The Turn Of The Screw (WGBH)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: D Telefilm: B-
Are the goings on in the house supernatural or not? Are the innocent children really demonic or
does it just seem that way? These are
old staples of Horror and suspense, with one of the earliest such examples
being by Henry James. The Turn Of
The Screw is a classic in literature, of course, and has been adapted many
times. Besides its influence, the very
title speaks of increased tension and suspense, so any adaptation should offer
the same. Ben Bolt’s 1999 version from Masterpiece
Theater is nicely acted and has some fine production values; even a good
cast, but the suspense part does not pan out very well.
A new governess (Jodhi May) has been hired to take care of
two children on the strange stipulation that their father/guardian (Colin
Firth) never be contacted. Many have
already turned the job down because they did not like that condition. When she accepts, everyone seems, happy, but
the children already seem out of their element. As things get worse, all the usual questions can be asked. In addition, we can also ask if she is
losing her mind and if the children can really see dead people.
The production is so straightjacketed that it never finds
its darkest side, making this a great version for the by-the-numbers and
scholar study crowd, but it never clicks in any way and you are better off
moving onto another version. We hope to
find a more effective one soon.
The 1.33 X 1 image is soft and mixed, with downbeat colors
and detail issues, while the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no surrounds and the
disc has hardly any extras save a weblink.
Better to move on.
- Nicholas Sheffo
