The Innocents (1961)
Grade: 87
"The Innocents" is an excellent ghost story, set in Victorian-era England. The script, based on the Henry James novel 'The Turn of the Screw', is first rate, as is the direction and casting. Child actors Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin give performances far better than could be expected, and the plot has much drama and suspense.
The story has indifferent playboy Michael Redgrave hiring first-time governess Deborah Kerr to care for his orphaned cousins Flora (Franklin) and Miles (Stephens). Upon arrival at the large, wealthy estate and mansion, Kerr finds the children to be both happy and friendly. But she is troubled by what she considers to be sinister aspects to their personalities.
Kerr is startled but not intimidated by apparitions. These ghosts resemble descriptions by housekeeper Megs Jenkins of the former governess and valet, who had a twisted affair and died violently. Kerr believes that these evil spirits are possessing the souls of the children, and takes upon herself the task of exorcising them.
Screenwriters William Archibald and Truman Capote no doubt enjoyed adding creepy touches to the children's dialogue (e.g. Flora delightedly tells Kerr: "Look! A spider is eating a butterfly!") and in making the ever-saintly Kerr appear to be losing her sanity.
Kerr's lack of assurance in the film's early stages doesn't jive with her later strong will to confront the spirits. Jenkins' character concedes the children's possession but disagrees with Kerr's confrontational methods for helping them.
"The Innocents" was unjustly ignored by Oscar, but it was awarded Best British Film by the British Academy Awards.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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