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The Turn of the Screw

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Though I appear to be a minority, I'd like to praise this version of "The Turn of the Screw," not because I think it's an improvement over the 1961 film version, "The Innocents," but because I think it succeeds in the context of its own particular medium: videotape. True, this rendering of Henry James is not "cinematic" in the usual sense, but the very nature of videotape precludes the stylistic approach of celluloid. What this version lacks in the verisimilitude of exterior settings, it more than compensates for in terms of intimacy of atmosphere (the main virtue of videotaped productions), so that I encountered a mood of claustrophobia lacking in theatrical versions. In fact, this "Turn of the Screw," like Dan Curtis's 1968 version of "Jekyll and Hyde" (and like the BBC videotape of "Count Dracula") carries much of the directness of on-stage drama: precisely because of its technical lack of "polish," it draws the viewer into a more authentic sense of involvement. As for the acting, here, too, I have to partially differ, since I feel Lynn Redgrave gave a fine and measured performance (not over-the-top, as some reviews have stated). If I had any quarrel with the acting, it was with Jasper Jacob as "Miles," because the actor looked 4 or 5 years too old for the role. Still, his performance was passable, and as for Eva Griffith, her "Flora" was superb; Griffith's face, moreover, has remarkable sensuality for a child actress, which makes the gradual onset of libertine possession all the more believable. In short, this is one of my favorite adaptations of a famous horror novel which, whatever its flaws, is one I'd love to have on DVD.

Despite a few nay sayers out there,this video was pretty darn good. It may not have a polished look,but then again,it was made for television. Within that contects,this version thrives like a vegetable in the rain. The sets are good as well as the acting,effects,and the frightning score by Robert Corbert.

Well-acted, eerie atmosphere, BBC-style British television spooker is all set to be near-perfect, of a quality right up there with The Changeling or the Woman In Black. But some viewers may be turned off by the relentless torturing of animals that the two kids get up to - far more so than the barely hinted at suggestions in The Innocents film version of this great Henry James story. I found this aspect spoiled what could have easily been otherwise an above-average haunted house movie relying on psychological chills in the best tradition of The Haunting.

The Turn of the Screw is not a movie I would recommend renting on a Friday night. The monotonous scenes will put you to sleep. The same events keep reoccuring. Jane Cubberly sees the spirits of Miss Jessel and her evil lover, Peter Quint. She accuses Flora of seeing Miss Jessel, but she would always deny it. That goes on throughout the entire movie. You will also be annoyed with the generic music. Every time something bad was about to happen, you would hear a clamor of xylophone chords. The camera work also seemed very juvenile. Almost like a high-school student filmed it. There is a scene where Jane Cubberly is on a carriage with Luke. They are supposed to be moving, but it is plain to see there is a fake background and you can hear the poorly made sounds of horses galloping. I think this book should never have been made into a movie. It just seemed to ruin the book.

I have thought about this movie 25 years. I am almost to scared to watch it again. Any one will certainly find this a gripping tale.

Lynn Redgrave is Jane Cubberly, a governess who takes over the care of two children Flora and Miles at Bly House. In this quiet country estate she experiences or sees strange things. By the time she knows the truths about her predecessor Miss Jessel and one Peter Quint, she is convinced that some evil force is out there, waiting for the chance to corrupt the two "innocent" children in her charge.

Dan Curtis directed this made-for-TV adaptation of Henry James' famous novella in 1974. The production is obviously low-budget and some images and sound effects are technically inept - in the "storm" scene there is no storm; the sun is shining somewhere up above. The menacing presence of "them" (you know what I am talking about) are not menacing enough; they look like actors with special make-ups - but that is not really the problem of this version.

In spite of some nice visual tricks, Dan Curtis' film is not creepy or psychologically insightful enough. The ambiguity of the original book is totally gone. Look how the governess talking back to her employer, the children's uncle, calling him "dreadful." Her repressed sexual desire is part of her (over)eagerness to "protect her" children, but the film discards one of the most intriguing parts of James' story.

Instead, materials are added to the plot that should be simple, but they result in the film's most unconvincing (and sometimes boring) scenes. When young boy Miles should be a "perfect" and "innocent" child, in her eyes at least, the film describes him as cold-hearted animal torturer. Clearly the boy is not "innocent" in the way the governess would want him to be (neither is Flora, who can be insensitive to the dead frog), but Ms. Cubberly is too slow to understand what is so obvious to us. The film as a consequence fails to create the psychological tension that should be between the governess and the children. The two child actors are very good, but this film's Flora and Miles still do not have mysterious feeling that should keep puzzling us to the very end. Is this slow development intentional? Some scenes even has Miles talking to her as if wooing her, but does that suggest she could be attracted to Miles, not his uncle? But ... what is the point of all of this?

Some may think Lynn Redgrave, who is to be Oscar-nominated twice in the 1990s, is overacting especially in the second half, but all in all her acting (and that of other supporting actors) is acceptable, if not special. Interestingly her father Michael Redgrave played the role of "Uncle" in a far superior adaptation "The Innocents." Megs Jenkins also plays Mrs. Grose, the same role she did in "The Innocents" made 13 years before.

The overlong film is pointless (to me) and lacks intensity. Not bad as most recent James adaptation "In a Dark Place," but still not good.

MPI's DVD includes the interviews with the director Dan Curtis and star Lynn Redgrave.

I saw this movie as an original in 1974, but 25 years later I can still remember the haunting scenes. This movie leaves you questioning what you saw, and from one minute to the next 'sure' you know who the real evil is --- only to be turned 180 degrees within a few minutes. Very disturbing. Of the Alfred Hitchcock genre in terms of building up terror without a spot of blood.

MPI's DVD edition of this video feature has serious audio problems: the dialogue is distorted and impossible to make out, like a radio with very poor reception. (MPI made a similar mess of their DVD version of 1973's "Picture of Dorian Gray").

The movie The Turn of the Screw is definetely not one fit for the years top ten list. With its fake scenery, bad music, and bad acting, the movie keeps getting worse, right from the start.

First of all, the scenery is very unrealistic. Whenever the plot forces the characters outside, it is as if they venture into a different world. While the inside of Blythe House, the mansion where Jane Coverly has recently been hired to govern two children, Miles, 14, and Flora, 7, the outdoors is incredibly fake. The mansion at least has accurately placed props, and its interminable stairways and hallways may add to the feelings of fear the movie attempts to arise in oneself. However, when Coverly ventures outside, especially when she goes to the parapet, the scenery appears poorly colored with bright green grass and dull buildings. The film is as if it is older than it should be.

Furthermore, the music does not add to the "fear factor"of the movie. Although it attempts to be eerie, the music, which is usually in a minor key, only makes the audience laugh. When Flora plays the "Death March" on the piano, it is not frightening, in fact, it almost is cute and amusing.

Moreover, the acting is atrocious. Coverly, played by Lynn Redgrave, is ineffective with her display of emotions. When she is frightened by the children and the lurid past of Blythe House, her expressions appear trite and almost comical. The ending of scenes, which often takes place with a character staring off into the distance, is totally unrealistic and over-used.

Hence, this is definitely a movie that is worth missing. I would never recommend this for a scary movie, however, as a comedy, it is not too bad!

"The Turn of the Screw" is a tiresome British production based on the novel by Henry James. Directed by Dan Curtis the movie is 118 min. of poorly done British horror. Mrs. Cubberly (Lynn Redgrave) is hired, by the looks of her teeth, to watch Flora and Miles at Bligh a manor house in the country outside of London. The first thing she encounters with the children is Miles has been thrown out of school for reasons unknown. She thinks she can find out why and change th child before even meeting him. The music was belittling and annoying. The sound effects gave the same effect. The dings throughout the movie in the "scary" parts were move distracting then anything else. If it was meant to set a mood it did, humor. The camera angles made no sense. The special effects didn't exist. Teh ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel were too human. They just looked pale. The only good part of the movie was the acting of Megs Jenkins a sMrs. Grose, she was the only one who successfully portrayed her part. Overall this was a poorly done movie and do not recommend it.