Henry James' The Turn of the Screw
by Ben Bolt (II)
List Price:
Our Price: $9.88
You Save: $10.07 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.50 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Colin Firth, Grace Robinson, Jodhi May, Joe Sowerbutts, Pam FerrisDirector: Ben Bolt (II)
Brand: PBS
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 120 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-04-13
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: PBS
Movie Reviews of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw
Movie Review: Disturbing and rather chilling
Summary: 5 Stars
When a young woman (played by Jodhi May) begins her job as governess, everything seems to be perfect. However, there are secrets in her new house, and when she begins to see the ghosts of recently deceased servants, it becomes clear that there is evil afoot. However, no one else can see the ghosts, and her actions begin to seem more and more deranged. How can she protect her two charges, and what must she do? [Color, released in 1999, with a running time of 1:40 (2 hours with the Masterpiece Theatre introduction and so forth).]
Overall, I found this to be a disturbing and rather chilling movie. The original Henry James' story is considered a classic ghost story, but in this movie, things are much less clear. Is the governess a sensitive young woman, who is struggling to overcome the machinations of a pair of evil ghosts who are establishing a grip on the previously angelic children? Or, is she a sexually repressed young woman whose psyche is moving her towards madness? It's up to you to decide...if you can!
Yes, this is an excellent movie, one that is certain to scare and disquiet you. I enjoyed this movie, and highly recommend it to you.
Summary of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw
A naive, young governess (May) is hired by a charming bachelor (Firth) to look after his two young children in a grand mansion in rural England. She is determined to make the most of her situation, despite the Master's strange stipulation that she never contact him. Her first impressions are all good?the house is beautiful, the housekeeper (Ferris) is friendly, the children are lovely and the job is a perfect delight. But then, she sees the ghosts of the former valet, Peter Quint and a previous governess, Miss Jessel, and everything changes. The young governess is convinced that the children can see the ghosts, that they can communicate with them, and and that their very souls are in danger. She feels she alone can save them from a horrifying fate.Jodhi May (A World Apart), Pam Ferris (Matilda) and Colin Firth (Pride and Prejudice, Shakespeare in Love) star in this chilling adaptation of Henry James' gripping horror story, The Turn of the Screw.
Special DVD features include: link to the Masterpiece TheatreWeb site; scene selections; and closed captions.
On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: 4 x 3 full frame.
Henry James's classic ghost story of psychological suspense provides the basis for this Masterpiece Theatre presentation. Jodhi May, with her warm and open demeanor, is perfectly cast as "Miss," the generically named governess at a grand British estate. Her charges are two seemingly angelic little orphans. Miss can't believe her good fortune at landing such a delightful job. "Am I dreaming?" she asks kindly, corpulent housekeeper Mrs. Grose (Pam Ferris). But dream turns to nightmare as the house's spectral inhabitants reveal themselves to her. Miss becomes obsessed with protecting her precious "little creatures" from the vile phantasms. The movie is satisfyingly spooky and makes us jump in all the right places. The children, Flora (Grace Robinson) and Miles (Joe Sowerbutts), are genuinely creepy. "When I'm bad, Miss, I really am extremely bad," asserts little Miles, and we believe him. This provocative adaptation of The Turn of the Screw breathes new life into James's morbid Victorian obsession with sexuality and morality. --Laura Mirsky
Similar DVD Movies
Where the Truth Lies (Unrated Theatrical Edition)Sony; Release date: 2006-02-28; DVD
Best price: $2.00
Price in other shops:
Then She Found MeImage Entertainment; Release date: 2008-09-02; DVD
Best price: $2.99
Price in other shops:
Lost EmpiresAMG; Release date: 2011-09-27; DVD
Best price: $31.94
Price in other shops:
ValmontRelease date: 2002-09-17; DVD
Best price: $20.98
My Life So FarEBH; Release date: 2011-09-20; DVD
Best price: $2.55
Price in other shops:
Dorian GrayE1E; Release date: 2010-08-24; DVD
Best price: $6.81
Price in other shops:
The Widowing of Mrs. HolroydWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-08-19; DVD
Best price: $6.47
Price in other shops:
CamilleIMG; Release date: 2011-01-04; DVD
Best price: $7.06
Price in other shops:
Summer in GenoaE1E; Release date: 2011-04-12; DVD
Best price: $6.55
Price in other shops:
The InnocentsTCFHE; Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $6.88
Price in other shops: