Mark Gatiss adapts another M R James ghost story for BBC4.
Set in academia in what looks like the Edwardian era. Edward Williams (Rory Kinnear) is a rather stuffy university curator. He receives a mezzotint to add to his university museum's collection.
It looks like an ordinary picture of a house. Yet strangely things are pointed out to Edward that he did not previously notice such as moonlight. Then there seems to be a sinister figure. Parts of the picture just keeps changing.
Edward and his circle of friends look for a rationale explanation. Eccentric Mrs Ambrigail (Frances Barber) provides a diverting explanation of a hanged poacher who vowed to destroy a family that embroils Edward into it.
As always Gatiss has to work wonders with a small budget. It is very atmospheric and there are nods to the Japanese movie Ringu remade as The Ring in the USA.
Robert Bathurst goes a little hammy but he is no match for Barber.
