Henry James Movies

Scott McGehee and David Siegel's adaptation of Henry James' novel What Maisie Knew stars Julianne Moore as Susanna, a self-involved rock star whose marriage to the equally egotistical Beale (Steve Coogan) is falling apart. They are both less-than-good parents to their six-year-old daughter Maisie (Onata Aprile). Maisie finds some solace in the care of the family's nanny as well as when she's looked after by Susanna's new boyfriend. What Maisie Knew screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

A battle between real estate moguls and environmental activists takes an unexpected turn into affairs of the heart in this satiric update of Henry James' The Bostonians. Gavin Ransom (Noah Wyle) is a successful real estate developer who has made a tidy fortune putting up gated communities filled with expensive suburban homes all over California. Ransom intends to put up another such development in the as-yet-untouched hillsides of Northern California's Marin County, and, just as he's expected, a number of folks living nearby are objecting to the project, including his sister Olive (Illeana Douglas), an environmental activist who has sided with longtime resident Eileen Boatwright (Cloris Leachman) and progressive lawyer Sybil (Jane Lynch) against the development. Olive and her compatriots get some unexpected support when Zoe Tripp (Kate Mara), a modern folk singer and the daughter of old-school Marin County hippies (Keith Carradine and Valerie Perrine), takes an interest in their protests and begins singing out against Gavin's proposal with guitar in hand. Gavin unexpectedly finds himself growing powerfully infatuated with Zoe, and Olive, a long-closeted lesbian, is equally taken with her; consequently, as the siblings battle against building several dozen cookie-cutter mansions, they also wage a private war for the affections of the young songstress. The Californians was directed by Jonathan Parker, who when not busy with film projects is himself a California real estate developer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This adaptation of the classic novel by Henry James, produced for British television and shown in the United States as part of PBS's Masterpiece Theatre series, stars Jodhi May as Miss, a young woman hired as a governess by the Master (Colin Firth), a charming but mysterious man who wants Miss to care for his two children, with the unusual stipulation that she have no contact with him. Despite this edict, Miss becomes infatuated with the Master and comes to enjoy her work; the children are good-natured and fun to care for, and she makes a good friend in housekeeper Mrs. Grose (Pam Ferris). But, one day, she sees something strange in the house: the ghost of Peter Quint (Jason Salkey), the Master's former valet, who died under mysterious circumstances. Miss learns that her predecessor as governess, Miss Jessel (Caroline Pegg), also drowned, in an incident that raised many questions, with some believing the Master to blame. Miss learns that the children can see the ghosts too, though most adults cannot, and she fears that she has fallen into a situation of grave danger. The Turn of the Screw was directed by Ben Bolt, whose previous television experience includes the series Prime Suspect and An Unsuitable Job for a Woman. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Meg Richman made her feature directorial debut with this modernization of Henry James' Wings of the Dove, set in Seattle where musician Cynthia (Molly Parker) breaks up with drug-addict Buck (Aden Young). After Cynthia answers an ad for a live-in caretaker, she meets Eleanor Dunston (Joely Richardson), who is dying of cancer. The two becomes friends, despite Cynthia's obvious envy of Eleanor's life of luxury at her large estate. Realizing that she still loves Buck, she introduces him to Eleanor as her half-brother, and he gets work as a gardener on the grounds. Observing Eleanor's interest in Buck, she moves to manipulate the situation and has the reluctant Buck begin a relationship with Eleanor. Made for telecasting by Showtime, this feature was shown at the 1998 Sundance film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

This film is the second effort to bring to the screen the 1880 Henry James novel of the same title (the first was The Heiress in 1949). Set in 1850 among the aristocracy of New York, Washington Square examines the inhibitions of Catherine Sloper (Jennifer Jason Leigh), the only child of wealthy Dr. Austin Sloper (Albert Finney). Catherine is clumsy and shy and something of an embarrassment to her high-class father. Dr. Sloper still unconsciously resents the child because her birth caused the death of his wife. He also disapproves of Catherine's attraction to Morris Townsend (Ben Chaplin), warning her that the handsome young man is after her money. He takes Catherine to Europe and warns her to break off her relationship with Morris, but she defies him. Townsend proposes, and Catherine accepts despite her father's threats to disinherit her if she marries him. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Based on a story by Henry James and set in the late 19th century, this complex and irony-laced French costume drama chronicles the convoluted relationship between young Morgan and his highly intelligent tutor Julien. When the 25-year-old Julien is first hired, teen-aged Morgan objects. A power struggle ensues until eventually student and teacher earn each other's grudging respect. The struggle causes a bitter awakening for both Julien, who loses much of his child-like innocence and the more worldly Morgan who has reveled in the false notion of his family's wealth and moral superiority. The truth, that his clan is both morally and financially bankrupt, is devastating to Morgan. Ten years quickly pass and the family is next seen trying desperately to retain its upper-class dignity and lifestyle in Russia. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Previously and brilliantly filmed by director Jack Clayton as The Innocents in 1961, Henry James' classic psychological-horror novel The Turn of the Screw was remade 34 years later in the form of this TV movie, which changes the original locale and several character names. American governess Helen Walker (Valerie Bertinelli) arrives at an ornate English country estate, there to take charge of two orphaned siblings, Flora (Florence Hoath) and Mile (Aled Roberts). That the children are rude and ill-mannered does not unduly rattle Helen, who expects this sort of behavior in children of privilege. What is disturbing is that the youngsters' game-playing often takes on an unsavory sexual subtext far beyond their tender years. This, and a few strange "sightings", leads Helen to the startling conclusion that the children are under the power of the ghosts of their former caregivers--a sadistic handyman and an evil governess who died despising one another, and intend to "resolve" their kinky carnal issues using the youngsters as their pawns! Though handled with surprising subtlety and austerity, The Haunting of Helen Walker somehow falls short of the eerie brilliance of the 1961 The Innocents, and without being unduly cruel, it can be said that Valerie Bertinelli is no Deborah Kerr. Filmed on location near Readling, England, the TV movie premiered December 3, 1995 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This film offers yet another film version of Henry James classic supernatural thriller. It all begins when an aristocratic uncle hires a nanny to watch over his innocent niece and nephew who are living in a large country manse. Soon she discovers that the poor children have been possessed. She also finds herself victimized by her own obsession. Tragedy follows when she tries to free the children from evil. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this version of the classic novel by Henry James, Amy Irving stars as an English governess who is confronted with evil spirits possessing her two assistants. This is another entry in Shelley Duvall's Nightmare Classics. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi

This Spanish drama is based on Henry James' novel The Turn of the Screw and follows the exploits of a recently ordained Basque priest as he takes charge of two devilish children. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by Henry James, Merchant/Ivory's The Bostonians is set among the Back Bay uppercrust of the 19th century. Basil Ransom (Christopher Reeve), bored by his opulent lifestyle and his "proper" friends, is fascinated by his cousin, outspoken suffragette Olive Chancellor (Vanessa Redgrave). Basil and Olive's mutual friend is likeable, gregarious Verena Tannant (Madeleine Potter). Soon a triangle develops, albeit an unorthodox one: Basil and Olive both find themselves pursuing Verena, Basil because he is in love with her, and Olive because she wants to exploit Verena's social connections and gift for public speaking to promote her own political ideology. Lurking in the background is Verena's true love, poor-but-honest attorney Henry Burrage (John Van Ness). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Very loosely based on the plot of Henry James' Wing of the Dove, this film resets the story about two lovers trying to steal everything from a dying millionairess, by putting it in the late-20th century instead of late-19th century; it has the lovers be a French prostitute and Italian low-life instead of an Englishwoman and a journalist; and the dying woman is now French instead of American. Once adjusted to those changes, viewers may no longer have any expectations of a homage to Henry James in this French-Italian adaptation. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi