Another of the "Ghost Stories for Christmas" that the BBC ran back in the '70s - those were the days. Clocking it at just under forty minutes, LOST HEARTS is nevertheless a fine adaptation of the short story by famed author M. R. James. Here we have the bare bones of a ghostly tale, stripped of any of the fat that might have been added had the tale been made into a full-length film, and once again a fantastically eerie watch.

The story is set at a large countryside mansion complete with creaking floor boards and long, deserted passageways - a fine setting for a ghostly tale if ever I saw one. The haunting itself takes the shape of a pair of ghost children, who appear from a distance watching the main character rather like THE WOMAN IN BLACK did sixteen years later. These children have blue, dead skin, and open chest cavities where their hearts have been removed (hence the title). Although their appearance seems to be indebted to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, the ghosts still pack one heck of a punch and are entirely creepy and disturbing to watch - especially when the camera moves in close on their grinning faces.

The story is a concise and good one, with an inevitable finale looming ever closer. It turns out that Abney is an occultist who believes he has found the secret of immortality - but needs to burn the heart of a young child to achieve that end. You can easily guess the outcome of the man's actions, but it's still gripping stuff. Simon Gipps-Kent plays the young Stephen, and is one of the best child actors I've seen. His performance requires him to act terrified a lot of the time and he does this well, along with being inquisitive and strong-minded. Joseph O'Connor puts in a great portrayal of a mad old man, and comes across as more than sadly pathetic than terrifying. The ghost kids are great, and the supporting actors and actresses make good of their minor turns.

LOST HEARTS is a film that brings out the melancholy and eeriness of the old British countryside, whether it be at a flowing stream, a churchyard, or the deep woods. It captures a forgotten Victorian era which is often overdone in bigger-budgeted movies which become unrealistic and too slick-looking. Here, the setting is fine, and the music greatly adds to the atmosphere. LOST HEARTS is a creepy and forgotten little film recommended to all true horror fans who like their chills to be old-fashioned and macabre rather than gory and in-your-face.

A very strong entry in the Ghost story for Christmas series, I've been critical in the past thinking it's a drama that has elements of Hammer Horror, but also strong elements of Children's TV. A sort of CBBC v Hammer production, however when I re-watched it, I'll admit for the most part I was wrong. It's a dark story, and the elements in it that seem soft and cuddly are actually dark, and hiding a sinister heart. Fabulous production values, which has been the case throughout the series, this is more blatant horror, whereas with the Barchester Stalls and Warning to the curious, where the threat was more subtle and often inferred, here it's visually more obvious with the scares. Joseph O'Conor is so strong in the role of Abney, he certainly makes up for some of the wooden acting. Overall it's very good. 7/10

I've only recently begun appreciating the works of M.R James and this BBC TV series is an ideal place to begin.

"Lost Hearts" is a gripping story that focuses on the somewhat eccentric and sinister activities of a boys cousin as the former is an orphan who has been sent to live at his cousin's country estate.

I enjoyed this episode all the way through as each scene bears relevance to the plot.