In order to authenticate some historical papers in a cathedral town, Oxbridge academic Anderson stays at a local hotel in room 12, initially disregarding the lack of a number 13 as provincial superstition. During the night, noise conspires to keep him awake and the historian is astonished to come face to face with door number 13. Continuing his work, a history of a reformation era witchcraft scandal emerges. The nocturnal disturbances escalate, leading Anderson with no choice but to open the door to room number 13...
Direction
Pier Wilkie builds dread through simple closed doors
Acting
Greg Wise's skeptic-to-believer arc is deliciously British
Director
Pier Wilkie
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is a rare adaptation of M.R. James's 'Number 13'—the BBC filmed it twice, first in 1966 for their Ghost Story for Christmas series.
The 'missing thirteenth room' trope predates elevators; it reflects medieval buildings actually skipping 13 in numbering due to triskaidekaphobia.
GB
