KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

begob The young lover of a student artist in 17th century Holland is spirited away in marriage by her guardian to a grim, wealthy suitor. Years pass, and the student becomes successful, but then he finds her again ...A strange, cold story, with a fabulously eerie climax. Shot with all eyes on recreating the image of Dutch interiors, still lifes and portraits from the era, and very spare with the dialogue. I did feel the lovers' relationship should have been given more substance, but the performances are excellent, and the psychology of the protagonist is deep and not easy to understand. The outstanding theme is the treatment of women as objects, but the message is complex and rounded out with inevitable terror as life's betrayals and compromises accumulate.Pace is a little slow and solemn. Music is harpsichord, sometimes contrasting in mood with what's on screen.Overall, very interesting and the scene in the vault is a good 'un.

kehkehbia If Im correct this was a made for TV, a one off, and If it is the same one, I was fortunate to see it on CHANNEL 4, here in the U.K. about 15 years ago.It was one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen on TV, 'scary " these days in films means Gore Fest, and sickness....it is so boring and predictable to watch a "scary movie" nowadays.Schalken the Painter was very spooky, a psychological horror that crept and made you jump, it made me very uncomfortable i didn't want to leave the room alone.I am so annoyed that quality stuff like this is not released on to DVD for us to buy! so if anyone knows of a release please let us know all know. thankyou.

jeromeodriscoll In common with previous reviewers, I wish to add my plea to the BBC to re-show 'Schalken the Painter' on BBC4. It remains one of the Beeb's best productions. I would love to be able to purchase the video on DVD. The script followed closely J S LeFanu's frightening story. The lightning and camera-work were masterly, and direction tight. The video belonged to the BBC's 'Omnibus' series. Other productions from the series have been made available, so why not this? I have been waiting years to see the video show up of TV. I think it was repeated sometime in the early 1990s but I could be wrong. Surely it cannot have been lost (or worse, erased!). Hopefully not. Are you listening, BBC?

purralice I saw this film in 1979 and I never forgot it. The way the scenes are set up after old master paintings. In one scene Rembrandt appears briefly at the door inwonderful chiaroscuro. The whole film seemed like one moving masterpainting. The horror is the better for being implied as in The turn of the Screw. It is a pity that filmmakers like this are so little known.I would pay over the odds to get this on DVD. Filmmaking this excellent doesn't happen often enough. I totally agree withother comments.