M.R. James

Writing

M.R. James

Born August 1, 1862 · Dover, Kent, England

Died June 12, 1936 · aged 73

Montague Rhodes James OM FBA was an English author, medievalist scholar and provost of King's College, Cambridge (1905–1918), and of Eton College (1918–1936). He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (1913–15). James is best remembered for his ghost stories, which some consider among the best in the genre. He redefined the ghost story for the new century by abandoning many of the form…

Known For

Night of the DemonNight of the Demon · 1957
Night of the Demon
★ 7.01957
MovieFantasyHorror
American professor John Holden arrives in London for a conference on parapsychology only to discover that the colleague he was supposed to meet was killed in a freak accident the day before. It turns out that the deceased had been investigating a cult lead by Dr. Julian Karswell. Though a skeptic, Holden is suspicious of the devil-worshiping Karswell. Following a trail of mysterious manuscripts, Holden enters a world that makes him question his faith in science.
The ChurchThe Church · 1989
The Church
★ 6.01989
MovieHorror
In a Gothic cathedral built on the mass grave of a Teutonic purge, an ancient discovery by the new librarian will release an unholy maelstrom of madness, violence, and demonic vengeance.
Lost HeartsLost Hearts · 2007
Lost Hearts
★ 10.02007
MovieHorror
A modern working of the 1893 M.R James ghost story Lost Hearts. An orphaned boy come to live with his reclusive relative, but there are strange manifestations in the house. The ghost children want vengeance - and they want it now.
Martin's CloseMartin's Close · 2019
Martin's Close
★ 5.62019
MovieHorrorTV Movie
A young squire accused of murdering a young girl that did not return his feelings of love reveals a supernatural secret at his trial.
Number 13Number 13 · 2006
Number 13
★ 6.32006
MovieHorrorTV Movie
In order to authenticate some historical papers in a cathedral town, Oxbridge academic Anderson stays at a local hotel in room 12, initially disregarding the lack of a number 13 as provincial superstition. During the night, noise conspires to keep him awake and the historian is astonished to come face to face with door number 13. Continuing his work, a history of a reformation era witchcraft scandal emerges. The nocturnal disturbances escalate, leading Anderson with no choice but to open the door to room number 13...
A View from a HillA View from a Hill · 2005
A View from a Hill
★ 7.22005
MovieDramaHorror
On holiday, a young man borrows a pair of binoculars when his own are broken. But they seem somehow bewitched, showing things that could only be seen with dead men's eyes... visions from the past. And using them could lead to a sinister rendezvous on Gallow's Hill.
A Ghost Story for Christmas: The MezzotintA Ghost Story for Christmas: The Mezzotint · 2021
A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Mezzotint
★ 6.52021
MovieTV MovieHorror
1923. In the heart of an old English college, Edward Williams receives an engraving of of an unknown country house with an imposing facade, a sweeping lawn - and, just perhaps, something else.
The Lost Will of Dr. RantThe Lost Will of Dr. Rant · 1951
The Lost Will of Dr. Rant
1951
MovieTV MovieHorror
An anxious old man who is searching for a rare edition of the Talmud finally tracks the tome down at a research library in Boston. But before he can get his hands on it, a hideous apparition intervenes.

Filmography

Sort
OmnibusOmnibus · 1967
Omnibus
★ 7.21967
SeriesDocumentary
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.

Story