The Enfield Poltergeist

...This is how to make a documentary.

The Enfield Poltergeist, arguably, checks all the required boxes with regard to making a documentary.

There are no bombastic statements to be had here. Instead there is ample research into "a case". There is an eloquently balanced presentation of various facts and hypotheses where "all sides" are allowed to; not only present their views on a series of happenings, but also explain the rationale behind their conclusions.

For some documentaries the primary objective is to present a conclusion, for some it is to objectively present facts - as to enable the viewer to form their own opinions.

The Enfield Poltergeist, most definitely falls into the latter - and it makes a stellar job of it. This is most refreshing in a time when documentaries of latter have had a tendency to present hypotheses as facts.

So there you have it, the story is told, the facts presented, now it's your prerogative to draw any conclusion you wish - and also respect anybody who's opinion may differ from yours.

I don't watch a lot of documentaries, but I went for this one being a huge fan of horror and The Conjuring movies. It is a really well made documentary, the idea of using the real footage was excellent, it gave the whole thing the sense that everything we are watching is real and it was not manipulated to prove point A or B. I honestly don't know how to feel about the case, whether it was real or not, and I love that about the storytelling. Without spoilers, I can say that I certainly felt some shivers during the last episode that made my atheist self question the nature of our reality. I will be really surprised if this doesn't get at least an Emmy nomination. Another beast of a series from Apple.

The story will be well enough known to people of a certain age, so I won't go over it again.

This.....for the first time ever, is a telling of the tale that rips itself free of the awful Conjuring sticky fingers, the hugely entertaining (but fanciful) Timothy Spall interpretation of 2015, and all of the other "point and laugh" contemporary ridicule pieces of the late 70s and early 80s.

The meticulous set builds for the interior of the home, the superb decision to lip sync to Maurice Grosse's original tapes, and the non sensationalist, non judgemental space and breadth given to this who were there to tell their stories added up to a fresh (and refreshing) take on a story that had become perilously close to being lost forever.

For once, the terms "for information" or "for enlightenment" can stand on slightly higher ground than the lazy default "for entertainment only" that has allowed content makers to throw whatever they like into the telling of any given story.

A heartfelt "thank you" to everyone in the making of this docudrama. It's heartening to know that there's still film makers out there willing to resist the addition of sensationalist fiction to gild an already fully formed lily.

A very smartly done documentary, with actors lip-syncing to the recordings of the owners, neighbors, and those affected by the going's on in that house. Eerie seeing and not seeing what was going on, knowing the reactions are real from the sound - the actors did a very good job of keeping everything in context.

High praises to the filmmakers for keeping us in mind that this is ours to evaluate - from the occasional peeks behind the sets to the real interviews with neighbors, reporters and photographers and ultimately the 2 girls at the center. Just when you think you've made up your mind, you get more information, and then you rethink, then more and a rethink..

Definitely worth seeking out and having a weekend watch party - the tone shifts in episodes 3, and again in 4, but the combined effect is something my wife and I talk about still.

Captivating, using real audio captured during the supernatural activity. Amazing what they were able to capture & what an amazing surprise part way through the documentary. Deserves an award!

I'm not sure how this relates to any of the Conjuring movies, but this documentary seems to capture EVERYTHING other supernatural documentaries can never quite capture.

I really enjoyed it, however it leaves you wanting more; it's not clear on how the poltergeist activity stops or why.

The acting is brilliant, the set is amazing, the constructive layout is spot on, the story is captivating, the surprises are well...surprising. Well worth a watch.