a top-notch cast that also features Tom Conti, Cathleen Nesbitt, Peter Sallis and a young Sophie Ward in her film debut as Julia’s ill-fated daughter.
Julia Lofting
Mia Farrow Magnus Lofting
Keir Dullea Mark Berkeley
Tom Conti Lily Lofting
Jill Bennett David Swift
Robin Gammell Heather Rudge
Cathleen Nesbitt Mrs Fludd
Anna Wing Captain Paul Winter
Edward Hardwicke Greta Braden
Mary Morris Claudia Branscombe
Pauline Jameson Jeffrey Branscombe
Peter Sallis Mr Piggott
Arthur Howard Miss Pinner
Damaris Hayman Mrs Ward
Susan Porrett Kate Lofting
Sophie Ward Katherine
Hilda Fenemore Mrs Flood’s Niece
Yvonne Edgell Estate agent
Nigel Havers Doctor
Denis Lill Olivia Rudge
Samantha Gates
Director
Richard Loncraine
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