Haunted: The Ferryman
1974, Grenada Television
Role: Sheridan Owen

A horror novelist and his wife go to a house in the country for a short vacation. However, they soon find that one of his novels is coming true when they are haunted by the ghost of a drowned ferryman. -- IMDb

Based on a story by Kingsley Amis. JB plays a novelist whose work begins permeating his consciousness day and night. The writer is haunted by visions of the characters he has created and will create. Foremost among these phantoms is a sinister ferryman, the traditional literary symbol for the Angel of Death. -- Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The TV movie is also famous for "the towel scene":

Images here! //  

IMDb page //  BFI page //  The Brettish Empire

Available on VHS, which is out of print and usually expensive.  Amazon U.S.