Ice House, The
Date: 1978
Director: Derek Lister
Production Company: British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
Stars: John Stride, Geoffrey Burridge, Elizabeth Romily
Location(s): Oxfordshire
Region(s): South East E-L
Storyline:
Made for BBC Television’s occasional ‘A Ghost Story for Christmas’, this short film sees a recently divorced man seeking sanctuary at a country retreat run by a sinister brother and sister.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
An episode broadcast as part of the BBC’s ‘A Ghost Story for Christmas’ series
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- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
Recently divorced from his wife, Paul moves into a residential health spa run by Jessica and Clovis. Paul Brewer identifies this as Haseley Court in Little Haseley, Oxfordshire.
- Capture 2
- 'Now' required
As they walk through the gardens, a Gentleman Resident tells Paul (John Stride) that the spa is a home from home. Haseley Court in Little Haseley located by Paul Brewer.
- Capture 3
- 'Now' required
Sitting by the lake, Jessica (Elizabeth Romilly) speaks as the two men pass. Paul Brewer found the canal, part of a former moat in the grounds at Haseley Court.
- Capture 4
- 'Now' required
The following day, Jessica and her brother Clovis (Geoffrey Burridge) take Paul to see the ice house.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
In the woods, the three admire the strange vine growing over the remote building.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
After noticing that all the staff are cold to the touch, Paul asks the siblings about a former masseur who is no longer at the house. The gardens at Haseley Court recognised by Paul Brewer who, for many years, worked for the owners that bought the house in the early 1980s.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
On the lawn of the country house, Paul and a Lady in Diamonds (Gladys Spencer) play croquet against Clovis and Jessica. The 14th century Haseley Court identified by Paul Brewer.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
Paul shivers as a cold chill runs through his body. The grounds of Haseley Court at Little Haseley between Thame and Wallingford advises Paul Brewer.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Over tea, Paul asks what is kept behind the locked door of the ice house. The grounds of the Grade I listed Haseley Court located by Paul Brewer.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
Returning to the Ice House, Paul studies the vine that bears flowers of different colours.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Leaving the health spa that night, Paul explores the ice house further and discovers his masseur encased in ice within. Haseley Court identified by Paul Brewer who confirmed with the previous owners' daughter that the ice house itself was not at Haseley Court, saying that it was either a mock up constructed for the production or possibly filmed at another location.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
The next day, Clovis and Jessica lead their increasingly cold guest from the building. Haseley Court in Oxfordshire located by Paul Brewer. The house and grounds also appear in 2005's 'Match Point' as well as a couple of 'Midsomer Murders' television episodes.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
Almost in a trance, Paul is led through the woods . . . .
- Capture 14
- 'Now' required
. . . . to the waiting ice house.