misbegotten The pilot movie for a proposed series, 'The Sight' is written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, and was an American/British co-production between Sky and Fox Television.Andrew McCarthy plays American architect Michael Lewis, who's in London to help renovate an old building. As he's driving through the capital one night, an elderly woman steps in front of his car and is killed. Lewis subsequently discovers that the woman was not only suffering from terminal cancer, but was also the owner of the building he's working on. Later, the woman (Honor Blackman) appears to him, reveals she had 'the sight' (the ability to interact with the dead) and that he has it too. It had laid dormant within him, but has now been activated by her death (which, together with his arrival in the UK, she had engineered). Lewis is now the earthy agent of all the ghosts wandering unnoticed among the living, unable to find rest until those responsible for their deaths are punished.The remainder of the episode has Lewis investigating the murders of several children, leading to the discovery of a copycat serial killer and climaxing with a quite exciting confrontation in the cavernous London sewers. Other cast members include Amanda Redman, Alexander Armstrong, and a scene-stealing performance from Jessica Oyelowo (who would later have a recurring role in the British horror/supernatural series 'Hex') as Isobel, a flirty and teasing ghost who acts as Lewis's main contact with the spirits.It's been seven years since I saw 'The Sight', but some sequences remain lodged in my memory: the ghost of a little girl attending her own funeral, casually walking along the lid of the coffin in her wellington boots; Lewis's encounter with a young woman (played by Helen Lyons) who died in the Blitz and has been riding the Underground ever since; Lewis watching a group of children playing in mudflats next to the Thames, and realising with a shock that they're all the killer's victims; and the little girl ghost's reluctance to tell Lewis what the murderer said to her as he killed her, "because it's rude." Throughout the pilot, Lewis starts receiving visions - psychic flashes showing the world either dead or in ruins - and the final scene has a man and a woman (the former played by the marvellous actor Jason Issacs, a regular in Anderson's films) watching Lewis from a distance and commenting that "he doesn't know how special he is." Clearly all foreshadowing for the series to follow.The pilot obtained good ratings for Sky, and a series was indeed green-lit. I remember an interview with Amanda Redman in which she mentioned that she'd signed a contract to be a regular cast member. But something went wrong and it never happened. If it had, 'The Sight' would have been Sky's first homegrown fantasy series, an honour that instead went to 'Hex'.The pilot episode of 'The Sight' still gets repeated occasionally on Sky's various channels. It's worth watching, if only to wonder what might have been, if the series had proceeded.

Agro I watched "The Sight" on late night TV and was surprised by the quality of this made for TV movie. I had never heard of this film before and wasn't expecting much. It was definitely wasted in such a late time slot on Australian TV. The TV network and film would have benefited from an earlier time slot.It had great atmosphere, sets, locations and an excellent British supporting cast. This gave the film an eerie atmosphere reminiscent of the British "Prime Suspect" series.I was surprised by the American casting although Andrew McCarthy was likable and vulnerable as the lead.The script and direction were very good and the British cast were superb. I was hooked on the story and for a change I didn't work out who the Killer was till the end.I hadn't I seen or heard of this film before?

xredgarnetx THE SIGHT is a TV movie wherein former '80s teen heart throb Andrew McCarthy helps track down a serial killer by using a newly developed gift of second sight and the help of some friendly spirits. McCarthy, a decent and likable actor, here portrays an American architect on assignment in London who can't believe his own eyes as the dead begin to contact him for help. This amiable knockoff of THE DEAD ZONE and THE SIXTH SENSE has some very clever visuals and terrific set design, courtesy of director Paul Anderson of "Resident Evil" notoriety. A satisfyingly violent climax makes up for the general flatness of this British/American TV pilot for a series that evidently never was. Anderson employs lots of well-done CGI to create a nightmarish mood rare for a TV movie. Two moments worthy of special note: McCarthy sitting in a playground full of kiddie ghosts and later surrounded by his spirit friends after a church service and funeral. A word of warning: The TV broadcast ending is different than the DVD ending. Ignore the DVD ending; it makes absolutely no sense.

staisil2 Andrew McCarthy stars in a fabulous portrayal of a man who can communicate with the dead. I thought that this movie had a good plot, good actors, and had an unsuspectful ending. I also like the whole "stairway to heaven" literally that was shown. Excellent. 8 out of 10.