Haunted – The Ferryman (ITV 1974, Jeremy Brett, Natasha Parry)

In The Ferryman successful author Sheridan Owen and his wife Alex take refuge in a hotel during a fierce storm, things take a turn for the strange when it looks like the events of his latest novel are starting to come true.

The staff of the hotel all bear a striking resemblance to the characters in his book and Owen becomes convinced that the death by forces unknown of the hotel owner’s daughter is about to play out.

A genuinely intriguing and spooky atmosphere hangs over proceedings and there is a great little sting in the tale.

The Ferryman was one of two dramas broadcast under the “Haunted” banner over the Christmas 1974 period. A kind of ITV take on the BBC’s Ghost Story for Christmas. The other was called The Poor Girl based on a story by the author Elizabeth Taylor.

production details
UK / ITV – Granada / 1×60 minute episode / Broadcast 23 December 1974

Writer: Julian Bond / Story: Kingsley Amis / Production Design: Colin Rees / Producer: Derek Granger / Director: John Irvin

cast
JEREMY BRETT as Sheridan Owen
NATASHA PARRY as Alex Owen
GEOFFREY CHATER as Miles Attingham
LESLEY DUNLOP as Jill Attingham
ANDREW BRADFORD as George Partridge
RAY MORT as Fred Burge
DENISE BUCKLEY as TV Hostess
JOHN SAUNDERS as Bookshop Manager
AIMEE DELAMAIN as Woman in Bookshop
ELIZABETH TYRRELL as Woman Journalist
JOHN QUENTIN as Publisher
BRUCE BOA as 1st Man at Party
ANTHONY WINGATE as 2nd Man at Party
HELEN RAPPAPORT as Girl at Party
ALICK HAYES as Man In Estate Car
KATHY PROCTOR as Waitress