What makes The Innocents great

[@WhiteHartDane]

For decades this has by far been my favourite horror movie. Every time I watch it I discover something new due to its many layers.

[@riccardoalcaro8483]

I saw this movie during the lockdown. It has stuck with me ever since I finished watching as one of the best made movies in cinema’s history, in fact one of the best overall

[@eydiehunter4805]

This movie terrified me when I was younger. I STILL can’t watch this at night!

[@theStranger666]

Few horror films or ghost stories are as subtle and as artistic as this, and not too many ask you to think. You don't need vivid gore to be frightening either. Is it all supernatural? Or just in the governess' mind? Could it be a little bit of both? I personally think that the film is scarier if the ghosts are real than imagined. I wish I could have seen it at the cinema huge in 'scope with an audience. Blu ray at least shows how beautiful the monochrome photography is.

[@salty62]

love the passion and attention to detail - you did the screenwriters, directors, author, actors and everyone else involved in bringing this masterpiece to fruition - justice

[@ollycummins7311]

What a terrific, insightful, well-presented video! I was very sad to see you had no other videos! I hope one day we see more from you :)

[@michaelcallari1953]

This has always been one of my favorite movies. First saw it in my early teens & was haunted by the image of Miss Jessel. This movie still holds up rather well today. The subtle use of the ghosts/delusions adds to how frightening they are. Too many movies these days use CGI to show such things in minute detail and it never measures up, coming across as corny or contrived. The use of subtlety that leaves the viewer to fill in the details always works best because the details you fill in are what you yourself find frightening. Loved ur commentary. Opened my eyes to a number of things I missed, namely the roses, and the use of filters to shrink the screen. Looking forward to more videos by you.

[@lauren_neub]

Ultra thicc aspect ratio to get more Deborah Kerr on screen. Great video!

[@breakbulk6909]

you. you get it. (glad you enjoyed!!!

[@andrewreed4924]

Great breakdown of one of my all-time favorite films! I loved it the first time I saw it and it was one of the most chilling experiences I've ever had with a film. But as you discussed, the script and filmmaking is so rich with detail and ambiguity that it improves with each subsequent viewing. A true masterpiece.

[@aro5490]

fantastic breakdown. I saw this film for the first time when I was about 6 yrs old and was riveted. IMO this is the greatest ghost movie ever made. I got goosebumps just watching your video. thank you.

[@markbeck8384]

Just read the book again, and watched the movie for the first time. Deborah Kerr is just excellent. For those who love this story, I would also suggest seeing the Britten Opera, which is very good.

[@915buck]

You are right, you are so right!! The film is a gem!! May I suggest, "The Haunting," made around the same time.

[@larsliljeblad800]

Great analysis, very well done. Love 'The Innocents" such a beautiful, chilling and amazing film!

[@Hillr2249]

Watched it when I was young. LOVED IT!!!

[@CannonfireVideo]

Many people have trouble understanding widescreen systems. The history DOES get a bit tricky. I assure you that the aspect ratio of "The Innocents" was the same as any other 35mm anamorphic movie of that era. Originally (1953), Cinemascope used a 2.55:1 ratio and magnetic striped stereo sound. The image took up the space usually reserved for the optical soundtrack. A couple of years later, that aspect ratio was shaved down to accommodate a conventional optical soundtrack. (A lot of theaters didn't want to install stereo. Also, many producers didn't want to shell out for it.) The resultant aspect ratio was sometimes listed as 2.35:1 or 2.39:1. It all depended on the aperture plate in the projector, which masks all four sides of the image. There was a small problem: When cuts occurred, people sometimes noted the white splice marks at the top or bottom of the frame. Remember, in those days negatives were cut by hand, and some splices were inexact. So at some point in the late '80s or early 90s (I forget which), Panavision began to recommend that projectionists use an aperture plate with a 2.4:1 ratio. By cropping a tiny amount from the top and bottom, the splice marks were covered up. So if you see the numbers 2.4:1, it's a reference to the new standard, which remains in place -- yes, even for "Endgame," despite what you may have seen written down somewhere. Trust me on this. I've been following this stuff since the early 70s, I've known projectionists, and I had a friend who worked at Panavision.

[@MrBulky992]

Mrs Grose was a housekeeper rather than a caretaker. "Caretaker" suggests heavy duty maintenance of a building. The "housekeeper" was responsible for domestic arrangements e.g. catering, cleaning, sleeping arrangements, laundry, heating, keeping the house in order when occupied or ready for occupation.

[@MrBulky992]

I have never heard this usage of the word "caretaker" in the UK (I am 69 years' old). The word is only used in the way you describe for commercial buildings, public institutions e.g. schools or, in residential situations, for the communal areas in shared buildings e.g. blocks of flats (e.g. lifts, staircases, the roof etc. It equates to the word "janitor" more frequently used in Scotland (and the USA?). A housekeeper on the other hand, is responsible for the domestic running *within* a single residence including not only the detailed cleaning but also food, laundry, crockery, cutlery etc. : that is completely different from a "caretaker". If I'm not mistaken, the housekeeper in a country house is second only to the butler with the other staff (footmen, maids, valets etc.) reporting to them both.

[@erinrising2799]

Just watched the film (here on KZbin) and then your video popped up. Great job analyzing it

[@andresdelcastillo5692]

Every halloween I urge my peeps to forsake modern horror films and watch the Innocents. It stays with you. Also recommend to themThe Turn of the Screw, which is just as disturbing. Very good analysis - thx!

[@azhdeha]

The "I have connected the two dots" "You didn't connect sh1t" reference made me cackle. Great video!

[@kingkook3027]

That was really great, so insightful and engaging. I have always loved this film from the first time I stumbled across it accidentally on tv in 80s, to owning it on DVD and watching it at least once a year. Thank you for your excellent deconstruction of this timeless classic.

[@Lord_Heron]

Very good breakdown of this superb film. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Wonderful films like this one need to be kept alive, and you are doing your part, so thanks.

[@NoMoreNever]

I saw this movie when I was a kid and it's safe to say it left a lasting impression with me ever since. It and "The Haunting" from 1969 are among my favourite horror movies of all time and the reason they are so good is because they leave so much up to the viewers interpretation and also because the ghosts are rarely seen but when they do appear, they are all the more frightening.

[@thatssoraving]

This video should be on the criterion. Excellent analysis! Can’t wait to watch this again! 😊

[@jparr17]

Very good explanation of the subtleties in this film! - it's one of my favorite horror/ghost movies. The lighting is indeed impressive

[@brianmsahin]

I can't believe I never saw this movie until yesterday on YT. It is incredibly good. The atmosphere was suitably tense and eerie. The acting was outstanding as was the cinematography. I began to get some vibes from The Others with Nicole Kidman. Coincidentally as I was thinking about this there was a scene later in the movie between Deborah Kerr and Miles when he said there is only us here and she said "and the others"! I wonder was there some influence on The Others from this movie. Love your synopsis by the way! Just subscribed!

[@tarnopol]

Me, too! Saw it just now, and I am now in the fetal position. Fine horror.

[@salty62]

It was definitely inspiration for the Others. good catch

[@viviennetwigg8096]

An educated analysis of the movie based on ‘Turn of the Screw’ by Henry James - a perfect example of use of camera to create ambiguities. Were there ghosts or simply a highly strung governesses imagination? imagination?

[@spiral_heart8239]

I love your analysis. I learned so much about film in just 20 minutes. I'd love to see more videos from you.

[@seppukusushi2848]

It's a shame that directors don't use light this effectively anymore.

[@mobiuspaw494]

Brilliant film , great find on KZbin. Beautiful in black & white. Excellent video, thanks.

[@stefanhernold345]

Both the "disfigured cupid" garden scene and the earlier one in which Miss Giddens is shown recoiling in terror from a statue in the twilight of the country house are recognizably quoted in the notorious nursery scenes of 2012`s "The Woman in Black".

[@poetcomic1]

Both the work of Truman Capote in writing the script.

[@ljgeorge3123]

The only film and ghost story that really frightened by father who is at the time thirty-five years of age when the film came out.. he explained it's not the fact that it's a ghost story. It's an impact that it involved manifestation malevolence young impressionable children whose actions are like that of experienced adults which confuses other adults when it manifests itself in children

[@latrolettteeeeeee]

Yourfatherwasamoron

[@paulshri8609]

Agree...Deborah Kerr had a timeless beauty. Personal guilty pleasure is An Affair To Remember with Cary Grant.

[@alexander3699]

Great commentary on the film!!!

[@shahbazsheikh3545]

Just watched the movie yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Still thinking about it here the next day (a sign of a good movie is that it remains in your thoughts for days or even weeks). I think the governess's character was an allegory of sorts for Christianity: Loving and caring for her subjects yet, always controlling, demanding answers, questioning their intents and of course attempting to "save" them from evils which may or may not exists.

[@tio760]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@gretchenzwicker338]

This film scared me to death! It’s one of the only, that I have seen in my life, that truly did. I think it’s because I believe in the story of the ghosts..it’s complicated but to me makes the most sense. I truly appreciate this classic. Thank You for your review!

[@stevehoffman9052]

It is truly a spooky movie. One of the spookiest houses I've seen in a movie as well.

[@gretchenzwicker338]

@@stevehoffman9052 I found out recently this house is in Sussex, where my Mum is from. She grew up in a home that was 11th century, in Sussex. It’s such a beautiful place. About 32 miles SW of London.

[@stevehoffman9052]

@@gretchenzwicker338 I would love to visit such a place as Sussex. And to see the house where this film was made.

[@gretchenzwicker338]

@@stevehoffman9052 Sheffield House in Sheffield Park, Sussex. My mum is from Midhurst, Sussex. My three Aunts and my cousins still live there. My Mother was born 8/2/30 and lived through WWII in England. Her town was bombed, she remembers seeing a German plane so low she could see the pilot. My Grandad was in the Royal Navy on the submarines, so my Grandmother and my mother and aunts were all home alone during that time. I just wanted to add my Mother will be 94 on 8/4. I was born on her 30th birthday 8/2/60, I will be 64.😃❤️

[@stevehoffman9052]

@gretchenzwicker338 I'm now 66 and my mom was born in Liverpool and came to America in 1959 about a year after I was born. My dad is American from East Liverpool, Ohio. So it's nice that they are both from a Liverpool city or town. My mom was born on 8/2/34, so your mom and mine are near the same birthday. But sadly, my mom passed away Feb 2022. 😢. I should add that my mom's dad passed away when she was 2 years old, so she grew up with very little money in Liverpool with 2 sisters and 2 brothers

[@IditriPictures]

well made video on this film.. loved it..

[@latergee]

Just watched this today, great video!

[@samgardham4711]

That was excellent. Please make more videos

[@usforsarah]

What makes the movie great = Deborah Kerr. Period lol Every performance she gave was flawless regardless of the movie

[@mylifeisaparty]

Great vid. I'm excited to finish the book and rewatch this

[@stevesneed56]

Usually on every fall ! But not this year !??

[@richard8331]

Great video, please could you make some more. thanks.

[@pagano60]

"The Innocents" is my favorite horror film. (It **is** a horror film, isn't it?)

[@viviennetwigg8096]

Ambiguity is the key - the film is ambiguous as it should be lBenjamin Britten’s score the theatre performance v

[@geslinam9703]

I know the movie pushed the repressed sexuality of the governess ambiguity thing - but I stand by the novel, and James himself saying he intended to write a ghost story. I saw it for the first time as a kid, with my mother, who had seen it before and encouraged my love of the supernatural. I remember her saying “oh, you are going to love this!” She was right. It was just spooky as hell, scared the daylights out of me! It wasn’t till adulthood that I managed to struggle my way through the novel, very hard to read, but just as scary. Still one of my favorite ghost stories.

[@stefanhernold345]

Do you think someone like Miss Giddens would`ve been brought to trial in view of the - to say the least - *uncertain circumstances* in which a child died under her supervision ?

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

It`s all her not ghosts at all. Great film just watched it today

[@ljgeorge3123]

One final thought I am completely in love with the narrator's who is she and where can I meet her for coffee???

[@Sanguinesoup]

deborah kerr so fine

[@2seconds992]

I don't believe a word that you're saying. I.e. yes, i get it now. 👍

[@mdtys]

it's the everything

[@ljgeorge3123]

If you like this film you love the next one in a 12 to 14 hours series called The haunting of Bly Manor.. it's all spooky and full of malevolence and pure evil

[@MegaGraceiscool]

Great video! One piece of advice: Please speak up! I have to increase my volume a lot to hear you :[

[@GrupoAguasdeChiriquí]

I dint undertand the end...

[@pointman343]

These kids acted way beyond their time . 💀

[@nikkipage9132]

It's a silly movie. Way overdramatization by the heroine. It's as if she is imagining the possession. I couldn't finish it. The hysteria was too much.😂

[@NixonR-ek6eq]

Are you an only child?

[@nicolarivarossa4027]

volume too low

[@geoffjoffy]

I found it really boring and dated. Not scary at all. I switched it off after an hour. Horrible and overrated.

[@kodomoshawn6729]

Sorry there weren't enough cheap scares and bright colors to hold your attention. Maybe you should try a jack in the box, seems like it would be more on your level of entertainment.

[@geoffjoffy]

Do you know something, you demonstrate your entire lack of maturity with your comments. You just cannot accept somebody doesn't like what you like. Grow up.@@kodomoshawn6729

[@latrolettteeeeeee]

@@kodomoshawn6729eatcreamyshit

[@sherriemaines1683]

I know I'll get negative responses, that's ok. I found, The Innocents, to be very boring it and was not one of Deborah Kerr's movies.

[@ShootMeMovieReviews]

Excellent video on a film that I often cite as an example of some of the best cinematography I've seen. I need to re-find another channel's video that focuses more on the story elements as the two together form a great summary to present to friends who ask, "What's so good about The Innocents?"

[@Scene_Scout]

There is no ambiguity, she plays her as an insane person, which kills the effect of the novella. To introduce 'ambiguity' is just to make her insane. If you can read the story without taking her sanity for granted you're disqualified from the world of Letters. Go write best sellers or get a hospitality degree.