Review of The Nightcomers (1972) by Stuart K — 24 Apr 2009

Michael Winner has made alot of films of varying and questionable quality and taste over the years. However, this is one where he actually put his mind to it and made a good film, he was able to secure one of the most iconic actors of his time, along with a couple of unlikely supporting actors!! The film is a prequel to events described in Henry James' novel 'Turn of the Screw', created by playwright Michael Hastings, it focuses on Flora (Verna Harvey) and Miles (Christopher Ellis), two recently orphaned children, who live with their guardian (Harry Andrews).

The guardian leaves abruptly one day, and they're left in the care of the old housekeeper Mrs. Grose (Thora Hird), the governess Miss Jessel (Stephanie Beacham) and the gardener Peter Quint (Marlon Brando).

The children have a good friendship with Quint, who misleads them on the facts of life, and Quint also has a violent sexual relationship with Miss Jessel. It's a very dark and lurid film, but it is well made for it's time, and although Brando's Irish accent is dodgy, his performance is very sinister, and it's worth it to see him in the same film with the likes of Thora Hird and Stephanie Beacham!!