The Turn of the Screw

I wanted to leave a review partly because the only other review on here gave it only four stars. For such a low budget flick, I think they did an excellent job with the story. I liked this version better than The Innocents movie (which might be the most popular straight adaptation of The Turn of the Screw as far as I can tell). And the little twist with having it be a dress rehearsal for a play while not changing much, it makes the low budget effects work better since it's like watching a play, and adds a little fun in my opinion with the two missing actors, the mysterious director, and the (mostly) empty theater.

So an actress shows up to a theater to do a play rehearsal. The premiere is supposedly the next night, and this is a rehearsal in front of an empty theater.

So this woman is put through her paces in this empty theater by 'cast' that appears around her. And set pieces that show up when the theater lights go down.

The story is somewhat interesting. I'm just not sure of the point of it all. Maybe I missed something. She makes it through the rehearsal. And then finds out that all the actors she was performing were not exactly what she was expecting.

Really it's an okay story. Cheap, but okay. Can't give it more than a 4/10.

Firstly, you really already have to like English, Gothic Ghost Stories if you are going to enjoy this one at all. And this story is probably one of THE most Classic of them all.

It's an interesting approach setting the story as a play that is being rehearsed. And, if you do enjoy low-key, Gothic chillers and you don't mind a slow-burn pace like most of them are, then you should enjoy this one.

The atmosphere is done really well. You always know it is a play, but the lighting, effects, and mostly the atmosphere are done so well that other than the lighting fade-ins and fade-outs you almost forget it at times. I notice that the one person here who rated this a '4' said that they 'Didn't get the point' and got VERY close to giving too much away. Unlike most of the other versions of this story ( I think I must have almost all of them :D ) the main thrust of this one isn't so much the ending, although that does have a nice little twist. But, to me, like the other versions, it primarily is about the mood and journey through the well known story. Also, the performance of the main actress is very strong, so her reactions play a very significant part in the story, since from her standpoint she is supposed to be rehearsing for a play. So, that carries the greater weight of the story.

Again, this is a slow-burn, English Gothic Ghost Story. So, if you find those boring then you will very likely also find this one that way too. I only say that to save you from bothering to watch something that you won't enjoy, and hopefully to prevent further unnecessary low ratings from those who simply don't care for films like this. I very much liked the way they came up with this unique approach to a story that has been done many times. The children's performances were quite good, especially the little fellow playing Miles.

If you are familiar with the story, there is nothing much different in the telling of it, with the strong exception of the setting and the ending. I'm surprised that more people have not seen it and left reviews. As of the moment there are only 2 reviews here that, in my lowly and wretched opinion, one of them is kind of either missing the point (which they admit) or this just is not the kind of film for them.

If you mostly enjoy more action or graphically Horror oriented movies, you will likely find this one quite slow, even boring. But, if, like me, you really enjoy not only this Classic story, but also a nicely done, low-key, old fashioned Gothic atmosphere, then there is a good chance that you may like this one.