this could have be a wonderful film with it gothic atmosphere and well researched period detail ( clothes and interior ) . but it hammy and cartoony and over simplify . jean simmons be simper and wet oh and sorry and of course i mean cute and vulnerable and uncle silas and his son crude and her admirer wooden . why must christmas scene of the 19th century always involve those tedious mummer . jean simmons skirt be far too light and filmy and and young lady in them day do not run about at top speed show lot of leg clad in pantalettes . they wear nothing under those petticoat and have to move more circumspectly . read the book .