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Schalcken the Painter

  • TV Movie
  • 1979
  • 1h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
583
YOUR RATING
Jeremy Clyde in Schalcken the Painter (1979)
DramaFantasyHorror

Can Schalcken save his love, Rose, from the clutches of a ghastly suitor before it is too late?Can Schalcken save his love, Rose, from the clutches of a ghastly suitor before it is too late?Can Schalcken save his love, Rose, from the clutches of a ghastly suitor before it is too late?

  • Director
    • Leslie Megahey
  • Writers
    • Sheridan Le Fanu
    • Leslie Megahey
  • Stars
    • Jeremy Clyde
    • Maurice Denham
    • Cheryl Kennedy
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    583
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Leslie Megahey
    • Writers
      • Sheridan Le Fanu
      • Leslie Megahey
    • Stars
      • Jeremy Clyde
      • Maurice Denham
      • Cheryl Kennedy
    • 25User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos75

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    Top cast16

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    Jeremy Clyde
    Jeremy Clyde
    • Godfried Schalken
    Maurice Denham
    Maurice Denham
    • Gerrit Dou
    Cheryl Kennedy
    • Rose
    John Justin
    John Justin
    • Vanderhausen
    Charles Gray
    Charles Gray
    • Narrator - Lefanu
    • (voice)
    Anthony Sharp
    Anthony Sharp
    • Gentleman
    Ann Tirard
    Ann Tirard
    • Brothel Madam
    Val Penny
    • Lesbia
    Roy Evans
    Roy Evans
    • Coachman
    Eric Francis
    Eric Francis
    • Goldsmith
    Victor Dear
    • Manservant
    Rosemary Jenner
    • Maidservant
    Amanda Carlson
    • Francoise
    Helena Clayton
    • Hendrijke
    Charles Stewart
    • Rembrandt
    Sarah Parry
    • Model
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Leslie Megahey
    • Writers
      • Sheridan Le Fanu
      • Leslie Megahey
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews25

    7.0583
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    Featured reviews

    7Bunuel1976

    OMNIBUS: SCHALCKEN THE PAINTER (TV) (Leslie Megahey, 1979) ***

    Nicely-handled period ghost story (by the renowned Irish author J. Sheridan LeFanu, of "Carmilla" fame) that is somewhat lengthy at 70 minutes; its backdrop of classical Dutch painting is, however, admirably evoked throughout in the subdued and tasteful quality of the photography that also extends to the occasional nudity on display which, given the subject matter, was inevitable. The two notable names within the cast each play principal roles: Maurice Denham – from NIGHT OF THE DEMON (1957) – as Schalcken's mentor and John Justin – from the definitive 1940 version of THE THIEF OF BAGDAD – as the mysterious and wizened rich visitor who barters with the former for the hand of his niece (who is secretly in love with the titular figure). Incidentally, both painters truly existed and, apparently, the story was concocted as a means of explaining the sudden change in Schalcken's style of painting and especially the 'story' behind one particular canvas in which he depicts himself defending the honor of his beloved and about to strike at something vaguely visible with a sword!
    purralice

    Better than the Turn of the Screw!

    I saw this film in 1979 and I never forgot it. The way the scenes are set up after old master paintings. In one scene Rembrandt appears briefly at the door in

    wonderful chiaroscuro. The whole film seemed like one moving masterpainting. The horror is the better for being implied as in The turn of the Screw. It is a pity that filmmakers like this are so little known.

    I would pay over the odds to get this on DVD. Filmmaking this excellent doesn't happen often enough. I totally agree with

    other comments.
    10j-j-alexander

    A lost masterpiece

    This visual adaptation of Joseph Sheridan le Fanu's short story is, as I remember, as faithful to the pace and tone of the original work as any film I've come across. As compelling as the story, and lit in a way evocative of Vermeer and Schalken, it proceeds with an attention to static detail and earthiness that one normally associates with Dutch interior pictures of the 17th century, adding to this already addictive blend the grim inevitability of a supernaturally sinister social deal based on personal gain. Anyone interested in this period of Dutch history will gain much enjoyment from this film - paradoxes abound in this curious world of high art, dedication, order, status, lust, pecuniary gain, moral, (and physical), corruption. Truly a lost masterpiece.
    10Beeryus

    One of the best BBC plays ever produced

    Only the BBC has the ability to outdo great writers, and even then, only rarely (Ashenden was one example, Jeeves and Wooster another). Here is one of the best examples: a classic BBC TV play adapted from J. Sheridan LeFanu's chilling short story of the same name.

    The atmosphere of this TV film is incredibly disturbing, and the cast and crew all do a brilliant job to recreate one of the most chilling stories of gothic literature. Godfried Schalcken was a real painter who studied under Gerrit Dou in Leiden (Holland). Schalcken painted figures lit by candlelight, and his paintings are quite atmospheric. It is this dark atmosphere which suffuses LeFanu's work and this TV play. After seeing the movie, I took a trip to Europe, and had the chance to see some of the original paintings. They are brilliant in their depiction of light, shadow, and darkly captivating mood.

    The TV play is a kind of allegory and a mystery, in which a young maiden (a rare appearance by the lovely and talented Cheryl Kennedy) is married off to a mysterious suitor and disappears. It falls to Schalcken (played brilliantly by Jeremy Clyde), who had used the girl as a model, to investigate. The horror that he uncovers haunts him (and his subsequent artworks) forever.

    Unfortunately, like many late-night TV plays that were prevented from making it to VHS by a reactionary '70s era British VHS censorship debacle (the play features a very brief frontal nude scene, performed quite eerily by Cheryl Kennedy), this TV classic is now apparently lost. It has not been seen on TV for over a decade (as far as I'm aware), and like many '70s BBC masterpieces, seems destined to spend decades completely forgotten in some film vault. We can only hope that someone at the BBC will eventually find it and get the powers that be to release it on DVD or VHS. Hopefully soon!
    10kettle41

    The story of the lesser known Flemish painter of the Golden Age

    If you feel moved by the paintings of Vermeer, Gerrit Dou, De Hooch, Frans Hals etc, you cannot fail to be moved by this story of the artist Schalken, a contemporary of the painters above. Directed with artistic delicacy and care, the film is shot almost entirely in what appears to be candle light, and the effect therefore, is both romantic and chilling at the same time. The story revolves around a series of actual paintings by Schalken - the originals of which are approximately 10 inches square - and we are taken through a story of love and ambition and downfall, with several scenes culminating in tableaux reminiscent of the paintings themselves.

    This film was last shown, to my knowlege, on BBC in 1989, and is unavailable for purchase. I am keen to own a copy of it and would be so grateful if anyone has a video recording of it I might buy or even borrow!

    Thanks, Ruth.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Vincent Price was a front runner for The Narrator. Peter Cushing was offered the part but rejected the project as distasteful.
    • Goofs
      14 minutes in, as Schalcken abandons his painting and walks towards Rose, Jeremy Clyde's footsteps on the floor are not in synch with the footsteps we hear.
    • Quotes

      Narrator - Lefanu: In short, Schalcken was in love... as much as a Dutchman can be.

    • Soundtracks
      In Nomine
      (uncredited)

      Music by John Bull

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 23, 1979 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Schalcken, o Pintor
    • Filming locations
      • BBC Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK(Gerrit Dou's studio and all exteriors)
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 8m(68 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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