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.


The Turn of the Screw?   December 27, 2004
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Okay, I suppose I can't deny that the film at least follows the PLOT of the novella on which it is based; that, however, is practically the only respect in which it remains true to the original work. It manages, quite spectacularly, to iron out all of the subtlety, ambiguity and eerie suggestiveness of James's writing, replace his complex yet endearing governess with a sort of wimpy irresolute teenager character, and destroy would should be genuinely chilling appearances of the ghosts with distracting camera work and a distinct lack of tact (the governess at one stage actually chases Miss Jessel down the stairs). The characters of the guardian, Mrs. Grose and Flora are played with a degree of sensitivity, but Miles becomes here not so much brilliant and charming, rather just precocious and annoying. I would urge anyone who enjoyed the book to steer clear of this production, lest it ruin your visual memory of what is an unforgettably haunting tale.


Very Scary is not enough ...   July 17, 2002
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

My wife loves James' novels so we ordered this video.
The video is really great but really really scary. Watching it alone - perhaps before going to bed - it will give you goose bumps. They took a bit of liberty on some of the Jamesian dialogue but if you like ghost stories this is you movie and you have to have it!


Very Scary !   July 16, 2001
 25 out of 26 found this review helpful

I ordered the video because it had Colin Firth in it ... well don't blink because you'll miss him. Despite that the story is absolutely brilliant. I was gripped and the scary bits made me jump ... and even now 24 hours after watching the film, I still can't believe the ending. If you enjoy pschological thrillers get this, it really is very good.