The Nightcomers Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		2.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		2.5

The Nightcomers Blu-ray Movie Review

A prequel to the novel "The Turn of the Screw"

The Nightcomers is a surprising prequel story which is set to the classic Henry James story The Turn of the Screw. Unlike the novel, the film takes on a different approach to the storytelling as it attempts to establish the origins of the famous novel with its own style and approach. This Gothic filmmaking attempt takes on a much different and darker course.

Starring Marlon Brando as the groundskeeper Peter Quint, The Nightcomers explores the household of Miss Jessel (Stephanie Beacham) and the young children with whom she helps raise along with the maid Mrs. Grose (Thora Hird). Flora (Verna Harvey) and Miles (Christopher Ellis) are the two kids living under her roof. As the story progresses, it unfolds by focusing on the destructive and dangerous behavior of the sadistic Peter Quint.

With a dark menace underneath, the cruel groundskeeper starts a lurid sexual relationship with Jessel in which his sadistic cruelty comes to light. He torments Jessel and acts as a cruel man without a heart. At a distance, the young children start to take notice of the groundskeeper's sadistic games and they even attempt to try and imitate Quint. These events lead to more trouble than was bargained for.

Audiences hoping for a close adaptation or interpretation of the novel will walk away with a sense of disappointment. This prequel incarnation is a dark, brooding affair which doesn't manage anything that comes close to a sense of authenticity. The Nightcomers is a giant misfire that should ultimately be left forgotten.

The film does have some impressive elements such as the music score by Jerry Fielding (The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs) and the cinematography by Robert Paynter (Superman II, Trading Places). However, the screenplay by Michael Hastings (The Adventurers, Fox Mystery Theater) is rather brooding, dark, and hastily written. The character of Peter Quint is poorly written and developed.

Ultimately, The Nightcomers is not a film which succeeds at it's concept and the film's direction by Michael Winner (Death Wish, The Sentinel) feels darkly misogynistic and menacing. Stylistically the film is a mess with a poor pace and weak stylistic flourishes which feel more in vein with a made-for-television affair than a film starring someone of the caliber of Marlon Brando. Brando fans might still wish to seek the film out just for his performance but it's not a film which can be easily recommended. A disappointing mess.

The Nightcomers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Nightcomers arrives on Blu-ray from Kino with a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. This is a weak presentation which will leave viewers shrugging their shoulders. The colors are consistently flat during the transfer. The film has a number of print scratches, warble, and damage which showcases the poor quality of the source used. The video is quite poor in motion. There are even a few moments in the film where hair is noticeably on the print and these types of defects do distract from the viewing experience. The film grain is retained but it's somewhat messy and garbled looking with poor grain management and telecine issues that are hard to ignore.

The Nightcomers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio presentation is a rather weak lossless audio mix. While it's a step above the poor quality of the transfer itself, the audio lacks good dynamics or fidelity. While dialogue is easy to understand it is neither crisp or clear. The entire track sounds dated and like little was done to try to restore it. The music sounds hollow and lacks in fine detail. This is without a doubt a poor presentation.

The Nightcomers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Audio commentary by director Michael Winner

Audio commentary by film historian Kat Ellinger

Introduction by director Michael Winner (SD, 1 min. 28 sec.)

Theatrical Teaser (SD, 35 sec.)

Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2 min. 03 sec.)

The Nightcomers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Nightcomers is a dull and dark gothic film which is not worth one's time or energy. The only thing audiences might want to consider checking the film out for is the performance by Marlon Brando. The character of Peter Quint is sadistic and unlikable but Brando is convincing in his performance. The film has a poor presentation. Given the quality of the film itself and it's lack of a real restoration, the release is easy to pass on. SKIP IT.