A Henry James Filmography (2021)

Abstract

A Henry James Filmography (2021) Sarah Koch This is the third iteration of "A Henry James Filmography," an international catalog of screen adaptations of James's works for television, cinema, and straight-to-video. The first version, containing 101 adaptations representing 44 of James's works, was published in the Henry James Review in 1998. An updated version appeared in Henry James Goes to the Movies with 124 adaptations of 45 titles from James's oeuvre. The research since the second publication revealed that the appeal of James's works for film and television is far from waning. And though the conversation about the difficulty of transferring James to the screen continues, it is abundantly clear that those difficulties—whether recognized or ignored by those in the entertainment industry—haven't stopped people from trying it, even if that means working ground that has already been heavily worked as in the case of "The Turn of the Screw" (TS) The third version of the catalog includes 210 titles based on at least 51 of James's short stories, novellas, or novels.1 The range of countries heard from also expanded to include Argentina, Austria, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Slovakia, and Turkey. Of the 86 additional titles, 32 were produced, or at least begun (if not yet completed), since 2002. The range of genres has also changed. In addition to cinematic releases, TV drama anthology episodes, TV movies, mini-series, and televised operas (based on "The Turn of the Screw" and "Owen Wingrave"), there is now also one TV serial (The Wings of the Dove, Kiniro no tsubasa / Golden Wings, Japan, 2007) and the occasional straight-to-video production. YouTube.com (https://www.YouTube.com) is particularly useful to those looking for online viewing fare, offering a number of James-based full-length films and TV episodes, and is a repository for unique projects, like a taped performance of the Jeffrey Hatcher play based on TS and a film short of "The Liar." To be clear, there are standards that must be met for a production to qualify for this catalog. It isn't necessary, though, that a specific work or combination of James's works be given screen credit for a production to be included if credible indications can be found elsewhere. For example, The Others, the 2001 film starring Nicole Kidman, does not refer to Henry James in the opening or closing credits. And it is not [End Page 60] sufficient that reading a plot analysis of the film, let alone viewing the production, might lead anyone familiar with "The Turn of the Screw" to see a connection.2 After all, there have been so many screen adaptations of this novella and with so many variations (changes in setting, time period, and any number of added twists or changes of perspective) that one could be pardoned for, ironically perhaps, seeing something that isn't there. Fortunately, while looking for solid evidence, I discovered a glorious read titled The Reception of Henry James in Europe (Duperray). This volume of 20 essays by experts such as Philip Horne, Andreea Ionescu, and Donatella Izzo also included an essay by Dennis Tredy, "'Catholicizing' the Governess: Henry James in Spanish Film." Tredy, in discussing the 2001 film, declares that, "Although Henry James is not given a by-line in the opening or closing credits, it is undeniable that [the director] relied very heavily on characters, devices and dynamics that belong to TS and its century-long legacy of interpretations" (222). That, supported by the statements of others, including Nicole Kidman and the director/adapter Alejandro Amenábar, qualified The Others for this filmography. "The Turn of the Screw" continues to be the most frequently adapted, with 47 versions in all, 18 within the last 17 years.3 Not even a pandemic, it seems, will halt adaptations of James and may even make his works that much more attractive. To use the 2001 The Others yet again as an example, this film not only led to the 2004 Indian adaptation Hum Kaun Hai? but has inspired two new projects currently in development as of late summer 2020. One of them...