4K Ultra HD Review – The Nightcomers (1971)

      The Nightcomers, 1971.

      Directed by Michael Winner.

      Starring Marlon Brando, Stephanie Beacham, Thora Hird, Verna Harvey, Christopher Ellis, Harry Andrews, Anna Palk.

      SYNOPSIS:

      This film serves as a prequel to Henry James’ classic 'Turn of the Screw,' detailing the events leading up to the deaths of Peter Quint and Ms. Jessel, as well as the gradual corruption of the children in their care.

      Here we have a prequel to Henry James' seminal Gothic horror novella The Turn of the Screw from 1971, featuring a pre-The Godfather Marlon Brando and directed by Michael ‘Death Wish’ Winner—what could possibly be controversial about that? The Turn of the Screw had already been adapted into The Innocents in 1961, a film that still enjoys high acclaim today. Therefore, the selection of Michael Winner to direct a prequel, penned by playwright Michael Hastings and starring the American icon Marlon Brando, was bound to raise eyebrows, yet somehow The Nightcomers works, making it one of the most unusual yet unsettling films of its era.

      Brando portrays Peter Quint, a gardener at a sprawling mansion. When the lord of the manor must leave the estate in haste, he entrusts the orphaned children under his care—whom he is responsible for legally but not emotionally—to his housekeeper, Mrs. Grose (Thora Hird), and governess, Miss Jessel (Stephanie Beacham). However, young Flora (Verna Harvey) and her brother Miles (Christopher Ellis) are deeply troubled and do not interact well with their guardians, choosing instead to spend time with Quint, who fills their heads with his ideas about love and hate as well as wild stories of bad deeds.

      At night, Quint enters the house and engages in sexually and emotionally abusive acts with Miss Jessel, tying her up and having unconventional, brutal encounters with her, oblivious to the fact that the children are observing them. This corruption begins to infiltrate their daily lives as their behavior deteriorates, mimicking the adults and misinterpreting Quint's teachings, leading to a tragic turn of events.

      The Nightcomers is an unconventional horror film, establishing a disquieting atmosphere from the outset and prioritizing unease over shock value. The source of its strangeness is Marlon Brando, who makes Peter Quint a rogue that captivates viewers with his immense charisma and cheeky Irish dialogue—though his accent remains somewhat inexplicable, lying somewhere between Dublin and Captain Hook. This charm helps shape a character who draws the children to him, explaining their fascination.

      Conversely, Mrs. Grose, played by British television veteran Thora Hird, is not bewitched by him; she recognizes his true nature and refuses to allow him inside the house. As the closest thing to a hero, Mrs. Grose thoroughly understands everyone’s motives and is intolerant of foolishness. An archetype of a stuffy English busybody, she becomes a target for the children's mischief, yet Hird’s pragmatic demeanor makes her the character with the most logical response to the unfolding events.

      However, we must remember that Michael Winner is behind the camera, infusing the film with a certain level of sleaze that contrasts with the eerie children and their naughty antics. The intimate scenes between Brando and Stephanie Beacham are difficult to watch, serving almost as a precursor to the infamous Last Tango in Paris (minus the butter). While it’s hard to connect the sadomasochistic dynamic presented here to the characters in Henry James' novella, it’s important to remember that this was the early '70s and Winner was at the helm, so this isn't surprising. At its core, the real horror of the film lies in the children's moral decline, leaving the viewer with an unsettling feeling.

      Presented in 4K UHD by StudioCanal, The Nightcomers isn’t particularly effects-driven (though the corpse discovered towards the end is quite haunting), and while the period costumes are detailed, the film lacks visual strikingness, having been filmed on location in a soft-focus style with natural colors. It’s not a poor transfer by any means, but it doesn’t invoke much excitement either. Additionally, the disc includes two audio commentaries, an introduction by critic and author Kim Newman, a video essay by film historian Kat Ellinger, and interviews with various crew members, providing ample context for viewers.

      Despite its narrative weaknesses, The Nightcomers is a captivating film that doesn’t quite achieve the success its talented cast would suggest. For instance, while Stephanie Beacham is a great actress, her performance is noticeably stronger when she isn’t on screen with Brando—a discrepancy given their characters' relationship. Nevertheless, the film manages to coalesce by the end into an understated horror piece that remains memorable, albeit perhaps not for all