Highly Overrated But Still Good

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

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 .

A pretty rare screen adaptation of Henry James' classic novel, from prolific Spanish director Eloy de la Inglesia. I really liked it a lot, but the only problem is that I couldn't help but to compare it to "The Innocents", which is of course a better film, and thus diminishing the impact as intended. Nevertheless, it's a classy, atmospheric throw-back to slow-burning haunted house films of the 60's, spiced up with an underlying gay subplot (The role of the governess is replaced by a troubled male tutor, whom the Miles character tries to seduce), thus giving even more empashis to James' theme of sexual repression. The locations at the Spanish coast are simply gorgeous and lavishly photographed, and particularly reminded me of the seaside castles featured in Corman's Poe films, although I'm not sure that was de Inglesia's intention. Again on a visual note, the film makes great use of candle-light and natural lighting in some scenes, creating this strange, ethereal atmosphere that adds to the brooding Gothic tone of the piece. Speaking of which, I was surprised that the film actually managed to scare me, with a few scenes involving the servants' ghosts that actually kept me from having a good night sleep. The acting is quite good too, specially the two child actors who play Miguel (the Miles character) and Flora respectively, who are just effortlessly creepy. Pedro Mari Sánchez, who plays the the tutor Roberto, is also quite good, although seeing him speaking some of the same lines as Deborah Kerr did in 1961 was rather amusing. Overall, a spooky Spanish gem that is highly recommended for fans of either James' novel or "The Innocents". It's hard to find, but it's worth it. 8/10