Prequel to Henry James' "The Turn Of the Screw" attempts to show how the two young British children at the center of that story became so disturbed. It turns out the creepy caretaker at their manor (Marlon Brando) seduced their passive nanny into an S&M relationship. Interesting concept, yet director Michael Winner's ham-fisted execution of the material is surely not inviting for an audience (it plays like an R-rated version of "The Innocents"). Damp, creepy atmospherics and a potentially engrossing narrative are each mitigated by Winner's sledgehammer style, which doesn't allow for anything loftier than shock moments (no psychological overtones here!). Soap buffs will be stunned to see ice queen Stephanie Beacham in such a role (although she does garner points for bravery). As for Brando, this is right in keeping with his repertoire of offbeat roles, and he seems to delight in the vulgarity. There's a streak of nastiness running through this film that isn't provocative--just repellent. *1/2 from ****
Review of The Nightcomers
