The Innocents

A GREAT FILM FROM THE U. K.

Jack Clayton's production of THE TURN OF THE SCREW, called THE INNOCENTS, its final title, is one of the essentials of horror movies, the film being adapted from the novella of the great HENRY JAMES. The peculiarity of the novel is that it can be read from 3 different points of view and this partly comes into play in the movie but to a lesser extent. A Governess, Deborah Kerr (a tad too old for the part ) is hired by an uncle (Sir Michael Redgrave), who prefers the pleasure of city life, to take charge of 2 young children at a country estate at BLY. He has his reasons for not taking them under his wing. Within a few days of arrival at Bly, something seems amiss, well downright wrong or dangerous. Director Jack Clayton started off as a Cinematographer so the film is meticulously shot in beautiful B + W, thank God, not in colour. It simply wouldn't work well as a colour film as you'll discover very quickly. Clayton's use of long shots, some even looking upwards to a tower are stunning and revealing at the same time. He is as easy with the close-up as in the interview scene as the film opens. His angles and points of shooting capture the beauty of the countryside and the turmoil in the house. Sir Michael R. acts in only one extended scene so it's up to Kerr to make the film work and she doesn't disappoint the least bit! Miss Kerr as the the SPINSTER Governess is in top form, giving a very believable performance as the one who has the responsibility of protecting these children. MEGS JENKINS plays the housekeeper, a key role, and one of the children is the very young PAMELA FRANKLIN. One of the best horror stories I've read, the screenplay capturing every essence of the novel. THIS IS TRUE HORROR, not the junk Hollywood produces by the cart full. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Don't miss this one!