This film is part of Free
Lonely Water
Terrifying public information film presenting the horrific consequences of playing in or near rivers, ponds and other water hazards.
Overview
Narrated throughout by a ghoulish robed figure, βThe Spirit of Dark and Lonely Waterβ (voiced by an unsettlingly restrained Donald Pleasence), Lonely Water presents the horrific consequences of playing in or near rivers, ponds, construction sites and other unsafe areas where water hazards are rife.
Whatβs most disturbing here (in 2003 the film was voted among Channel 4βs 100 Greatest Scary Moments), is not the nature of the accidents but the perverse, sadistic enjoyment that the Spirit seems to be taking in watching them: the pleasure with which he anticipates the breaking of the branch; the telltale twinge of excitement in Pleasenceβs tone when he describes a scrap yard as βthe perfect placeβ¦ for an accident.β All work to make the events depicted even more terrifying and in doing so make Lonely Waterβs grim philosophy chillingly clear. Driven by a RoSPA campaign aimed at reducing the number of drowning-related accidents in the UK (a government working party was established with this aim in 1973), this film presents a live-action and infinitely more disturbing alternative to the COIβs iconic Charley β Falling in the Water, released the same year.
Related
The Farm on the Motorway The Farm on the Motorway
Documentary 1983 26 mins Location: Booth Wood
Life in the fast lane, as thousands roar past every day wondering why there is a farm in the middle of a motorway, and why anyone would live there.
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
Glasgow Gets to Work Glasgow Gets to Work
Amateur film 1935 12 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
Hold on tight for a joyous ride around 1935 Glasgow's bustling road, rail and river transport network in this Scottish educational film.
Sunshine in Soho Sunshine in Soho
Documentary 1956 32 mins Location: Soho
1950s Soho beats with far more energy than its 21st century counterpart in this vivid time capsule.
Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June) Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June)
Amateur film 1964 12 mins Location: Pontarddulais
βIt would be difficult to find a more lovely train journeyβ, declares Swanseaβs Librarian, the film-maker and narrator. Prepare to be beguiled, station by station.
A Day in the Hayfields A Day in the Hayfields
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent Location: Walton-on-Thames
Midsummer haymaking larks
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of childrenβs palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.