THE INNOCENTS

Late 19th Century: a governess (Deborah Kerr) accepts to take care of the education of two brothers, Miles and Flora, who, under their good manners and ostentatious education, show concerning character traits. But these are not normal disciplinary problems: Miss Giddens soon finds herself involved in a story with dark and mysterious contours. The governess realizes that the two children are possessed by the ghosts of two employees of the mansion, who died under mysterious circumstances. The two children seem subdued by these ghosts and, despite their efforts, are unable to free themselves from the influence of these evil spirits... First cinematic version of the wonderful novel "The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. This is one of the most effective and frightening ghost-movies in the history of horror cinema, an anguishing journey into the world of spiritism. A certainly particular film, shot with a refined style and splendidly photographed by Freddie Francis (who a few years later will direct two horror films for the Hammer). The charm of the film lies in a continuous game of contrasts, which emphasize the mystery and the lability of the human mind. Some moments are truly terrifying: like the appearance in the middle of the lake of the dead girl while little Flora sings a childish tune, or the sequence in which the governess plays hide-and-seek with the children in the old house; pure suspense! Highly recommended.