The Innocents. 1961. Directed by Jack Clayton.

(11/6/00)

I really didn't like The Innocents for most of its length. I found the production stuffy. I didn't get interested in the characters. There was too much talk about things which should have been seen. Pamela Franklin's voice came across as shrill and was hard to hear. At the beginning of the film Michael Redgrave as the uncle emphasizes that Niss Giddens will need to be able to assume complete responsibility and not bother him. Thus, it seems certain that he knows that strange events are taking place regarding the children, but this angle is never developed.

I very much liked Martin Stephens as the possessed Miles. He was totally convincing as an adult in the body of a boy. There is one really disturbing scene where he kisses Miss Giddens on the mouth.

The film really comes to life when Miss giddens does battle with the possessing spirits. It is so poignant when she tries to get Flora to admit that she sees the spirit of the dead woman and Flora ends up in hysterics, like she has been abused. This is so painful for Miss Giddens who is kind and means so well to be made to be seen an abuser of the little girl.

The final confrontation with Miles is absorbing, except for his sudden, abrupt death. This is a disappointment as we are denied the pleasure of a hard-won victory, but it also leaves us wondering what it means. Or it left me wondering, at any rate.

This film is based on The Turn of the Screw, which I have not read, but I believe that the original story is ambiguous. It is never made clear whether the two children or if Miss Giddens is imagining it. There is no question in The Innocents and I think that the film would have benefited from some ambiguity.