13 GANTRY ROW

Australia, 1998, 90 minutes, Colour.
Rebecca Gibney, John Adam, Doris Younane, Nicholas Hammond, Marshall Napier, Michael Caton, Tony Llewellyn-Jones?.
Directed by Catherine Millar.

13 Gantry Street is a ghost story set in Sydney. It focuses on a crime that was committed at the end of the 19th century and the ghosts that haunt the house at the end of the 20th century. It is standard material – but well acted by Rebecca Gibney (best known for her performances as Jane Halifax) and John Adam. There is a good cast of Australian character actors. Direction is by Catherine Millar, television director.

1.The title, expectations? Location for a horror story?

2.The Sydney locations, the harbour, the older part of Sydney, the buildings, the streets? The musical score?

3.The title, history, the house, special effects, ghosts? The extraordinary in the ordinary?

4.The introduction to Julie and Peter, their marriage, getting the house, the discussions about finance, moving in? Together, their work, plans, the development of the house, the sale?

5.Peter, his work, the loans, work with Kieron? The effect of the house on him?

6.Julie, Russell and the friendship, her work?

7.The detail of the house, the renovation? The importance of the stain, the wall, the iron? Mr Hobb? The man screaming?

8.The significance of the prologue, the mirror, the dreams, the ghosts, the murder? The ghosts taking over?

9.Peter and the change, his attitude towards the house, the warning, Kieron and the squash, the money, the crime, cover-up, the police, killing Kieron?

10.Julie and her leaving, the return, the confrontation, the truth and the shock?

11.Peter and Julie, together, staying – in a haunted house?

12.The popularity of this kind of ghost story and haunted house? This film as a variation on the theme?