Stigma (1977)
December 28, 1977Release Date
Stigma (1977)
December 28, 1977Release Date
Plot.
Where to Watch.
Currently Stigma is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Shudder Apple TV Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.
Peter Bowles
Peter
Kate Binchy
Katharine
Maxine Gordon
Verity
Jon Laurimore
Dr. Hall
Christopher Blake
Richard
John Judd
Dave
Lawrence Gordon Clark
Director
Clive Exton
Writer
Rosemary Hill
Producer
Lynda Woodfield
Costume Design
Elizabeth Small
Unit Production Manager
Magdalen Gaffney
Makeup Artist
Mike Savage
Sound Recordist
Peter Rann
Sound Mixer
Dave King
Editor
Stuart Walker
Production Design
Media.
Details.
Release DateDecember 28, 1977
StatusReleased
Running Time32m
Genres
Last updated:
This Movie Is About.
Wiki.
Stigma is a short film which is part of the British supernatural anthology series A Ghost Story for Christmas. Written by Clive Exton, produced by Rosemary Hill, and directed by the series' creator, Lawrence Gordon Clark, it first aired on BBC1 on 29 December 1977 (delayed from 28 December), the latest airdate in the series relative to Christmas. At 31 minutes 47 seconds, it is the shortest episode in the original run, being 3 seconds shorter than "The Ash Tree" (1975)
The story concerns a family consisting of Katharine (Kate Binchy), Peter (Peter Bowles), and Verity (Maxine Gordon) who move to a rural cottage from the city. Workmen are brought in to try and remove a large stone which is embedded in the grass outside the cottage, but their attempts appear to unleash a supernatural force which causes Katharine to start bleeding from invisible wounds.
"Stigma" is the first instalment in the series not based on a pre-existing work, and the last to be directed by Clark. Hill, who had been brought on as producer in 1973, favoured contemporary stories as opposed to the period adaptations which had been the norm for the series. Clark's ambivalence to this direction led to his departure, and the series' original run would only last another year before ending. Critical and audience response was likewise negative, though in recent years it has been reassessed as a worthy piece of folk horror and body horror that stands alongside supernatural television plays of the decade such as those produced for Play for Today.