The Innocents (1961) Reviews

The Innocents (1961)
Member Rating:  
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 take 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

 Read More


Starring:
Deborah Kerr, Megs Jenkins, (more)
Director(s):
Jack Clayton
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Average Ratings

(19 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Betty C.

I am a fan of eerie and creepy over gore. When this movie was made the storyline, writing and acting were important over hacking up bodies, explicit sex and special effects. Loved this movie.

Yes   |   No


Mark C.

Henry James's The Turn of the Screw remains one of the best psychological thrillers ever written. This movie keeps the novella's ambiguity alive. Is Miss Giddens insane, or are the children possessed? Or maybe the children are just bad seeds? The Freudian implications, the grotesque imagery of corruption, and the duality of the children as victims and victimizers all make this a chilling tale. The only real downside to The Innocents is its wordiness. There is too much dialogue compressed into the film's running time and, consequently, characters speak too often with rushed breathlessness.

Yes   |   No


Robert S. A.

This is an all time favorite. Is the governess mad/imagining the ghost's are the children possessed.The creepy house and gothic look are just tops.Great acting from cast.

Yes   |   No


Jonathan S.

This is a well shot movie for it's time with creepy overtones. I've never been a fan of that over the top acting style of the 50's and early 60's, so for me it takes away from the movie a bit although that is no fault of the actor's, that was just the style then. Overall a good little horror for the fan of the horror genre.

Yes   |   No


Deanna N.

Weird movie. Bizarre kids. Left me with a creepy feeling.

Yes   |   No


Cesar G.

Creepy movie done right. No blood, gore or explicit material. A classic horror movie you rarely see made any more these days. Great movie!

Yes   |   No


Armando P.

IT IS FICTION WITH BORING SCRIPT. GOOD ACTING.

Yes   |   No


Rich B.

...this movie was probably scary in 1961, but today it is second rate.

Yes   |   No


Julianne S.

Cant believe that Capote could make such a mess of a Henry James! If you are looking for American's with bad british accents and you've already seen Gwyneth Paltrow--then maybe this is the movie for you! Totally expository, totally lame, I cant believe Deborah Kerr agreed to do this! And why hire unknown american child actors to fake british accents? What is clear is no one was from the same district-or dialect coach. Way too much foretelling...scary music at a job interview--COME ON!

Yes   |   No


Jay C.

It sucked.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
Buy New  $10.99
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (19)
     
    Betty C.

    I am a fan of eerie and creepy over gore. When this movie was made the storyline, writing and acting were important over hacking up bodies, explicit sex and special effects. Loved this movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Mark C.

    Henry James's The Turn of the Screw remains one of the best psychological thrillers ever written. This movie keeps the novella's ambiguity alive. Is Miss Giddens insane, or are the children possessed? Or maybe the children are just bad seeds? The Freudian implications, the grotesque imagery of corruption, and the duality of the children as victims and victimizers all make this a chilling tale. The only real downside to The Innocents is its wordiness. There is too much dialogue compressed into the film's running time and, consequently, characters speak too often with rushed breathlessness.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Robert S. A.

    This is an all time favorite. Is the governess mad/imagining the ghost's are the children possessed.The creepy house and gothic look are just tops.Great acting from cast.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 19 Reviews
       

      Quick Links

      Email Exclusives

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      FIND MOVIES

      ALL MOVIES

      Popular | # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

      ALL ACTORS AND DIRECTORS

      Popular | # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

      BLOCKBUSTER CORPORATE

       

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C. © 2012 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2012 Rovi Corporation.