Customer Reviews

The Innocents [VHS]

5 star:		(118)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

There have been several adaptations of The Turn Of The Screw, but none as effective as this 1961 gem. Working on the axiom that less-is-more, Clayton shows remarkable and deliberate restraint, and it pays off.

Kerr plays governess to two children one of which may or may not be the victim of possession. Anything more would be giving it away.

Certainly in the top ten list of Horror/Ghost story films of all time, The Innocents compares favorably with "The Haunting" (the original '63 version). Kerr's spectral visions are as solid as the furniture -- they're just harder to find, and lot scarier; the film is an example of how little one needs to resort to SPFX when one knows how to make drama.

On the down side the original was photographed in lush monochrome cinemascope, and the only version released to date (that I'm aware of) is pan-an-scan, so you're missing about 40% of the image.

Still, even in this limited form, "The Innocents" is as scary as anything that's come out of Hollywood inthe last twenty years (er, I mean deliberately scarey -- the remake of The Haunting was scarey for all the wrong reasons).

Please let there be a DVD soon!

I saw this when it first came out, and the performances by the children, Miles and Flora, show acting skills far beyond their years. Calling Ms. Kerr, the governess, "Miss Giddons dear" and faintly mocking tones, they dominate the movie; their haunting and possession by the dead servants, Quint and Miss Jessel, are something to see. One of the scenes that scared me the most was the one where Flora is dancing, in the little stone gazebo, to the haunting music box theme, by the lake, and the dead Miss Jessel appearing, watching her from the middle of the lake, seemingly suspended on some water plants, looking sad in her black mourning dress. Flora seems to be dancing for her, and the effect is chilling. The entire movie has a neverending undercurrent of terror, albeit quiet terror, and you never know, literally, what is around the next corner of the vast house. Quint appears to Miss Giddons, outside a window, during a game of hide and go seek, and Miss Jessel glides eerily by a hallway, in her requisite black mourning dress. The housekeeper, Mrs. Gross, stands by the children and refuses to believe they are anything less than "innocent", while Miss Giddons adopts a more pragmatic (and accurate) view of how damaged and under the influence of these two entities the two children really are. Miss Giddons has a dramatic showdown with Flora, by forcing her to acknowledge the existence of Miss Jessel in the scene by the lake, and afterwards the traumatized Flora is taken away by the housekeeper and Miss Giddons is left alone in the house with Miles. The final scene was, and is, still shocking even by today's standards, as Miss Giddons kisses the dead child, Miles, on the mouth, with disturbing passion, but the scene fits perfectly into the story and underscores the complicated and turbulent relationship Miss Giddons has with the children, expecially young Miles. Filmed on one of those incredibly sumptuous estates that are so plentiful in England, the cinematography is superb, and this really should be viewed on DVD, with the sharpness and clarity of the original.

There have been some great horror films in the 20th century. Hitchcock was responsible for probably a half dozen himself. The more recent "The Others" comes to mind, and "The Sixth Sense". But nothing compares to Henry James' tale of horror in Turn of the Screw, aptly named THE INNOCENTS for film. Deborah Kerr is perfectly cast as the governess of two children who seem to be possessed by two tragic ghostly figures that only the governess can see. Creepy, haunting, a movie you probably don't want to watch alone, though I have. Great cast. Director Jack Clayton has the perfect touch. Though I am giving the film itself 5 stars, I wouldn't give the VHS version a high mark at all. The audience is forced to watch this magnificent film in the dreadful 'full screen' mode. All we see are mouths and noses at times. If the studio doesn't want to release the film on DVD, at least bring out a special 'wide screen' VHS version so we can see the movie as it should be seen. Or, better yet, release THE INNOCENTS on DVD. It deserves as much attention as most classics.

The Innocents is far and way one of the most effective ghost stories ever commited to celluloid. Deborah Kerr stars as Miss Giddens, a timid governess who believes that the house she is in charge of is being haunted, and that the two children in her care are being corrupted by the evil ghosts. Based on the short novel "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James, the film manages to successfully tackle the pivotal mystery of the story, which is that the viewer cannot be sure whether the ghosts are real, or just a figment of the governess's imagination. The scenes in which Kerr sees the apparitions are extremely well done. On one occasion, a sombre figure in a black dress is seen standing on the far bank of a lake, in another, the evil face of a man appears through the gloom outside of a window. The ghosts appear for just long enough and just indistinctly enough to scare the pants off poor Miss Giddens, not to mention the viewer! Shot in stunning black and white cinemascope, and beautifully showing every period detail, the film has some amazing scenes utilizing very deep focus, which is used to great dramatic effect. Deborah Kerr gives an excellent performance, depicting the governess's slide into hysteria, as do the two children; you can never quite tell if they are behaving perfectly innocently, or are in league with the spirits, which is just what is intended. I really recommend this film, along with the 1963 film "The Haunting" as the most frightening portrayal of ghosts in the cinema.

Is "The Innocents" a ghost story or a psychological drama? It depends on the viewer. A logically minded person will conclude that the governess is psychotic and the morbid history of the house and the children created the hauntings within her mind. However, imaginative viewers will conclude the obvious: the children are literally possessed by the deceased governess and her sadistic lover. There are contradictory clues within the movie that point to both solutions. For instance, if the children were not possessed how did Flora know that Miles was coming home? However, if the children were possessed why was the governess the only one to see or hear any evidence of the apparitions? Much of the reason "The Innocents" is such an effective suspense film is because of its ambiguity. This is much more effective than newer horror films such as "The Haunting" (1999) in which the ghosts literally tear down the house. "The Haunting" wasn't frightening at all. Successful movies about the supernatural know what to show and what to leave to your imagination. "The Innocents" is a convincing ghost story, because all reports or sightings of ghosts end with one of two possible explanations. Either there was a ghost or there wasn't, and it's up to each one of us to decide.

Can this really finally becoming out on DVD ? A haunting weird film which remains in your mind for ever. I bet the one image most people remember is the fleeting glimpse of the ghost of Miss Jessel amongst the reeds by the lake. The film was shot apparently in the manor house and park of Sheffield Park Gardens in Sussex, United Kingdom, site ( together with Horsted Keynes ) of the famed Bluebell Railway ! Closer scrutiny of the film reveals this indeed to be true but never had this oft photographed site been filmed in such a haunting way ! A must for any serious collector of cinematic milestones on dvd !

Jack Clayton's masterful film "The Innocents" is a superb and chilling adaptation of Henry James' "Turn of the Screw." What makes this version so much better than any others is the film's ability to maintain a true sense of ambiguity as to whether the ghosts are real or figments of the governess' vivid (if not borderline hysterical) imagination.

Deborah Kerr gives what is, I think, her best screen performance ever in very difficult role. Also remarkable are the two child actors who play Miles and Flora: Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin. Stephens - who had appeared as the leader of the alien children in "Village of the Damned" a year earlier - is particularly impressive, his line readings worthy of an actor much older and more experienced. It's pity that Mr. Stephens gave up acting not long afterwards and later became a lawyer. Director Clayton proves his mastery of directing children both here and in his later film "Our Mother's House" (which also starred Miss Franklin).

It helps that the actors are served by co-scripwriters Truman Capote and William Archibald, who base the script on James' original story and Archibald's stage adaptation.

Also worthy of note is the cinematography of Freddie Francis, who creates some of the most haunting (and widely imitated) images of ghosts I've ever seen on film. His overall work, on films like "Sons and Lovers," "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning," and more recently in "The Elephant Man" has been criminally overlooked.

By all means, buy this one for your collection.

"Do you have an imagination?"

"Yes. You must have an imagination if you work with children."

Thus begins Uncle's interview with Miss Giddens who later serves as Miles' and Flora's new Governess. And it's her beloved imagination which turns against her. Drives a wedge between herself and everyone else at Uncle's estate.

There are so many reviews posted on this site concerning The Innocents, it seems a bit pointless to rehash the plot. You already know it's a spook story set in a large English countryside mansion. That's all you need to know.

But, I must say - there's a duplicity of logic in this movie, as in all great supernatural stories. There's "reality" and then there's Miss Giddens' "imagination." Believe whichever you like. They're in perfect synchronicity with each other.

But, dare not believe both at the same time. If you try, this movie will unnerve you, and make you slightly mad. Slightly schizophrenic. There are parallel worlds here - Giddens is unable to discern between the two. Like going cross-eyed in the mind. Are the dead among us? Is it all a trick set up by devious children? Or is it nothing at all?

One could qualify The Innocents as the best ghost story ever filmed. Frankly, I don't like superlatives - and I haven't seen every movie ever made to be able to argue that point. But this IS a beautiful film, and psychologically skewering, the like of which I've never seen. "Turn Of The Screw" is an apt title. Each inexplicable incident tightens that vice of fear - click - click - one quarter turn.

Truman Capote co-authored the script - if that means anything to you "In Cold Blood"/"Breakfast At Tiffany's" fans.

Re the VHS version: There's an eerie effect in the film print - and I doubt it was intentional and probably just due to age - but occasionally some of the shadows get washed out in a wavering light. It's very slight - and I'm sure with new digital restoration technology they could fix that, but it adds an extra aura to this film.

This movie is over 40 years old, and film images themselves are ghosts, when you think on it, windows into the past - or are they just shadows and light playing tricks on the mind.

I cannot say enough about this MASTERPIECE! I first saw it when I was a child and remember hiding in my mother's apron. For years I was literally terrified to go into a room at night with a window not covered by curtains or blinds for fear of what might be lurking just beyond the thin glass. Where do I begin with my praise? Deborah Kerr and the other actors? This is acting of a caliber I don't think we recognize anymore. Talk about the difficulties of reaching for and maintaining a tone. Here's a period piece that far outshines any modern movie for sheer disquieting terror. The screenplay? Brilliant. Every line of dialogue is the right line, not just some line. It's what great screenwriting is all about (Oh yeah, thanks a lot, Henry James.) Freddie Francis' astonishing black & white cinematography--this may be the best photographed movie I've ever seen. The depiction of the ghosts--or ARE they--has never, never been duplicated in its simplicity and artistic integrity. What about Jack Clayton's direction? For as much reknown as he received, Clayton was a quiet genius, easily as good as Kubrick. I hope the two of them are in heaven talking film and having the time of their afterlives. Don't hesitate to get this work of art. It's one of the very best films ever made.

The many many people who have written about the lack of release of this movie on DVD may be interested to know it is being released in Australia in three weeks on DVD. In Australia we have the distinct advantage of being able to view all regions on our multi zone DVDs (about nienty percent of all DVD players on the market are multi zone) I am not sure if this is the case in America-where DVD players will play all regions. Check and see if your player does this, as it will mean the many people waiting to see this magnificent ghost story on DVD will be easily able to access it. Occasionally Australia gets movies on DVD first (Hello Dolly and All That Jazz were available a full two years before the US release). It will be interesting to see if the movie is adapted well, I can see no reason why it isnt. Unless a cheap company puts out a full screen pan and scan version ("Maurice' was released like this in Oz)--
I will report once the movie is released. It seems inconceivable that a movie of this worth has taken so long to reach DVD..