Schalcken the Painter

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.

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.

There's no point repeating what other viewers have said - this is one of the great lost classics of BBC television.A stunning piece of work, and the climactic scene is both erotic and horrific.

It may not originally have been "A Ghost Story for Christmas", but I'm sure it was shown in that slot at some point in the 80s.

There was a companion piece made in 1987 - again with Charles Gray as narrator - this time based on an incident the life of Italian painter Cariani. It was called Cariani and the Courtesans, and starred a pre-Withnail Paul McGann.

It lacks the atmosphere or the horror of the earlier piece, but it's worth a look if the chance ever presents itself.

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.

The young lover of a student artist in 17th century Holland is spirited away in marriage by her guardian to a grim, wealthy suitor. Years pass, and the student becomes successful, but then he finds her again ...

A strange, cold story, with a fabulously eerie climax. Shot with all eyes on recreating the image of Dutch interiors, still lifes and portraits from the era, and very spare with the dialogue. I did feel the lovers' relationship should have been given more substance, but the performances are excellent, and the psychology of the protagonist is deep and not easy to understand. The outstanding theme is the treatment of women as objects, but the message is complex and rounded out with inevitable terror as life's betrayals and compromises accumulate.

Pace is a little slow and solemn. Music is harpsichord, sometimes contrasting in mood with what's on screen.

Overall, very interesting and the scene in the vault is a good 'un.