Marlon Brando Movie:

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		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

The Nightcomers [Region 2] Reviews:
Victorian Suspense
2009-04-17 - This film is a typical horror film in the gothic Victorian tradition. Brando plays a near-sociopathic handyman while Stephanie Beacham provides his love interest, with an effective sexual chemistry. The movie holds the interest of the viewer pretty well. Stephanie Beacham wrote an autobiography (I forget the title), in which she describes her scenes with Brando in somewhat humorous terms.

Watch it only for Brando.
2009-03-18 - Certainly this film could have been made much more engaging in the hands of a better director.

As it is, however, the only thing worth watching about this movie is Marlon Brando's performance. The two children chosen by Winner to play Flora and Myles are absolutely terrible - they have next to no variation in expression and are just PAINFUL to watch. It's a shame, because the story depended on the two to carry it.

(2.5 STARS) At Best Curiosity
2009-02-06 - "Based on the characters" created by a Henry James novella "The Turn of the Screw," "The Nightcomers" is something of a curiosity. Probably without the name of Marlon Brando, the film would have been totally forgotten by now. My VHS tape's cover says "Don't miss this sexy shocker." Looking back from now, the 1971 Michael Winner film may still look sexy, but is not shocking any more.

Being a "prequel" to the Henry James story (or Jack Clayton's "The Innocents"), the story of "The Nightcomers" revolves around an enigmatic gardener Peter Quint (Marlon Brando) and his love/hate relations with the governess Miss Jessel (Stephanie Beacham). Brando's character also serves as a kind of father-figure to the two children Flora and Miles, whose strange behaviors often annoy the uptight housekeeper Mrs. Grose.

The film offers an interesting interpretation of what happened to Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, whose fates are only vaguely suggested in the original book. Brando's Quint is charismatic and sexy enough to convince us of his liaison with the repressed Miss Jessel, with several scenes that remind us of "Basic Instinct."

Unfortunately the two kids are much less successful, especially Flora. In short, they show no character development and remain uninteresting throughout the story. Once we see through the true nature of these innocent-looking children, which happens pretty early on, we have nothing to discover in their characters.

Instead of psychological nuances or emotional tensions, director Michael Winner (known for his revenge thriller "Death Wish") relies on shock tactics like blowing up a poor toad. I still don't understand why he was hired for this film, which obviously requires more subtle storytelling. In spite of Brando's mesmerizing performances (including his making funny faces), and the good photography that captures the creepy atmosphere of Bly House, "The Nightcomers" is a disappointing entry in Marlon Brando's filmography.

The Night Comers
2008-06-27 - I'm a big fan of Stephanie Beacham so I purchased this video. It's a very strange movie, but I did like it--but not the ending.

Interesting Prequel To Henry James' "Turn Of The Screw"
2008-06-23 - Have you ever watched a theatrical version of Henry James' "Turn of the Screw" and wondered how the groundskeeper, Peter Quint, and the governess, Ms. Jessel, became ghosts? "The Nightcomers" is an interesting, creative story of how they are gruesomely murdered.

Naturally, Marlon Brando ("The Island of Dr. Moreau") is excellent as the perverse Quint who has a sadomasochistic relationship with the beautiful Miss Jessel, (buxom Stephanie Beacham of "Schizo" and "And Now the Screaming Starts). Orphans Miles and Flora are left to their own devises because their wealthy uncle is away on business. Therefore, they spend too much time spying on Quint and Ms. Jessel. The children develop perverse, amoral beliefs about love, life, and the hereafter. They learn that pain is good and hating someone means that you love them.

Beautifully shot and well directed, "The Nightcomers" is an interesting example of gothic horror. Unfortunately, it is very slow paced. The modern viewer will become too bored. It doesn't pick up any steam until the final ten minutes. The finale is horrifying and shocking, but it is not worth the wait.

It is recommended that you rent "The Nightcomers" before purchasing.