"THE MAIDS" was one of several films based on plays which were launched in America, and later in the UK under the banner of The American Film Theatre by the Eli Landau Organisation Inc & Cinevision Ltée. In the US it was cleverly publicised as a special event with advanced hard-ticket sales and treated like a theatrical event with each film having an interval, not always as perfectly placed as the film makers would have wished! But they were a success. In the UK the publicity and distribution lacked this flair, and the films suffered accordingly.
"a spell-binding cinematic experience from director Christopher Miles"
(Daily Mail)
"A distinguished addition to the American Film Theatre's stage adaptations with Christopher Miles' version of Jean Genet's bleak and controversial play"
(The Guardian)
"Christopher Miles has been able to use the medium of the cinema magnificently to capture a major work of art interpreted by three incomparable artistes"
(France Soir - Paris)
"… under Christopher Miles' direction we get a marvellous close-up of these superb actresses at work"
(Evening News)
"What Christopher Miles has attempted with outstanding success is the transfer from one medium to the other…. Miles and Douglas Slocombe refresh the eye, making new compositions in the confined space…. subtly converting the core of the play into essential cinema"
(Films and Filming)
"A vivid recording of smashing theatre. 'The Maids' is spell-binding'
(New York Times)
"Three absolute stunning performances"
(Los Angeles Times)
"'The Maids' is a powerful enactment of Genet"
(San Francisco Chronicle)
