”The Bench” – From Idea to Cult Classic: The 17-Year Saga of a Scottish Horror Film
”The Bench” A Scottish horror film that has been in the making for nearly 17 years has finally emerged from its protracted journey. The Bench is a suspenseful slasher film revolving around a group of friends who, while staying at a remote cabin in Renfrewshire, encounter a series of terrifying events as they mysteriously disappear one by one. Although the concept seemed promising, the film’s production faced numerous hurdles, from Scotland’s erratic weather to financial shortages that brought progress to a halt.
Sean Wilkie, the film’s writer and director, spoke candidly to BBC Scotland News about the emotional rollercoaster of seeing The Bench finally come to fruition. A Coatbridge native, Wilkie transitioned from short films to this full-length horror venture, drawing inspiration from horror classics like Halloween, The Hills Have Eyes, and Tobe Hooper’s seminal work The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
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The filming of The Bench began in Lochwinnoch in 2007, utilizing a cabin lent by friends of the director of photography. For interior shots, the team used The Caves venue in Edinburgh, while some outdoor scenes were filmed at Drumpellier Country Park. The cast includes Joy McAvoy, known for Two Doors Down, and Matt McClure, recognized from the American horror series Penny Dreadful.
Reflecting on the production, Sean Wilkie noted, “The initial two weeks on location went without a hitch, but maintaining that momentum proved challenging.” He reminisced about the various obstacles, stating, “I wish we had documented the entire process. It would have made for an intriguing behind-the-scenes feature. The unpredictable weather and other issues meant we couldn’t stick to our shooting schedule, forcing us to return on weekends to complete the film.”
By the time principal photography concluded around 2011, the project had exhausted its budget. Sean had to depend on favors for post-production work and scoring, which stretched out the film’s completion. It wasn’t until around 2016 that The Bench was nearly finished. “By then, I was completely drained, and the film was left sitting on a shelf,” Sean reflected. Now a teacher of animation and filmmaking and a freelance scriptwriter, he admitted that the arduous journey had impacted his personal relationships and finances.
Despite the setbacks, The Bench experienced a revival. Ryan Hendrick, director of the Scottish festive romance Lost At Christmas, recognized the film’s potential and offered to assist. Hendrick, having recently launched a small distribution company, believed the film could succeed with some support. Despite some continuity issues—like actors’ hairstyle changes between original and reshot scenes—Hendrick adeptly managed these challenges, and Sean was impressed with the final outcome.
The Bench is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime, and Sean is enthusiastic about the renewed interest. “I’m finding myself brimming with new creative ideas,” he shared with a smile. “Although my focus has been mainly on writing, we recently presented the film at Cineworld, and the audience’s positive feedback was incredibly encouraging. Filming in 2007 has given the project a unique production value that’s hard to replicate today. It almost feels like a period piece!”
In a way, the protracted journey of The Bench stands as a testament to determination and dedication in the realm of filmmaking. What started as a daunting endeavor has transformed into a celebrated work of Scottish horror cinema, demonstrating that even the most challenging productions can eventually find their place in the spotlight.
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