The Ash-tree

"The Ash-tree" is a ghost story by M.R. James, found in his 1904 collection Ghost Stories of an Antiquary. The tale documents the tale of Sir Richard Castringham, who has just inherited a country seat with an unfortunate history. The house has been cursed since the day his ancestor, Sir Matthew, condemned a woman to death for witchcraft. It is soon discovered that the ancient ash tree outside his bedroom window is the root of the problem.

BBC adaptation

"The Ash Tree"
A Ghost Story for Christmas episode
Title screen
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 5
Directed by	Lawrence Gordon Clark
Written by	M. R. James (story) David Rudkin (adaptation)
Original air date	23 December 1975
Episode chronology
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It was adapted in 1975 by David Rudkin as "The Ash Tree" and part the BBC's A Ghost Story for Christmas strand.^[1] It was first broadcast on 23 December 1975 at 11.35.^[2] The adaptation stars Edward Petherbridge as Somerton, and it was directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark.^[3][4]

References

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article: The Ash-tree

• The Ash Tree at the BFI's Screenonline
• The Ash Tree at the Internet Movie Database