Okay, I suppose I can't deny that the film at least follows the PLOT of the novella on which it is based; that, however, is practically the only respect in which it remains true to the original work. It manages, quite spectacularly, to iron out all of the subtlety, ambiguity and eerie suggestiveness of James's writing, replace his complex yet endearing governess with a sort of wimpy irresolute teenager character, and destroy would should be genuinely chilling appearances of the ghosts with distracting camera work and a distinct lack of tact (the governess at one stage actually chases Miss Jessel down the stairs). The characters of the guardian, Mrs. Grose and Flora are played with a degree of sensitivity, but Miles becomes here not so much brilliant and charming, rather just precocious and annoying. I would urge anyone who enjoyed the book to steer clear of this production, lest it ruin your visual memory of what is an unforgettably haunting tale.
