Presence of Mind (1999)

Henry James' classic tale of terror, "The Turn of the Screw" receives yet another screen adaptation in this thriller shot in Spain. A young woman (Sadie Frost) is hired to serve as a ... See full summary »

Director:

Antoni Aloy

Writers:

Henry James (novel), Barbara Gogny (screenplay)

Stars:

Sadie Frost, Lauren Bacall, Ella Jones

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sadie Frost	...	Governess
Lauren Bacall	...	Mado Remei
Ella Jones	...	Flora
Nilo Zimmerman	...	Miles (as Nilo Mur)
Harvey Keitel	...	The Master
Agustí Villaronga	...	Fosc (as Agustin Villaronga)
Dayna Danika	...	Miss Jessel
Jude Law	...	Secretary
Jack Taylor	...	Father
Luz Fortuny	...	Aunt
Tom Keller	...	Photographer
María Dulce Roselló	...	Mourner 1
Lydia Zimmermann	...	Mourner 2
Daniel Isidro	...	Coachman
Juana Ginzo	...	Bel (as Juana Guinzo)

Storyline

Henry James' classic tale of terror, "The Turn of the Screw" receives yet another screen adaptation in this thriller shot in Spain. A young woman (Sadie Frost) is hired to serve as a governess for two children, Miles and Flora (Nilo Mur and Ella Jones). She is hired by their uncle, the Master (Harvey Keitel), who became the guardian of the youngsters after the death of their parents. While the governess is initially enthusiastic about her job, Miles and Flora soon prove to be quite a handful, and the housekeeper Mrs. Grose (Lauren Bacall), who oversees most of the activities at the Master's estate, is openly antagonistic to her. Before long, the governess discovers the house bears a dark secret involving Miss Jessel (Dayne Danika), the previous governess, and Fosc (Agusti Villaronga), the Master's former valet. El Celo was the first feature from Director Antoni Aloy.

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural power | psychotronic film | barefoot boy | bare chested boy | nude boy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-G

Did You Know?

Quotes

Governess: What are you doing here?
Flora: I told you. I come here to bury my secrets.
Governess: No more secrets, Flora. Tell me where she is.
Flora: Who, miss?
Governess: Tell me, my pet, where is Miss Jessel?
Flora: Miss Jessel?
Governess: Yes!
[to Mado Remei]
Governess: See? See? There she is! Out on the water!
Mado Remei: I can't see anything.
[...]

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Connections

Version of The Turn of the Screw (2009)

User Reviews

Rating should be "R" instead of PG-13

I am surprise this movie only received a PG-13 rating? The frontal nudity and taboo subjects explored in this film warrants a "R" rating. I know European rating standards are different from the United States,but there should be a warning on the DVD. The movie wasn't scary as it tempted to address the psychological affects ghosts has on the children. I have seen several versions of this story based on Herny James "Turn of the Screw" This version rates average. The costumes and acting is far superior than the screenplay. The best "Haunted children movies" is by far Nicole Kidman's "The Others" brilliant acting and screenplay, which was influenced by "The Turn of the Screw" I have a bone to pick. Why hire a actor whose accent is not the same as the rest of the cast? That can be so annoying.

Details

Country:

Spain USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 2001 (Spain)

Also Known As:

A Outra Volta do Parafuso

Filming Locations:

Bunyola, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Enrique Cerezo Producciones Cinematográficas S.A., Presence of Mind LLC, Televisión Española (TVE)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color