The Ray Bradbury Theater (TV Series) Banshee (1986) User Reviews

Banshee

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 14 July 2012]

This is a rather strange tale, mainly due to Peter O'Toole's eccentric director, John Hampton, with a flair for the dramatic, more than a bit coy with his visiting American screenwriter, Douglas Rogers (Charles Martin Smith who just isn't around much these days which is a pity), bringing a new script to his Irish manor. Douglas obviously hopes John will like it, the latest horror story, but shows in face and demeanor he wishes to be elsewhere. John keeps going on and on about a banshee he hears just out in the nearby wilderness, her screams echoing the night. Douglas isn't particularly fond of John's brand of humor or his occasional rub on the writer (a critique in a newspaper, tossing his script pages all over the floor, little comments about his style of writing) so there's a level of palpable discomfort and unease between the two. When John challenges Douglas to go outside to meet the banshee that is supposedly out there, the writer thinks he's got someone pulling a prank, not amused at this charade. So Douglas, reluctantly, feeling foolish and annoyed, humors John and does so, actually meeting a haunting, tragic figure in the woods, a woman whose voice seems "not of this world". This woman claims to know the man who lives in the house, calling him by the name Willie, William, and Douglas informs her that no one lives there by that name. Her description of him does seem to fit John, and so Douglas returns, wholly believing (after he sees a little graveyard with a few headstones just a piece barely visible thanks to slender trees thereabouts) he just met a specter. This time, however, John is the unbeliever because he clearly admits to fibbing about the banshee for giggles, even admitting to a rather unflattering review of Douglas' recent work. Douglas just might get the last laugh when John decides to see if the banshee awaits him in the woods… Having such talent for a thirty minute episode of an anthology series says a lot about Ray Bradbury's reputation. O'Toole is having a gas in his part, probably poking fun at directors he has worked with in the past. Smith gives a credible performance as a man not fond of being toyed with; his character seems like a practical man, with a pride in his work, appreciative of praise but not necessarily tickled pink when ridiculed. Fascinating sequence between the Banshee and Douglas as Martin Smith conveys sympathy for her as she was obviously mistreated in life, betrayed to the point that her restless spirit still beckons for retribution.

The Writer, the Director and the Banshee

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 25 March 2009]

The American screenplay writer Douglas Rogers (Charles Martin Smith) travels by taxi to the old manor of the director John Hampton (Peter O'Toole) in the countryside of Dublin to show his last work. He finds in John an extravagant man with a peculiar sense of humor. When they hear a moaning in the woods, John tells Douglas that it is a Banshee (Jennifer Dale) ("a female spirit in Gaelic folklore believed to presage, by wailing, a death in a family") wandering in the woods and challenges the writer to meet her. Douglas believes it is a prank of John and meets a weird woman that claims that she is there for William, but pointing to John inside the house. Douglas tells the writer about his meeting with the Banshee and the director believes it is a joke from the American writer, living the mansion to find the woman and his fate.

"Banshee" is a promising episode of "The Ray Bradbury Theater", but unfortunately I lost many words said by Peter O'Toole and Michael Copeman due to their accent. The development of the plot is great but the conclusion is a little deceptive. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Banshee"

"He would be kept like a stone in a cold stream."

[classicsoncall · 6/10 · 8 December 2021]

I'm beginning to learn that some of these Ray Bradbury tales require a bit of mental exercise, as the conclusion of this one can have you going in different directions, just like an earlier one titled 'The Playground'. With this story, you'll have to determine whether the 'Banshee' (Jennifer Dale) is truly a spirit who foreshadows someone's death with her wailing, or a real person taking part in an elaborate hoax. It almost becomes a game between movie director John Hampton (Peter O'toole) and writer Doug Rogers (Charles Martin Smith), who delivers a script that has some potential. It's Doug who first comes in contact with the strange lady in white, he assuming that it's a prank foisted by his host, who seems to take delight in keeping his guest off balance. But when Doug insists that he actually did encounter a presence in the woods, Hampton takes up his dare and proceeds to the outer grounds himself. Since the Banshee described the name of a former lover to Rogers as Will, Willie and William, there seems to be no connection to John Hampton, but her description of Hampton otherwise matched. What happens afterward is up for grabs, as the viewer, you'll have to decide on your own.

Legend comes to life!

[blanbrn · 7/10 · 27 August 2020]

This the season one finale of "The Ray Bradbury Theater" the episode is called "Banshee" is one that's dark and atmospheric as it builds with drama and suspense while having a background theme of love. The story involves an English screenwriter who travels by taxi to an old castle of legendary film director John Hampton(the great Peter O' Toole) in the Irish countryside to show off his latest work. However this episode twist with a wild card like plot that involves a lost love and spirit as that seems more the norm when sounds are heard in the woods. Overall this episode isn't bad yet nothing great as it's a take on folklore involving a lost love and living legend.

Banshee

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 28 April 2023]

Douglas Rogers (Charles Martin Smith) is an American screenwriter who has come to an isolated house in Ireland to meet larger than life film director John Hampton (Peter O'Toole.)

At first Hampton lauds his guest's talents as a writer. Only to later mock him by reading aloud the latest review of his book in the London press. Only to say he made it up.

Then Hampton dares Rogers to go outside and meet a Banshee in the woods. Rogers disbelieves him and thinks that Hampton has put someone up to scare him.

Only Rogers meets an ethereal beautiful woman, who talks about being betrayed by her lover. Maybe that man is Hampton. When Rogers returns to the house, he sends Hampton out, maybe to meet his fate.

This short story was slightly autobiographical. Bradbury actually did some work as a young man for John Huston.

In a casting coup, O'Toole is having a blast in this. He did play a devilish director in The Stunt Man.

I did think the story had lots of atmosphere but was too low key especially the ending.

A Great Place to Own a House

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 23 March 2015]

Like many Bradbury stories, this one is hard to interpret. Often thought of as a science fiction writer (where the snobs diminish talent) Bradbury is truly one of our greatest stylists. An American writer of horror fiction visits the home of a man (played by Peter O'Toole), living in Ireland, remote from the rest of society, in order to show him a manuscript. His reclusive posture is known far and wide. When the writer shows him the work he tosses the pages to the floor as he read them. What ensues is a series of mind games with the young writer and a lecture on horror and the banshee (an eerie sound is heard in the darkness outside the house). O'Toole challenges his guest to see what real horror is and meet the banshee. He meets a beautiful, pale woman in foggy woods and she tells him she needs to meet the man in the house. Use your own judgment in how you feel the story ends. It's very well done.

Learned about Ghosts from this!

[AndRQ24 · 10/10 · 25 August 2020]

This episode still gives me chills as it taught me a lot about Banshees and who to trust.