The Nightcomers (1972)

In the austere setting of Victorian England, the adolescent siblings, Flora and Miles, grapple with the tragic loss of their parents to a fatal car accident in France. Suddenly orphaned, they are left under the watchful eyes of their elderly housekeeper, Mrs. Grose, their governess, Miss Jessel, and the enigmatic gardener, Peter Quint, in their sprawling, desolate mansion. Peter, with his twisted philosophy of love and death, becomes a captivating figure for the impressionable orphans, who are increasingly drawn to his unconventional wisdom and allure. This complex dynamic is further complicated by the clandestine, sadomasochistic relationship between Peter and Miss Jessel, a spectacle of corrupted desires that drives Peter to lead the siblings down a path of perverse sexual initiation. As the mansion's secrets unravel, Mrs. Grose pens an urgent plea to the absent master of the house, demanding the termination of Miss Jessel and Peter Quint's services. However, Flora and Miles, now deeply ensnared in their web of intrigue, devise a chilling strategy to ensure the continued presence of their corruptors. "The Nightcomers" is a darkly captivating prelude to Henry James' timeless classic "Turn of the Screw," masterfully depicting the sinister events that precipitate the demise of Peter Quint and Miss Jessel, and the gradual corruption of the innocent children in their care. This chilling narrative intertwines love, death, and perversion, inviting viewers to delve into the shadowy depths of a Victorian mansion, where innocence meets its tragic end.

The Nightcomers is a drama movie featuring Thora Hird.

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