Jessy – Die Treppe in den Tod (1974)

Jessy – Die Treppe in den Tod: Directed by Bob Clark. With Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon. During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked by a stranger.

“Isnu0026#39;t it extraordinary how our opinions can change over time ,well mine anyway.nAfter so many positive comments by people who list this film as one of their all time favourites I thought I should watch The Piano written and directed by New Zealander Jane Campion.nIt must be over 30 years ago that I first saw The Piano and It was like seeing it for the first time today .I donu0026#39;t know why I disliked it back then ,there were a lot of changes going on in my life but today I can only praise this film and Iu0026#39;m so glad I was curious enough to revisit it.nThere has been so much critical praise heaped on u0026quot;The Piano u0026quot;I wonu0026#39;t add much except to praise the genius of Jane Campion ,the entire cast and technical personnel ,especially the camera people and film editors not only is it the greatest film to be produced in New Zealand but it holds its own with any film anywhere on earth.nThe year it was made 1994 The Piano was up against very stiff Hollywood competition with Stephen Spielberg u0026#39;S brilliant film u0026quot;Schindleru0026#39;s Listu0026quot; if not for that I suspect Iu0026#39;m not the only one to think u0026quot;The Piano u0026quot; also would have one Best Picture and Best Director it thoroughly deserved itu0026#39;s 7 nominations and 3 wins.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s a beautiful film to watch of course the breathtakingly beautiful misty forests and sea scapes of New Zealand .nThe emotional impact of Holly Hunteru0026#39;s Academy Award winning performance as Ada ( who doesnu0026#39;t have a line of dialogue except subconscious narrative ) and of course Anna Paquin as her precocious adult child daughter Flora are superb .nAnna was only one year older than Tatum Ou0026#39;Neil the youngest Oscar winner and has had a much more impressive film career than Tatum since her win.nThe actors Sam Neil as Alisdair ,Adau0026#39;s patient but ineffectual husband and Harvey Keitel as George Barnes the lonely overseer with a vivid fantasy emotional life are also very impressive in these roles .nI did wonder if the few sexual scenes could be filmed as convincingly in todayu0026#39;s ME Too World ? the actors would have to follow much stricter guidelines I suspect.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eFinally I guess Iu0026#39;m writing this to encourage anyone who feels very strongly about or dislike a much praised movie to keep an open mind and give it another chance as I did the reward was worth it.nPs the music of course by Michael Nyman adds to the enjoyment but itu0026#39;s Director and writer Jane Campion who has produced a film where even the title u0026quot;The Piano.u0026quot; An inanimate object becomes almost a living character that determines all the main characters fate and destiny.”