Cheap Henry James' The Turn of the Screw (DVD) (Ben Bolt (II)) Price

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Customer Reviews of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw

I think that the problem must be in me, because all other reviews said the movie was sterling. I, however, did not actually understand it. Perhaps I will muster up the strength to view it again, but it did nothing for me, left me with no take-away value, disappointed and blue.

I do not think that the Governess May ever connected with the children. But was she supposed to? It appeared that she was enamored with them, but they never bonded to her. This was confusing to me, for it appeared that she was maniacal, obsessed with fighting for children she supposedly loved, but appreared to have no real clear connection with. Yes, I know it is dubbed a psychological thriller. I need to pull out my Psychology books for this one. Or read the book. In my ignorance, the film made no sense to me. Being a screenwriter myself, if nothing else, the movie taught me great lessons about what I do not want in my films.

I had not done my homework, also, in fairness. I thought that Colin Firth had more of a role in the film, which was my first disappointment. I was hoping to see him throughout the film, which did not happen. I literally was clueless throughout the entire film.

I did not understand the servant who seemed to know all that Governess May mentioned, who the ghosts were, etc., but who still seemed obsure, suspicious herself. I did not understand the function of the ghosts, or their connection to everything else going on. You see----I obviously missed the film's entire essence.

As I said, it must be me. This type of movie, though fraught with some great moments of suspense and wonder, and cinematic triumphs in the sense of great shots, still held no greatness to me. The end was a major disappointment. Obviously dark movies are not my favorites. Don't look at this one uninformed. Read up on its plot beforehand.

Henry James would have approved.
I have seen several versions of Henry James' classic thriller "The Turn of the Screw" on film, but this one is the best yet. It was as if the image in my mind when I read the story was suddenly transfered to the screen. The film is perfectly cast, especially Jodhi May as "Miss" the governess. She gives a very strong performance. The soundtrack is haunting, the cinematography spectral - this is just a great film. Henry James would have aproved - I can't put it any stronger than that.

CHILLING HORROR
Any adaptation of a literary work to the screen runs the risk of coming across as too shallow. Such is not the case in Mobile Masterpiece Theatre's presentation of "The Turn of the Screw". You are immediately drawn into the psychological horror with its varied twists and turns that leads to who knows where?

Identify with the naive character who is given the responsibility to manage the family affairs of a young bachelor who refuses to be bothered with his niece and nephew. Beguiled by his sexually powerful aura, our herione takes on the task. She meets perfectly sweet children in Flora and Miles. Miles in particular is precocious. He is also very adept at playing power games that go beyond that of a child having his or her way. She has the perfect job but there is an unsettling sense of evil in the manor. Ghosts of the former governess and valet haunt the scene and "Miss" becomes unglued but ever ready to "save" her charges.

The psychological changes she goes through hits home. Is she mad? Have these ghost pocessed this children? How is it that a ten year old boy sounds and acts like a mature man making a pass at her? How "Miss" solves this mystery yet managing to keep her mind intact is the great challenge. Jodhi May does a splendid job in her performance as she battles evil that has enveloped the children. Truly this is a psychological drama befitting our attention. Its horror as to what has been done to the children is horrifying. Journey with the character through this dilema. At the beginning of this drama we are given an introduction as to the background of this story by James. Setting it in its context makes it all the more chilling for is it indeed fact or fiction? You decide.