The Nightcomers – 1972 | 96 mins | Horror | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Michael Winner directed this tawdry prequel to Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw called The Nightcomers, based on a Michael Hastings script called If I Kill You, Will You Die? The atmosphere-drenched Victorian period film is primarily memorable for its torrid scenes of Marlon Brando and Stephanie Beacham engaged in a sweaty sadomasochistic affair, dutifully copied by the two children in their charge. Badly acted and poorly written, this was another addition to Michael Winner’s long list of ill-conceived ideas.

When their parents die in an accident, orphans Flora and Miles are entrusted by their Uncle (Harry Andrews) into the care of governess Miss Jessel (Stephanie Beacham) and housekeeper Mrs Grose (Thora Hird) on a large British country estate. But it is really Quint (Marlon Brando), the Irish servant, who really runs the house and particularly Miss Jessel who submits herself totally to him. The increasingly unpleasant children see Quint as a fascinating source of knowledge and believing everything he says is true adopt him as a surrogate father, however skewed his vision on life may be. Mrs Grose catches the children re-enacting Quint and Miss Jessel’s love-making and subsequently forbids Quint from entering the house. The children become disturbed that their tranquil home will fall apart, and when Quint tells the children ‘if you love somebody you want to kill them’ they take his words literally. It is this influence on Flora and Miles that leads to the ultimate demise of Miss Jessel and Quint.