Henry James' The Turn of the Screw

Henry James' The Turn of the Screw (Penguin Classics) is one of my all-time favorite psychological suspense novels (or supernatural, whichever way you choose to interpret it), and I have watched several adaptations. One of my personal favorites is The Innocents starring Deborah Kerr, which I felt was most faithful to the ambiguous nature of James' text. I have also watched the disturbing The Nightcomers which is not strictly an adaptation of the source, but more of a prequel to the story, based on a novel written by Michael Hastings, The Nightcomers. It stars Marlon Brando as the corrupter Peter Quint and Stephanie Beacham as the doomed Ms. Jessel. Then there's the updated 2009 adaptation starring Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery and Dan Stevens. Finally, I have managed to watch this 1999 Masterpiece Theatre presentation starring Jodhi May. There are some issues with this adaptation (no one adaptation seems to quite live up to James' text), but overall I thought it had some merits that makes this a recommended watch for fans of the story.Jodhi May (who has been in many period dramas, such as "The Woodlanders", "Daniel Deronda", "The Aristocrats", "The House of Mirth", "The Other Boleyn Girl", and "The Mayor of Casterbridge") portrays newly-appointed governess "Miss" who is instructed by her employer "Master" (Colin Firth) to look after his two young charges, Miles (Joe Sowerbutts) and Flora (Grace Robinson) at his English country estate. The one stipulation is that "Miss" is not to trouble him with anything and that she is to oversee all matters and problems herself.Upon her arrival, Miss is warmly welcomed by the housekeeper, Mrs. Grose (Pam Ferris) and when she inquires about the previous governess, very little information is forthcoming. Flora (Miles is away at boarding school) is charming and pleasant and Miss finds herself at ease. This ends when she spies a strange man standing atop the stone structure of the house, watching her. Then Miles is sent home for the summer with a letter from his principal explaining Miles has been expelled with no concrete reason given as to why. Things gradually begin to escalate when Miss begins to see not only the man but also the ghostly figure of a woman - it turns out these are Peter Quint and Ms. Jessel, former employees at the house, and they are both dead. To her horror, the governess realizes that her charges' very souls are at stake as they have been corrupted by Quint and Jessel.The film is very atmospheric with the imposing manor house serving as the backdrop to the strange occurrences. The cinematography and score aptly convey the pervasive sense of gloom and mystery. Jodhi May is credible as the hapless governess who tries so very desperately to keep her charges safe from what she perceives to be supernatural evil. I thought the actor who portrayed Miles was credible in his portrayal of the corrupted child and similarly the little girl Flora. The menace quotient here in terms of genuine scares is not very high but on the whole, this is a well-made production that I rank as one of the better made adaptations of "The Turn of the Screw."

As a youth I loved horror movies. This was from 1958 to 1961 at its keenest. I saw a TV production of this novelette and enjoyed it while being a bit puzzled. Horror movies led me to the novels and stories that inspired them, such as those by Hugo, Wilde, Poe, Wells, Stevenson, Stoker, Shelley, etc. And of course Henry James, the master of the ghost tale. Once I "figured out" James' unusual style, I was able to follow this one with a bit of mental application. Later, discovering in college the Freudians, I probed whether these ghosts were actual spirits or spirited by the governess' psyche. Now that the Freud factors have fallen in repute, I think it is perhaps a shade more intriguing to accept the ghosts as ghosts. The story assumes more substance once the ghosts are more tangible than figments of repression. This is a thoughtful production, well acted, of the James masterpiece. But I sense a certain "there" is not quite there! I cannot put my finger on it. Still, I recommend this DVD for most James' fans.

Having freshly reread the story as put down by Henry James (I discount my mandatory reading in HS English Lit), this Masterpiece Theatre Public TV WGBH version is as close to the written story (a 'must read' b4 viewing) as seems possible to me. The unknown (to me) actress Jodhi May playing the New young governess does a perfect job. This version even includes the implied possibilty of sex between her and the rakish recruiting Uncle, after hiring her at his Harley St. address in London. Instead of imagining Quint, you will see 'the white face of damnation' and, with Miss Jessel, the grief and sorrow of total defilement. Spoiler: turn of the screw of ordinary human virtue (which prevails at a terrible price). A very close second place to this WGBH version is 'The Innocents' with Deborah Kerr. I also began to view The Turn of the Screw with the fine Lynn Redgrave as New governess but was turned off when the screen-play writer chose to give her a name (Jane Cubberly); Henry James never did. Also, the recruiting Uncle of Harley St. is totally miscast. He's too old and stuffy, and not a 'rake' at all! But for the sake of the great story, I will watch this one also, clear thru, looking for some redeeming qualities... Now for a 2nd viewing of 'The Haunting' (of Hill House - 1963 ) by Robert Wise, a favorite director of mine (check his credits in your thick movie book!)

This now legionary work of fiction with many admirers/critics depends on the reader's/watcher's belief for its effect. Is there spirit survival? If so, can it effect the continuity of life it once had? Take your choice. This particular presentation sticks to the text. In Henry James' time some things wouldn't be said and barely hinted at. The evil practiced by the spirits in life they try to finish now. Their adversary finally prevails but at a fearful price. To be successful the drama has to clearly show that the evil and its agents are alien to the life they are attacking. This is a fairly good attempt. The question for the witness is whence the power the ghosts are wielding? James left that to the reader to figure out.

An adaption of the 1898 Novella by Henry James. Is the governess mentally ill or do the ghosts exist ? No one will ever know. A governess is hired to look after two orphans by their uncle. Henry James wrote the ghost story based on a true account told to him by a priest while having tea.The scenery and backdrop are almost splendid. Some criticize the acting but I think it was remarkable for a made for TV."Be thee a spirit of health or a goblin damned !"4 STARS.

It was good but it was well written but we hardly saw Colin firth only at the beginning but Pam Ferris was very good as housekeeper

A VOIR QUE POUR LA PRESENCE DE COLIN FIRTHJ'AI PAS TROP ACCROCHE A L'HISTOIRE MAIS PAS MALQUAND MEME

地方の邸宅に住む二人の子供の家庭教師として赴任した女性が、前任の家庭教師ジェセル、使用人クィントの亡霊から子供たちを守ろうとする戦いを描いたヘンリージェイムス「ねじの回転」を映画化したものはTV映画も含めて幾つかの配役版が知られており、 回転 [DVD ]がクラシックとして知られています。この映画は主演ジョディ　メイの演技を見せることに重さを置いている様で、幽霊の登場シーンの殆どが昼でありゴーストストーリーとしての色合いは薄められています。子供たちとの間の壁や誰にも幽霊の目撃を信じられる精神的に追い詰められてゆく教師の姿を演じている部分は評価できますが、怖さという点では今一つで、この評価にしました。 回転 [DVD