A young ex Jesuita priest seminarist , Pedro Mari Sánchez , is assigned by a count , Luis Iriondo , to take care of two loner kiddies , Cristina Goyanes and Asier . But their souls are possessed by a dark and unimaginable evil in the luxurious mansion . Meanwhile , there appears weird ghosts as the previous gardener and his lover, the former governess whom he thinks are corrupting the innocent kids .
Yet an other rendition as a young teacher struggling with sex obsession , ghosts and the two children in his care . Eloy De la Iglesia does well in this thrilling flick correctly adapted from the Henry James story . Main actor Pedro Mari Sanchez gives a decent acting as the too-impressionable ex Jesuita who left his habits and believes the gardener influence on the young children was thought to be malevolent ; in addition , Queta Claver is excellent as the housekeeper . In this retelling is changed some aspects , such as the main starring results to be a man , the religion is Catholic no Anglican and settings being in Euskadi . It packs an atmospheric and colorful cinematography by Juan Gelpi . And an evocative and appropriate musical score by Luis Iriondo who also plays a a count , and including some Basque songs . Here filmmaker Eloy Iglesia gives an unexpected academic and acceptable version , abandoning his ordinary provocation . While his previous films were more extremely explicit and provoking , here Eloy chooses an adequate suggestion . This is his strangest film by an unusual director.
This vintage novel ¨Turn of a Screw¨ has been adapted several times , these are the followings : 1974 by Dan Curtis with Lynn Redgrave , Eva Griffith . 1989 by Graeme Clifford with Amy Irving , David Hemmings . 1992 by Rusty Lemorande with Patsy Kensit , Julián Sands , Stephen Audran . 1999 by Ben Bolt with Colin Firth , Jodhi May , Pan Ferris . Other recounting , 1999 , titled ¨Presence of Mind¨ by Anthony Aloy with Sadie Frost , Lauren Bacall , Harvey Keitel . And a prequel titled ¨Los Últimos Juegos Prohibidos¨ or ¨The Nightcomers¨ by Michael Winner with Marlon Brando , Stephanie Beacham , Harry Andrews . And , of course , the best and immortal rendition turned to be ¨The innocents¨ by Jack Clayton with Deborah Kerr , Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklyn .