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The Innocents Details

1961 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 1656 members

Based on Henry James's TURN OF THE SCREW, THE INNOCENTS is a chilling psychological horror film about a woman, Miss Giddens (Kerr), who takes a position as governess for two orphans in a stately Victorian home. Alone with the children and only a few servants, Miss Giddens soon begins to see what she believes to be ghosts and .. Read more

Starring Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave
Director Jack Clayton
Genres Drama, Horror

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The Innocents cover art

The Innocents

Based on Henry James's TURN OF THE SCREW, THE INNOCENTS is a chilling psychological horror film about a woman, Miss Giddens (Kerr), who takes a position as governess for two orphans in a stately Victorian home. Alone with the children and only a few servants, Miss Giddens soon begins to see what she believes to be ghosts and begins to suspect that the children's increasingly bizarre behaviour may be the result of some supernatural power. When she learns the fate of the house's previous governess and valet, Miss Giddens takes it upon herself to rescue the children from the supernatural being that seems to have them in its grips, all the while questioning her own sanity. Kerr's nuanced performance, possibly the best of her career, and Francis's atmospheric cinematography help make this a true horror classic.

Starring Deborah Kerr, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave, Martin Stephens, Pamela Franklin, Clytie Jessop
Director Jack Clayton
Studio BFI VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 36 mins
Blu-ray: 1 hr 36 mins
Certificate Certificate 12
Genres Drama, Horror
Language DVD: English
Blu-ray: English
Released DVD: 18 Dec 2006
Blu-ray: 22 Mar 2010
Production year: 1961
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of The Innocents

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  • A stunning example of a now almost ignored truism of the horror genre: a movie need not show so much as the tiniest fleck of viscera to be absolutely terrifying

    • Premiere
    • Posted 08 Oct 2007

  • Extremely impressive chiller based on Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, with Kerr perfectly cast as the prim,... read more on Time Out

    • Time Out
    • Posted 04 Nov 2008

  • Most helpful member's review of The Innocents

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  • 32 out of 35 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    They just dont make em like this anymore

    I first watched this film as a young teenager and it has had hold over me ever since. Deborah Kerr, in one of her best roles, is completely convincing as the naive Governess sent to look after two young children. This film really is a classic. I won't spoil the plot for those who haven't seen it but it has all the best things in a thriller - hauntings, disturbing children, dark corridors. You'll definitely want to keep the lights on after watching this - and avoid anyone called Miles or Flora.

      • Elizabeth Lewis from London, UK
      • Posted 06 Dec 2006 23:06

  • Most recent members' review of The Innocents

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Maybe in its time...

    Won't spend too much time on this one, save to say that it really felt a bit too dated to be scary or even atmospheric.

    The children in it were extremely annoying, especially with their incessant habit of laughing mockingly at inappropriate times throughout the film...it just felt a bit too dated for me, so needless to say I didn't finish watching this one.

      • Kinger from Petersfield
      • Posted 12 Oct 2007 16:13

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1,656 Member ratings
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253
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36
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    • Innocents, The - BLU-RAY Version

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      Based on Henry James's TURN OF THE SCREW, THE INNOCENTS is a chilling psychological horror film about a woman, Miss Giddens (Kerr), who takes a position as governess for two orphans in a stately Victorian home. Alone with the children and only a few servants, Miss Giddens soon begins to see what ...
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      • Based on Henry James's TURN OF THE SCREW, THE INNOCENTS is a chilling psychological horror film about a woman, Miss Giddens (Kerr), who takes a position as governess for two orphans in a stately ...