Haunted North America - Canadian documentary (2016) 6/10 ⭐

 Haunted North America

Canadian documentary (2016)

 6 out of 10 stars Time to read: 2:35

This is the Canadian version of Haunted History. If you're a fan of that show, you'll definitely like this.

BASIC PLOT: 

This is an interesting documentary about Canadian haunted locations. It's a mix of history and legend. Several prominent locations are featured with their real, historical backstories. Then you are regaled with the ghostly happenings that occur there.

Lighthouse keeper & bootlegger
suffers a tragic end

There are several interesting stories: A lighthouse is haunted by the old keeper who was also a bootlegger. He was murdered at the lighthouse by two men trying to rob him of his bootlegged liquor. They beat him savagely, but he still wouldn't reveal the location of his bounty. So the robbers decided to cut his arms off, hoping to force the information from him, but only succeeding in killing him. 

Haunted Lighthouse

His murderers were arrested, but never charged because his body couldn't be found. That is until the murdered lighthouse keeper appeared to his successor, and showed him where his dismembered body was buried. Finally, his murderers were brought to justice. The ghostly keeper is still seen around the lighthouse he loved. But he no longer appears armless and bloody. Now he's happy, and at peace. 

Murdered lighthouse keeper finally finds peace

There are several such stories: a theater is haunted by a sea captain who likes a particular seat, a haunted B&B has many ghostly occupants, who previously resided at the house. A murderous witch poisoned her husband, and when caught, cursed the people who put her to death. Thomas Burton, a grief stricken doctor, becomes possessed by the spirit of the Wendigo, and murders many townsfolk, then disappears into the night, never seen again. 

Mask of the torturer

One particularly interesting story was about Angelique, a slave who was wrongfully accused of arson, tortured and hung. This miscarriage of justice not only resulted in her ghostly apparition walking city streets, but also in the abolition of slavery in Canada. Hosted by Terry Boyle.

Angelique changes the laws in Canada

WHAT WORKS: 

*IF YOU LIKE HISTORICAL SHOWS ABOUT LOCAL LEGENDS, YOU'LL LIKE THIS. It's interesting to learn about places in Canada, and hear their history. I like hearing about the local lore, passed on through storytelling.

Not too scary...

*THE PRODUCTION VALUES ARE FUN The ghostly images and skeletons are a nice touch, and match the stories told. There is nothing too graphic here. Young children might find it frightening, but ages 8 and up should be fine with the imagery.

.... But scary enough to make it fun!

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:

*EVERYTHING WORKS, BUT... If you are looking for gore, or fast moving jump scares, this won't be for you. This is for a lazy, fall afternoon. It's slow moving storytelling, and if that's not what you're looking for, then I'd skip this.

Hosted by Terry Boyle

*CANADIAN ACTORS DON'T DO VIOLENCE WELL There are two scenes that reenact a beating, and the actors have a hard time with it. It seems so out of their nature, they don't know how to make it look real.

Famous haunted hotel

*TO RECOMMEND OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION:

I love Haunted History, and this is very much in the same vein. If you like history, long form storytelling, and ghost stories with a mix of folk lore, you'll like this. If you're interested in Canadian history, there are some fascinating facts about memorable locations and people.

Murderess returns to haunt the living

CLOSING NOTES: 

*THIS IS A MADE-FOR-TV DOCUMENTARY, please keep that in mind before you watch/rate it. Documentaries of this type have a much lower budget, and so you expectations should be adjusted. 

Haunted B&B

*I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE FILM, or production in ANY way. I'm not writing this as a favor, or because I was paid.

Fun bit of Canadian storytelling

*CERTIFIED HUMAN WRITTEN REVIEW This review was NOT written in full, or in part, by a bot. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews (less trolls and fanboys), and better entertainment. Hope I helped you out.