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Deborah Kerr, Megs Jenkins, Pamela Franklin, Martin Stephens, Michael Redgrave ... see more see more... , Peter Wyngarde , Clytie Jessop , Isla Cameron , Eric Woodburn

In this lugubrious but brilliantly realized adaptation of Henry James' classic novella The Turn of the Screw, 19th century British governess Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr) arrives at a bleak mansion to t... read more read more...ake care of Flora (Pamela Franklin) and Miles (Martin Stephens), the wealthy household's two children. Outwardly the children are little darlings, but the governess begins to feel that there's something unwholesome behind those beatific smiles. After several disturbing examples of the children's evil impulses, Miss Giddens gets information from the housekeeper (Megs Jenkins) that suggests that the children may be possessed by malign spirits -- or are all these events just the products of Miss Giddens's own imagination? The best and most frightening vignette in The Innocents occurs when the governess casually kisses young Miles, then recoils in horror when she realizes that someone other than Miles has kissed her back. Unlike many CinemaScope productions, The Innocents plays better in the claustrophobic confines of the TV screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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85% liked it

6,425 ratings

Critics

96% liked it

28 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 40 min.

Directed by: Jack Clayton

Release Date: December 25, 1961

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DVD Release Date: September 6, 2005

Stats: 566 reviews

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The Innocents Peter Wyngarde and Martin Stephens in The Innocents (1961) The Innocents The Innocents
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Flixster Reviews (566)

  • fb1341085175
    October 25, 2011
    fb1341085175
    It tackles the material in quite a corageous way for a 1960s mainstream British film. The sumptuous deep focus photography and set decoration make one fear getting lost in the mysterious shadows of its widescreen framing, with a perfectly propper Deborah Kerr making it difficult ... read morefor us to second guess how this maybe-not-so-sane nanny will proceed with every creek of the old house. Mary Poppins she ain't.
  • matertenebraum
    February 10, 2011
    matertenebraum
    Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr), a nineteenth century British governess, is appointed to take care of two children, Flora (Pamela Franklin) and Miles (Martin Stephens). Upon arriving at the bleak mansion she meets the housekeeper (Megs Jenkins) and also Flora. Miles arrives a few day... read mores later from school. The children seem like little angels but, following a series of bizarre events and examples of the children's wicked impulses, Miss Giddens begins to suspect that all is not what it seems.

    This dark and atmospheric tale is a wonderful example of how to create an admirable horror movie that, although has violent undertones, features very little violence when all is said and done. 'The Innocents' is certainly a psychological horror movie which leaves in doubt how much of the inexplicable happenings are supernatural, and how much is in the mind of the protagonist, Miss Giddens. Director Jack Clayton uses some astonishing visual trickery and ghostly effects to create and maintain a very unsettling atmosphere, almost from the very beginning. A number of effective ghostly apparitions are displayed on screen during the movie from varying distances which gives 'The Innocents' a constant, foreboding atmosphere. The way some scene changes blend with the end of the previous scene are rather disconcerting and almost dream like as there are long lingering images, once again, wholly adding to the effect. Some of the dialogue may seem a little unrealistic, but in general the movie is well scripted and features a few very dramatic scenes thanks to some delightfully written dialogue and strong acting performances. William Archibald and Truman Capote both won awards for their script writing.

    The only real fault with 'The Innocents' is how fast the film moves along. Miss Giddens seems to realise the truth of what is happening all too quickly. This does not make 'The Innocents' less enjoyable, but it would have been nice to have had an extra ten minutes or so explaining the story to us a bit more. 'The Innocents' has a sustained tone of dread throughout the movie. It seems that Miss Giddens is unable to move without being confronted by some spectre or seeing some rather peculiar behaviour exhibited from the children. I'd compare the dark atmosphere with that of 'The Haunting' (1963), both movies are comparable in the way they are presented and are both aesthetically pleasing. The acting was of a high standard, though one must forgive the two young performers if they occasionally seemed to overact. Martin Stephens was very good as Miles, playing his sinister part with an awful power, even though the character's superciliousness became somewhat of an annoyance. Megs Jenkins was also delightful as the anxious housekeeper Mrs. Grose. From the moment Mrs. Grose is first introduced the viewer can begin to suspect something. Jenkins came across as a friendly, but scared, woman who is desperate to maintain decorum in the house. A fine performance suited her character marvellously. One must also mention Deborah Kerr's fine performance as Miss Giddens as she played it with the right balance of inquisitiveness and fear. Deborah's dramatic performance certainly helped make this movie fantastic and one sympathises with her deeply as the film ends on the sombre and heartbreaking note that it does.

    'The Innocents' is an elegant and stylish movie that is certainly worth watching. Fans of 'The Omen' and 'Village of the Damned' should enjoy this as well as any fan of dark, atmospheric horror. A strong screenplay, fine performances and breathtaking visual trickery make this movie a very pleasing addition to the horror genre and I highly recommend it to all. 'The Innocents' was able to scoop a BAFTA Award (British Academy of Film and Television Awards) for Best British Film as well as a BAFTA nomination for Jack Clayton which he thoroughly deserved.
  • guttersnipe28
    October 25, 2010
    guttersnipe28
    Remarkable, damn-near flawless early British horror. The Innocents deserves far more recognition than it currently recieves; so far it seems to be a rare treasure.

    One of the few horrors that can be truly called ground-breaking, The Innocents quickly sets to work slaying th... read moree sacred cow of childish good-will and decency, and is perhaps the first 'scary child' picture (how hollow that sounds now). Kerr is excellent, and a brilliant 'straight' counter to the secretive, fantastical and sinister nature of her two young charges, presenting a tale tinged with 19th century darkness and deception, but never once going too far into the supernatural. In fact, it's chilling because it feels so possible.

    Not only is the acting top, but the camerawork is incredible, offering both peaceful splendour and low-level tracking shots that emphasise the gothic trapping of that disquieting house. Beautiful.
  • hobster1
    November 9, 2009
    hobster1
    Atmospheric horror film about an inexperienced governess who comes to a large estate to take care of two children that share a dark secret. Supernatural ghost story uses sumptuous cinematography and eerie lighting for maximum effect. This is a classy production, something few h... read moreorror films can claim. Not scary, but rather a grim mood piece that maintains an air of apprehension throughout the course of the film. The plot actually develops into something rather sinister. That Deborah Kerr is brilliant is expected, but child actor Martin Stephens is a marvel as Miles.
  • flixsterman
    August 24, 2009
    flixsterman
    Gothic ghost story with a twist. Filmed in glorious black & white, Jack Clayton's shadowy horror saga is ripe with those odd little subtleties that promote goosebumps and cold chills. Watch it with all the lights off.
  • kiriyamakazou
    June 12, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Perfectly stunning, a true horror film. The Innocents is a classic, but one that has hovered below the radar. The film is brilliant in the way it gradually tricks you into scaring yourself, rather than forcing the fear upon you. Things appear suddenly in shots, but are not accomp... read moreanied by loud sound effects or orchestral nonsense. The performances are some of the best you will see in a horror film, especially the child actors. They capture the alluring childish innocence as well as the sadistic creepy moments. The Innocents is a story of the corruption of innocence and how trying to prevent it is futile, but corrupting it is evil.
  • newvogueravyn
    April 15, 2009
    newvogueravyn
    It's a rather beautiful film visually, with wonderful period detail. The screenplay takes across everything important from The Turn of The Screw and adds its own elements which manages to keep it fresh. The acting annoys me though, especially at the begining as it seems overly ch... read moreeerful and twee, but that disappears when it gets more into the story.
  • creepfreak
    October 19, 2008
    creepfreak
    The Innocents is a scary and atmospheric horror film. Perfect movie to watch around Halloween time! This is an excellent film. Beautiful cinematography, amazing strong performances, and a chilling story. Some creepy ass kids in this movie too. Watch this one alone at night, with ... read morethe lights off. Chilling stuff!


    "A real shocker, it chills the heart."
    - Kalamazoo Gazette

    "Creepy, atmospheric happenings with effective direction + Deborah Kerr."
    - Video-Reviewmaster.com

    "Sends some formidable chills down the spine."
    - New York Times

    "An impressively creepy adaptation of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw."
    - Guardian [UK]

    "Stylish, intelligent and creepy. Cinematic storytelling at its finest, where word and image are perfectly married."
    - Channel 4 Film

    "...creates an appropriately spooky tone that builds slowly, incrementally, until it reaches a shattering conclusion."
    - DVDTown

    "A chilling movie! This film gives me the creeps every time I see it." - The Terror Trap

    "It sneaks under your skin, subtly and suggestively portraying something sinister and perverse that may exist only in the protagonist's head, but that doesn't mean it can't mess with yours." - DVDJournal

    "The Innocents a downright creepy film, the kind that haunts you long after the lights have been turned back on."
    - Classic-Horror.com

    "Is it the finest, smartest, most visually savvy horror film ever made by a big studio?"
    - Village Voice
  • Stinger839
    September 3, 2008
    Stinger839
    Very atmospheric, fantastic sound editing. Not a fan of the story, it's too outdated and dull to work for me. Don't like it as much as I thought I would, and I can handle slow and non-scare based ghost stories. The subtext is pretty plain, and infers some weird events. Deborah Ke... read morerr is great at giving a scared look, and she plays the naive nanny very well. I wanted more visually out of this movie; that's my main complaint.
  • SarahG1988
    April 9, 2008
    SarahG1988
    Director:Jack Clayton
    Released: 1961
    Stars: Deborah Kerr,Michael Redgrave, Megs Jenkins
    Genre:Horror, Thriller
    Country: UK

    ... read morerc="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/sarah88_uk/TheInnocents.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket">

    A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted.

    One of our greatest Horror films ever made and I have to agree. Beautiful cinematography backed up by some fine acting.

    More to follow...

View All The Innocents Reviews

Critic Reviews

October 19, 2010
TIME Magazine

If the picture is journeyman James, it is also pitapatational entertainment, the most sophisticated scare show since Diabolique. Full Review

Variety Staff
September 10, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Based on Henry James' story Turn of the Screw this catches an eerie, spine-chilling mood right at the start and never lets up on its grim, evil theme. Full Review

Dave Kehr
September 24, 2007
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Too much Freud and too little thought. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
September 24, 2007
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

Is it the finest, smartest, most visually savvy horror film ever made by a big studio? Full Review

Bosley Crowther
May 9, 2005
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Sends some formidable chills down the spine. Full Review

Wesley Lovell
June 9, 2011
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy

A brilliant, atmospheric supernatural thriller with a superb central performance by Deborah Kerr. Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
February 16, 2011
Steve Biodrowski, Cinefantastique

...sends shivers down the backbone, playing the vertebrae like a skeletal hand tapping on a xylophone. Full Review

October 19, 2010
Total Film

Jack Clayton's genuinely sinister Victorian ghost movie is a British cinema classic. Full Review

Andrew L. Urban
December 20, 2008
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile

This classy English mystery is adorned by a wonderful Deborah Kerr as the governess driven to extremes by a strange, haunted mansion and strange, haunted children, Full Review

Steve Biodrowski
July 4, 2008
Steve Biodrowski, ESplatter

This unresolved mystery charges the events ... with a dreadful sense of uncertainty far more thrilling than the simple supernatural chills of a typical haunted house movie -- another "turn of the scre... Full Review

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The Innocents Trivia

  • Wich were the three actors in the movie "The Dreamers" also known as "Innocents" made in 2003 by the director BERNARDO BERTOLUCCI ?  Answer »
  • In 1961, Deborah Kerr played Miss Giddens in a superb adaptation of Henry James's novel 'The Turn Of The Screw'. What was the title given to the movie?  Answer »
  • Anthony Quinn stars as Inuk, an Eskimo hunter who is snarled in a cross-cultural conflict when he's forced to slay a priest to reclaim his honor.  Answer »
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