Ned Beatty doing family horror? This Kiwi-PBS fever dream slaps harder than it has any right to.
The Haunting of Barney Palmer is a fantasy film for children about a young boy who is haunted by his great uncle. Young Barney fears that he has inherited the Scholar family curse; a suite of 80s-era effects ramp up the supernatural suspense. The film was a co-production between PBS (United States) and Wellington's Gibson Group, which resulted in Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Network) being cast. It was written by Margaret Mahy, based on her Carnegie Award-winning novel The Haunting, and an early fruitful collaboration between her and director Yvonne Mackay.
Practical Effects
Gloriously cursed 80s SFX that age like fine, spooky wine.
Writing
Margaret Mahy's Carnegie-winning prose distilled into lean dread.
Acting
Ned Beatty commits completely to Kiwi public television ghost business.
Director
Yvonne Mackay
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
US
NZ
