Innocents

Pros: Strong Performances and Excellent Direction
Cons: None

Tagline: “Do They Ever Return to Possess the Living?” The Innocents is a 1961 black and white cult horror classic directed by Jack Clayton and starring Deborah Kerr. It is the movie adaptation of Henry James novella The Turn ...

Pros: Superb black and white that adds heightened suspense to the proceedings!
Cons: Nothing, nil, nada!

Our scene opens at the height of Queen Victoria's reign in England in the mid-19th century. A gentleman, in the guise of 'The Uncle' (Michael Redgrave) has been entrusted, much to his chagrin, with the care and upbringing of a young niece, Flora and a nep ...

Pros: Haunting, atmospheric movie that I think is the greatest ghost story ever made
Cons: Deborah Kerr is too old for role, but her great performance makes this easily forgivable

Synopsis: “The Innocents” is based on Henry James’ classic ghost story “The Turn of the Screw” which is about a young woman who is hired by a wealthy man to become the governess of his young niece and nephew at a secluded ...

Pros: Mysterious, suspenseful, terrifying, thought-provoking.
Cons: none

This is a marvelous rendition of the classic ghost story "The Turn of the Screw." Far superior to the Julian Sands 1994 movie. The acting is incredible, especially the children. The subtlety and innuendo prevalent in the original story come through perfectly, and the true horror is more in what is not revealed than what is.

Perhaps it may be too subtle for some viewers, but that is the beauty of the story. The compassion that Deborah Kerr shows for the children is impressive, and really makes the movie (even if she is a bit old for the part).

With no in-your-face grotesquerie, the movie succeeds in being disturbing, suspenseful, terrifying, and even has a tear-jerker of an ending. A marvelous, classic work of art.