Product Details

• Actors: Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Miriam Hopkins, Fay Bainter
• Directors: William Wyler
• Writers: John Michael Hayes, Lillian Hellman
• Producers: William Wyler, Robert Wyler, Walter Mirisch
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed: French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: December 3, 2002
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006L92W
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,035 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Children's Hour" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

A child's lie has life-shattering consequences in this Oscar®-nominated* daring adaptation of Lillian Hellman's celebrated play from legendary director William Wyler. Starring Academy Award® winners** Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine and co-starring James Garner, Miriam Hopkins and Fay Bainter, this landmark film is "one of the most finely wrought dramas in the history ofthe screen" (Motion Picture Herald). Karen (Hepburn) and Martha (MacLaine) are theheadmistresses of an exclusive school for girls. When they discipline a malicious little girl, the vindictive child twists an overheard comment into slander and accuses her teachers of questionable behavior. Soon the scandalous gossip engulfs the school's community, with repercussions that are swift, crushing and tragic. *1961: Supporting Actress (Bainter), Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design, Sound **Hepburn: Actress, Roman Holiday (1953); Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1992); MacLaine: Actress, Terms of Endearment (1983)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 130 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Devastating Drama November 1, 2002

By Gary F. Taylor HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Written and first staged in the 1930s, THE CHILDREN'S HOUR was master playwright Lillian Helman's first great success. It also provoked a scandal: the story concerned two women who run a school for girls--and who suffer scandal and personal tragedy when an unruly student accuses them of having a lesbian affair. The play was such a success that Hollywood wasted little time in buying the film rights, but the material was too hot for the 1930s film industry; the story was significantly rewritten into a fairly insipid love-triangle melodrama and was released under the title THESE THREE. It would be another thirty years before American film was ready to tackle the play head on.

Many critics have noted that THE CHILDREN'S HOUR is not about lesbianism, but about the power of a lie. There is some truth to this, for the entire plot rests on the child's lie and its devasting effect. But Helman was not a superficial writer: once the knife goes in, she twists it several times, first in a series of emotional revelations between the leading characters and finally in a portrait of society that attacks any one perceived as different in any way--even to the point of driving them to death. Some complain that this is merely another Hollywood stereotype in which the gay character has to be punished by the film's conclusion, but I disagree; if anything, Helman's point remains as unfortunately valid today as it was in the 1930s and again in the 1960s.

The cast ranges from solid to exceptional, and the supporting cast is exceptionally fine. Fay Bainter and Mirian Hopkins, both legendary actresses, give truly memorable performances in supporting roles; child actresses Karen Balkin and Veronica Cartwright also give remarkably powerful performances. And Audrey Hepburn and James Garner are rock solid as school teacher Karen Wright and her beau Dr. Cardin. But the raw power of the film comes from Shirley MacLaine, who gives one of the most inspired performances of her career as school teacher Martha Dobie. In this case superlatives are not enough: no one who sees the film will easily forget her tortured, passionate performance. Director William Wyler tells the story with great simplicity and to tremendous effect. Strongly recommended.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Suspense Movie October 6, 1999

By Kosmos

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

It is a very good movie that deals with a very difficult social issue in a very believable plot. It will keep you in suspense all the time. I felt a great deal of empathy for the leading ladies as they were falsely accused based on the lies of a wicked child. Lesbianism was the issue but, the way it was handled in the film, it would apply to any other delicate matter. Just imagine how difficult would be to prove wrong or attack the credibility of a child.

Excellent performances by all the actors, especially Ms. Hepburn who portrays one of her most dramatical roles. Pay special attention to the last scenes, the conclusion is superb, both in plot resolution and in cinematography. Observe Ms. Hepburn in the final shots, she is as graceful as ever with a black coat and a black beret, just in simple clothes.

William Wyler was excellent in directing this movie and he is able to show his special touch with a surprising ending as he did with Roman Holiday. Viewers are left with a wistful yearning. He is successful in portraying that unhappy endings are sometimes much better storywise and cinematically, and also to better reflect reality.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Important, Impressive, Inspiring!!!!!!!!!!! December 19, 2002

By Raider Jack VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I definitely remember seeing this movie as a youngster, well before I had come out to friends and family, and it left an indelible impression on me and actually provided me with survival tools, all people, regardless of their differences would invariably need to effectively deal with societal intolerance. (As a matter of fact, being gay and African-American, an excellent companion piece to this film would be the original film production of "A Raisin in the Sun." This constitutes inspiration of the highest order!!)

The performances are spellbinding, most notably, Audrey Hepburn and Shirley McClaine. It was indeed ahead of its time and quite frankly I am surprised it has not been re-done. But on second thought, regardless of cast, there would be very little that a remake could lend. This would be a classic example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." This version does exactly what it was intended to do: open up a dialogue. It is uncomprimising and tastefully done with wrenching performances and is just as timely today as when it was first produced. I heartily recommend it as a thought-provoking and important film.