The Innocents (1961 film)
| The Innocents | |
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U.S. theatrical poster
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| Directed by | Jack Clayton |
| Produced by | Jack Clayton |
| Screenplay by |
William Archibald Truman Capote John Mortimer (additional scenes and dialogue) |
| Based on |
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James |
| Starring |
Deborah Kerr Michael Redgrave Peter Wyngarde Megs Jenkins Martin Stephens Pamela Franklin Clytie Jessop Isla Cameron |
| Music by | Georges Auric |
| Cinematography | Freddie Francis |
| Edited by | Jim Clark |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
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Release date
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Running time
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100 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £430,000 |
| Box office | $1.2 million (US/ Canada) |
The Innocents is a 1961 British supernatural gothic horror film directed and produced in CinemaScope by Jack Clayton, and starring Deborah Kerr, Michael Redgrave and Megs Jenkins. Based on the novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, the plot follows a governess who watches over two children and comes to fear that the house is haunted by ghosts and that the two children are being possessed. The title of the film was taken from William Archibald's stage adaptation of James' novella. Falling within the subgenre of psychological horror, the film achieves its effects through lighting, music and direction rather than conventional shocks. Its atmosphere was created by cinematographer Freddie Francis, who employed deep focus in many scenes, as well as bold, minimal lighting. It was partly shot on location at the Gothic mansion of Sheffield Park in Sussex.
The Innocents pioneered the use of synthesised electronic sound, generated by Daphne Oram.
Miss Giddens (Deborah Kerr) applies for a job as a governess. It is to be her first position, but the wealthy bachelor interviewing her (Michael Redgrave) is unconcerned with her lack of experience. He values his freedom to travel and socialise and unabashedly confesses that he has "no room, mentally or emotionally" for his niece and nephew. They were orphaned and left in his care as infants, and he keeps them at Bly, his country estate. The previous governess, Miss Jessel, died suddenly less than a year ago. All he cares about is that Miss Giddens accept full responsibility for the children, never troubling him with whatever problems may arise.
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