Atmospheric period thriller, ghost story, psychological study of repressed fears and sexuality, "The Innocents" (1962) adapted by Jack Clayton from Henry James' novella "The Turn of the Screw" fits perfectly all these genres and blends them in the unique, one of its kind film. Ms. Giddens (Deborah Kerr) is hired by a rich, self-centered man (Michael Redgrave) to take care of his young orphaned niece and nephew who live in the country side. He needs her to be completely responsible for them and never bother him with any problems. The young woman is very eager and exited to meet two children and to become not just their governess but their friend. She is ready to love them. The huge mansion where a brother and sister live is full of dark and gloomy secrets. Very soon, the young and inexperienced governess begins to suspect that the children who act strangely may be possessed by the spirits of two former servants who both died under the mysterious circumstances. Are the children possessed or is that Ms. Giddens' imagination and fears play with her mind? Do the ghosts appear or is she the only one who sees them? We would never receive a definite answer but it does not make a movie any less interesting and compelling.
Review of The Innocents
