Review - The Turn of the Screw (1974)

Dan Curtis's adaptation of Henry James's classic novel, scripted by William F. Nolan, is heavily influenced by the 1961 Jack Clayton production but has enough of its own additions to make it interesting.

Lynn Redgrave is an admirable governess, here named Miss Cubberly; her character is mentally stronger and more domineering than Deborah Kerr's. Redgrave is also a more age-appropriate governess. Megs Jenkins, who played Mrs. Grose in The Innocents, resumes the role here. Kathryn Leigh Scott of Dark Shadows has scattered but ominous appearances as the wicked Miss Jessel and Peter Quint is portrayed by James Laurenson (who resembles James Storm of Dark Shadows). Bly is expanded by the addition of a stablehand and his son.

The children are played by Eva Griffiths and Jasper Jacob and are portrayed much differently than in either the earlier movie or the book. I've always pictured Flora and Miles to be about 6 and 10, but this Flora is 9 and Miles is 13 (though Jacob looks at least 16--much too old for either the role or a governess). I've read that aging Miles's character was the result of an emergency last-minute casting change when the original actor, Mark Lester, dropped out. Nevertheless, the situation does work.

In this version, Miles is more obviously disturbed, morbid, and sadistic. Because he is older, he is also more intimidating and harder to control. Among the other changes in the movie are the presentation of the kids' uncle as a cold, cruel, elderly, intimidating jerk rather than the traditional charming bachelor with whom the governess is supposedly secretly infatuated. However, his disposition suggests why he might have been motivated to hire Quint and Jessel; all are equally depraved.

There is no doubt the ghosts are real in this movie, which makes it slightly more appealing to a viewer who prefers an overt supernatural presence. Nor is the suspense lessened in any way for focusing on the struggle between supernatural evil and human beneficence rather than the question of ghosts v. madness. The film also returns to the novel's psychosexual overtones by including tension between Miss Cubberly and Miles and a dream sequence of Quint ravishing the governess.

The movie was shot on location on an English country estate and blends filmed exteriors with videotaped interiors. The results are mixed. The acting is above average, especially young Jacob, who had to assume the role abruptly. Unfortunately, the story drags and the film isn't particularly scary or atmospheric (though there are some exciting shots from the point of view of a ghost approaching the house). Even the children's blatant shenanigans fail to inspire uneasiness. On the other hand, the ending is far more diabolical and chilling than in other versions I've seen.