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The Innocents |  | Director: Jack Clayton
Actors: Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave, Martin Stephens
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
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Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  145 reviews
Sales Rank: 6381
Format: Widescreen, Anamorphic, NTSC
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: FOXD2230296D
UPC: 024543202950
EAN: 0024543202950
ASIN: B0009X75EC
Theatrical Release Date: 1961
Release Date: September 6, 2005
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
The definitive screen adaptation of Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, the 1961 production of The Innocents remains one of the most effective ghost stories ever filmed. Originally promoted as the first truly "adult" chiller of the big screen (a marginally valid claim considering the release of Psycho a year earlier), the film arrived at a time when the thematic depth of James's story could finally be addressed without the compromise of reductive discretion. And while the Freudian anxiety that fuels the story may seem tame by today's standards, the psychological horrors that comprise the story's "dark secret" are given full expression in a film that brilliantly clouds the boundary between tragic reality and frightful imagination. In one of her finest performances, Deborah Kerr stars as Miss Giddons, a devout and somewhat repressed spinster who happily accepts the position of governess for two orphaned children whose uncle (Michael Redgrave) readily admits to having no interest in being tied down by two "brats." So Miss Giddons is dispatched to Bly House, the lavish, shadowy estate where young Flora (Pamela Franklin) and her brother Miles (Martin Stephens, so memorable in 1960's Village of the Damned) live with a good-natured housekeeper (Megs Jenkins). At first, life at Bly House seems splendidly idyllic, but as Miss Giddons learns the horrible truth about the estate's now-deceased groundskeeper and previous governess, she begins to suspect that her young charges are ensnared in a devious plot from beyond the grave. Ghostly images are revealed in only the most fleeting glimpses, and the outstanding Cinemascope photography by Freddie Francis (who used special filters to subtly darken the edges of the screen) turns Bly House into a welcoming mansion by day, a maze of mystery and terror by night. Sound effects and music are used to bone-chilling effect, and director Jack Clayton, blessed with a script by William Archibald and Truman Capote, maintains a deliberate pace to emphasize the ambiguity of James's timeless novella. The result is a masterful film--comparable to the 1963 classic The Haunting--that uses subtlety and suggestion to reach the pinnacle of fear. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Movie DVD
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 25
 Fantastic ghostly tale August 14, 2010
fra7299 (California, United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In The Innocents, Miss Giddens takes on a job as governess of a majestic house in England. She has received the job after interviewing with the children's uncle, who didn't want to be involved with the burden of responsibility in caring for the children. Once at the home, there are indications that something is amiss, as the children act strangely and the governess begins to feel--and see- various apparitions. Are these only in her head, or is there something about this house, or its past, that is conjuring up spirits? Miss Giddens comes to a firm belief that the spirits of the former governess and the valet, Quint, are taking over the children. As she learns more and more about the former employees, she is convinced that there is an evil entity lurking that must be exorcised. However, there may be more variables to the story of the house, and its former inhabitants, that give clues to what is happening.
The Innocents is part supernatural mystery, part psychological suspense. It is a well-crafted, spooky tale which uses creepiness and atmosphere to keep its watchers unsettled. It might not resonate as well with those who need gore for a good fright, but the movie is a fantastic ghost story. The Innocents works on a subtle level, and it has an ambiguous feel to it because the story is told through the new governess' eyes. Therefore, you see what she sees. Undoubtedly, this is a film which can be interpreted on more than one level, and it raises several questions during and after its viewing. How sane was Miss Giddens, before and during her stay there? Is the stately house being haunted from its former employees? How much do the children affect Miss Giddens emotional state? Are they are innocent as they seem?
This is a visually stunning film, and really is a superb interpretation of Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. It also employs fantastic camera shots when Miss Giddens' anxiety is at its height. Oftentimes what Miss Giddens is seeing is off in the distance, barely perceptible. Sometimes she sees what others cannot. One of the best scenes is when Miss Giddens first explores the house during the hide and seek game with the children, and sees what she seems to belief to be someone outside the glass. Scenes like this really make for creepy atmosphere. Also, The Innocents uses the repeated playing of a melancholy song to add to eerie feeling, heard at the beginning to set the ominous tone.
If there is one drawback to the DVD itself, it is the lack of extras. It would have been great to see some more background about the story, or James' novel to which it is attached.
Still, this is a definite collector's item for those who like a good ghost tale. If you are a fan of the films like The Haunting, then you will be sure to like The Innocents.
 Genuine creepiness in glorious black & white. July 6, 2010
Puzzle box (Kuwait)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Director Jack Clayton's brilliant ghost entry The Innocents boasts superb acting from all involved, a literate script from writers William Archibald and Truman Capote and classy production values. The Innocents makes the most of the story's ambiguous plot. What happens to Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr) can be interpreted in many different ways, which makes this film an extremely effective psychological ghost story. A brilliant and chilling movie! This film gives me the creeps every time I see it. It has some amazing camera work courtesy of Freddie Francis, and an excellent complicated performance from Deborah Kerr which adds up to one of the best thrillers of the 60's. In fact, I like it better than The Haunting (not that The Haunting was a bad film, it's one of my favorites). The actors who play the kids are also very good, they're precocious and cold... and somewhat unsympathetic. Martin Stephens in particular stands out as the wise, clever little boy who may or may not be possessed. His acting here is on par with his great performance in the original Village of the Damned and he is truly believable. The images of Quint outside of the window and Mrs. Jessel across the lake are really hard to forget and adds to the creepy atmosphere along with the sound effects, which were similar to the ones in The Haunting. The images are hauntingly photographed in this film. As in The Uninvited and Dead of Night, the English countryside mansion here is a perfect setting for such a masterful retelling of James' The Turn of the Screw. You want to be respectfully spooked, in the best tradition? Then watch this brilliant British classic late at night with all the lights off...
 Pretty and Weird; A Little Patronizing June 20, 2010
KF (Lexington Park, MD)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love the beauty of this movie; it's very pretty. The movie is a bit trite in motivation. Given that I'm from a more modern perspective, I find it really hard to swallow that the lady (who exhibits no irrationality or depression for most of the movie) just becomes "convinced" that the kids are possessed. Having said that, the creators do a good job of making the start of the film feel very "off": everything is overly perfect and sugary-great, but there's a definite undercurrent of something-not-quite-right. I loved the little girl's ultra-creepy lullaby, and she has a pretty voice. They use the song throughout the movie too much, though. I must admit that I'm a little spoiled-I was hoping for a movie as creepy as the old b&w "Haunting" or the extreme weirdness of Alfred Hitchcock's "Rebecca". The nature of the ghosts and their heavily-suggested relationship with the kids was something I quite honestly didn't like. The insinuation the script made was that the kids' abnormalities mirrored the obviously heavily sexual nature of the ghosts... which wasn't weird or scary to me, just repulsive.
Well-done psychological thriller April 16, 2010
James Ashley (Anacortes, WA, USA)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
THE INNOCENTS, from 1961, and starring Deborah Kerr, is a well-directed, well-photographed and very well-acted psychological thriller based on Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw". It didn't really frighten me, but it's worth seeing for its production values.
 Dull doesnt begin to describe this GARBAGE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! February 23, 2010
the mook (brooklyn, ny United States)
0 out of 18 found this review helpful
what is it with ''horror/scary'' movies that feel they must YAP for 80% or more of the runtime ?!?!?!?!? what is it with horror ''lovers'' who get scared over crap like this ?!?!?!?!?!?!?
we get it, some bad things happened at that estate. CAN WE NOW PLEASE QUIT WITH THE GD MFing LIP SERVICE ?!?!?!?!?!?!? exactly what part of this was supposed to be frightening ?!?!?!?!? those ''creepy'' ghostly images from afar ?!?!?!?!? the uncles total disregard for his relatives (he probably wanted no part of this yapfest either !) ?!?!?!?!? WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SCARY ABOUT THIS ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? as for the ''spoiler'', it IS the LAMEST of all ''shocking'' endings. the only thing shocking about this GARBAGE was the spinster kissing the kid on the mouth ! paranormal inactivity is an all out actioneer in comparison.
if i had the energy, id start a ghost buster company and make a ''killing'' off of you weaklings who gave this more than the *1 star MINIMUM this deserves ! 4 stars ?!?!?!?!?!? 4 WHAT ?!?!?!?!?!?!?
this movie is begging for zero/negative stars.
4 stars..................................................truly pathetic !
Showing reviews 1-5 of 25
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