Movie.
A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Directed by Jee-Won Kim.
Plot: Two sisters who, after spending time in a mental institution, return to the home of their father and cruel stepmother. Once there, in addition to dealing with their stepmother's obsessive and unbalanced ways, an interfering ghost also affects their recovery.
Review: Another old J-horror film that mostly nobody watched. A Tale of Two Sisters was latter given the Hollywood touch-up and released as The Uninvited but it failed to grab the attention of movie-goers. Why, you ask? Well, The Uninvited was a fair attempt and better done than most adaptations but A Tale of Two Sisters is based on a widely known Taiwanese folktale that has been adapted to cinema several times. Imagine a Bloody Mary movie for a Russian population who has never even heard about Bloody Mary. Half the fun is gone!
A tale of Two Sisters is the latest and more accomplished version of the tale. It is beautifully film. We see the events unfold through the eyes of the oldest daughter, who just got home from an extended stay on the hospital. This is the classic trick of an unreliable narrator used with extreme skill. The movie is confusing but it only adds to the thrill. It has been described as a psychological thriller, a ghost story, and a horror. Watch it and choose what works for you.
Book.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James.
Published byWilliam Heinemann in 1898.
Blurb: One of literature's most gripping ghost stories depicts the sinister transformation of two innocent children into flagrant liars and hypocrites. Elegantly told, it is a tale of unspoken horror and psychological terror that creates what few stories in literature have been able to do, a complete feeling of dread and uncertainty.Review: If you like gothic literature, you have to read James' best known novel. It is a testament to his skill and a necessary book for every lover of classic literature. The open ending and paranoid feeling of the whole story is what has made it endure. There is not enough that can be said to make it honor. Just read it.
12 comments:
A Tale of Two Sisters sounds fun, I'm going to have to check that out :)
While I've never read A Turn of the Screw I did listen to an audio version of it. I wasn't overly impressed, but I think I need to read the actual book before I can truly make up my mind. Some stories just don't make the transition to audio very well.
~ Rhonda Parrish
Hi Rhonda, I think you're right. I can't imagine James' book translating good to audio. Hope you enjoy it better this time! Thanks for commenting.
Great post. I really need to read The Turn of the Screw.
I LOVED The Uninvited. This looks like a good movie. I'm going to check it out. Thanks! :)
That trailer was creepy enough. I'm not sure I could handle the movie!
Thanks for visiting my blog earlier today. The movie about the two sisters sounds captivating and creepy at the same time.
I was told by someone once that one of my stories reminded them of Henry James.
That movie sounds great.
Have you ever seen The Innocents? It's the 1961 adaptation of Turn of the Screw. Really good. Really really good.
A-Z @ Elizabeth Twist
You have found obscure movies to feature in your challenge. Very interesting. And indeed - the Turn of the Screw is truly creepy.
Thanks for visiting wordsplash. Enjoy our last week
Amy, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It is a great book.
Jennifer, I'm glad you liked it! I truly hope you enjoy the movie.
Peggy, I saw the movie a while back and when I watched the trailer, it kinda scared me. I remembered how good the movies really was. =)
Cynthia, it really is a great story with a heart at the core.
M Pax, that's quite a complement! Hope you take good care of your friend.
Elizabeth, I haven't seen The Innocents but I've heard great things about it. I think I'll watch it now next month when I'll have a bit more of time. ;)
Joanne, I didn't want to recommend all the movies we've seen in every other list, so I did a lot of research, watched a lot of movies, and voila!
Thanks to all for your great comments. You make all the work worth while.
I am intrigued by both the movie and the book you recommended. A Tale of Two Sisters is definitely my kind of horror.
J.C. Martin
A to Z Blogger
J.C., I'm sure you won't be disappointed by this film. Thanks for commenting!
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