The Europeans

088839 / G / GB / 1979 / Ivory, James / / drama
Europeans, The / Eurooppalaiset. © National Film Trustee Co. Ltd. P: Ismail Merchant. D: James Ivory. SC: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala - based on the novel (1878) by Henry James. CAST: Lee Remick (Baroness Eugenia Münster), Robin Ellis (Robert Acton), Tim Woodward (Felix Young), Wesley Addy (Mr. Wentworth), Lisa Eichhorn (Gertrude Wentworth), Nancy New (Charlotte Wentworth), Norman Snow (Mr. Brand). 91’. 1,85. Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Anna-Lisa Holmqvist. A somewhat worn Valio-filmi / SEA print viewed in Helsinki, SEA, Cinema Orion, on Good Friday 10 April 1998. *** Let’s list the successful films based on Henry James: The Lost Moment (1947, based on Aspern Papers), The Heiress (1949, based on Washington Square), The Innocents (1961, based on The Turn of the Screw), The Bostonians (1984), The Wings of the Dove (1997) - and this one. The production is simple and elegant. It’s filmed on location in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The autumn colours are delightful. The actors of the ensemble carry their roles soberly. The dialogue is sharp, the characters grow, and there is a great sense of humour in the vision which is brought to the screen.