The Innocents (1961)

The Innocents DVD - Movie

Not a great movie. I suppose it was considered good for its time. The acting was horrible as were many movies in 1961 I suppose. I was bored with it halfway through. I love old movies...but this one's not on my list of favorites. I don't recommend it. December 16, 2008

I love this movie.

This is a great movie from start to end. I watched this movie last night, and I have to say that it's a great film. When I watched it last night, I must say that it was a great ghost story right up to the very end of the film. The acting in this movie was awesome especially with the children acting so strangely. When you see them acting strangely, you can tell right away that something is not right about them, but I don't want to tell you anymore, because that would be a giveaway. Would you want to be in a house with something like that happening? I would, because I am not afraid, even if the house has a haunted past like this with the two creepy children. This film is a great film to watch for Halloween, and comes highly recommended. October 15, 2008

Who's Zoomin' Who?

[This review is part of my 31 days of Halloween series.]

There are certain aspects of this b&w puzzler that remind me of THE OTHERS with Nichole Kidman. The audience is presented a landscape with many undertones linking between the world of the living and the shadowland of those who have passed over. Deborah Kerr is outstanding as the repressed Victorian type governess. She is hired to take complete charge of 2 children who live in an appropriately gloomy mansion in the country. The man who hires her is the very reluctant guardian (Michael Redgrave) of the pair. He makes it clear that he is not interested in any future personal involvement. So, Kerr finds herself more or less stranded with the rather odd (and uncomfortably close) brother & sister. There is only a rather nice--and rather simple--housekeeper to provide any kind of adult companionship.

But are they really alone?

What unfolds is an extremely intelligent script & expert direction crafting a subtle yet gripping story of love, betrayal, psychic manipulation, death & suicide.

When this film was initially released in Great Britain it did so with an astonishing "X" rating. Apparently the movie earned this repressive tag because of one scene where the boy displays seductive behavior to his confused governess--or is it really the boy, or a spirit acting through him? Anyway, the scene was considered so forbidden that the child actor was not allowed to see the entire script & was given very little in the way of motivation. Surprisingly the scene is very effective--and really isn't "naughty" at all.

This is a b&w classic--and the fact that it is black & white sets up the atmosphere of shadow & light, misty gardens & an all round gothic sensation.

Valerie Bertinellie produced & starred in a 1980's YV version that was extremely good on all points. Of course it was in color, but this version maintained the atmospheric "feel" of the story.

The Haunting
The Changeling
Hammer Horror Collection (The Curse of Frankenstein / Dracula Has Risen from the Grave / Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed / Horror of Dracula / The Mummy / Taste the Blood of Dracula)
Hammer Horror Series (Brides of Dracula / Curse of the Werewolf / Phantom of the Opera (1962) / Paranoiac / Kiss of the Vampire / Nightmare / Night Creatures / Evil of Frankenstein)
Bride of Chucky
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Collector's Edition) October 9, 2008

Hauntingly great movie

This is an excellent film for those that enjoy a truly classic ghost story... You will not have to brace yourself for any gore. This is a visual as well as a psychological thriller. It is one of my favorites. October 7, 2008

CREEPY CLASSIC HOLDS UP WELL! 4 1/2 STARS!

There are few films that are this old that can actually deliver any chills anymore. 'The Innocents' is a solid chiller even if it's a tad too long. Creepy atmosphere, haunting visuals and an excellent cast make this a grade a chiller! I caught this on cable so i can not give a review for this DVD edition. The film is worth checking out for sure! April 8, 2008

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