The Enfield Poltergeist

I've always been fascinated by this story, and when I finally got around to watch the show, I wasn't disappointed. It's not a 'modern' Hollywood horror movie, which in some sense felt like a little breath of fresh air. A great deal of spooky elements and great acting. If you're a fan of ghost stories, then you should watch this one. As a miniseries it can be a bit long for some, but then again, you'll enjoy it, if you're into the genre. I love 'The Entity' (82) and even though this mini series is not as intense, it still delivers in its own 'British' way. Could it have been better, maybe, but not really because of the budget or the talent. It would just have been different decisions made from the directors/producers side. A last note: I don't feel like it was intended to make a 'light' version of the story, which I appreciated very much.

Well made documentary by apple tv. I've seen other docs and shows about the Enfield haunting but this one is excellent and you get interviews from people who were there. The series uses Grosse's original audio tapes, and actors recreate scenes that were documented over a two-year period. Creator Jerry Rothwell supplements these with archival footage and interviews from journalists, paranormal experts and the family.

There is an inordinate amount of information to get through - as Grosse once proudly told the BBC: "This may be the best case of the century, and as far as documentation goes, it might be the best case of all time." Plus, there are dozens of agendas to wade through. The media wants a salacious story. The family want to help and to be seen as wholesome and honest. The paranormal investigators want to make a significant scientific breakthrough in their field.

Not only the best paranormal documentary I've seen but one of the best documentaries I've seen on any subject.

A fascinating and sophisticated approach to an extraordinary story, with a strange lip-syncing recreation that eerily echoes the phenomenon/possession itself. The voice both real and unreal.

The filmmakers have gone all out, creating a creepy atmosphere but also an investigative and objective style with some real pathos as well. It delves deep but I wish it was even longer.

This really is underseen and underrated (once again don't trust the IMDb ratings). It deserves a big audience.

...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.

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.