The Innocents (1961)

The spine tingling effects of the psychological horror is masterly displayed here in the alluring 1961 film The Innocents. A masterful adaptation of the novella “The Turn of the Screw” by Henry James. The Innocents is a period horror set in 19^th century England that focuses on Ms Giddens and the frightening turn of events that occur when she goes to work as a governess on a delectable country estate. She begins to see the ghosts of a man and a woman who were once employees on the estate. She then becomes frantic because she thinks the children she has been hired to govern are possessed by these ghosts. The question is whether or not Ms Gidden’s is a reliable and sane character. Well either way this is an amazing film. It transcends a feeling of eeriness and coldness through the effective camera work seen through beautiful black and white photography; this along with the enigmatic plot and characters makes everything work perfectly to build up an unnerving atmosphere. 

The chilling opening to the film does nothing but lure you in; executed in such a pure way even when it was first screened cinema projectionists thought they were having technical difficulties. Because for the first minute, even before 20^th century Fox display their trademark, all the audience is introduced to is the voice of a child singing a haunting tune over a screen of blackness. (You can imagine how marvellous this would have been to see at the theatre).

After the credits role it begins as Ms Giddens is being accepted for the governess position, despite her inexperience, the uncle (Michael Redgrave) and caregiver to the two children doesn’t mind, just as long as he doesn’t have to take responsibility for his niece and nephew. When Ms Giddens arrives on the estate it’s as if she has found heaven and it wouldn’t be heaven without angels. The two kids Flora and Miles appear to be just that, ever so angelic. But their child like behaviour begins to appear as an act; Ms Giddens begins to grow weary of the sibling’s secretive ways. Miles’ mature manner leads Ms Giddens to suspect he has become possessed. A highly unsettling scene occurs when Miles kisses Ms Giddens on the mouth in a very prolonged and adult way, which only furthers the questions. The spontaneity of the odd moment sets you back into an uneasy state and you wonder, did that really just happen?  

Ms Giddens is portrayed by British actress Deborah Kerr (The Black Narcissus, From Here to Eternity). Kerr like the pro she was plays the character with an air of elegance and intensity which only poignancies her characters moments of instability. It’s actually quite surprising in some key scenes when you expect she is about to let out a scream (like any average person would, given the circumstances), she is actually quite composed. She comes off as if she’s in control of the situation or she just can’t quite fathom her own supernatural experiences.

What I find special about this movie and separate from horror films that are often remade and recycled ideas which come a dime dozen, is that quite simply The Innocents is unusual, and not Black Swan unusual. It demonstrates you don’t always need characters be particularly daring or ruthless Ed Gein wannabes to have that feeling of fear in you. Even for its time it never quite fitted in a mould with other horror movies, thus it has aged really well; so timeless it could have been made in any period between the 40s till today. Director Jack Clayton (Room at the top, The Great Gatsby) purposely set out to make this film different from any other horror film made at that time, he especially wanted to deter it from being placed into the same category as the popular British Hammer horrors. Clayton specialized in adapting Literary works he once said  "I don't believe in being fashionable. Try to be and you're usually out of date before you start.", that idea may have not always made his movies popular in their release but it worked in his favor in the long run. He even turned down the offer to have Cary Grant play the role of "The Uncle", instead opting for another british veteran Michael Redgrave. 

The ambiguity leaves you to draw your own conclusion(s). The mere fact you are left to ponder the whole story might irritate you, or you might find the mystery intriguing. Fan’s of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, The Other’s (which is practically a remake of this), Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Village of the Damned will enjoy this. Remember to turn out the lights and bask in the bazaar, eerie wonders of The Innocents.