Rappaccini's Daughter

Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic short story plays like an 18th-century episode of The Twilight Zone in this 1980 production from PBS's American Short Story Collection, a powerful tale of forbidden love and twisted devotion that exudes an enigmatic romanticism. Kristoffer Tabori plays a university student in Italy, entranced by the sheltered daughter (Kathleen Beller) of his neighbor (one of the earliest literary examples of the "mad scientist"), who also becomes ensnared in the crazy old loon's twisted experiments. Although the video and audio qualities on this DVD leave something to be desired, the story is still strong enough to shine through. DVD extras include author and cast biographies, a printable study guide, and the original PBS introduction by Henry Fonda. Recommended. [Note: also newly available in the series is The Blue Hotel, based on Stephen Crane's short story, starring David Warner.] (M. Johanson)