There are two things in my opinion that are certain after
watching The Innocents (1961). The first is that this is the best of
Jack Claytons British body of work, and I say this after watching three of his
other sixties films in the last week. These included The
Pumpkin Eater (1964) adapted
by Harold Pinter from Penelope Mortimer’s novel, which deals with the
disintegration of marriage.[1] The very
much overlooked and underrated Our
Mothers House in 1967. A rather unfashionable story for a film
released during the ‘summer of love’ but none the less a well-executed and compelling
drama showing a darkly engaging slice of South London[2]
life where its religious and sexual undercurrent present us with a spooky
atmospheric movie. Dirk Bogarde may have been the star, he was nominated for an
Academy award for his role, but Clayton coaxed flawless performances from all
the children whom you can't take your eyes of off especially the Japanese born
British actress Pamela Franklin.[3]
And we must not forget Clayton’s debut feature film Room at the Top (1959). This was a groundbreaking film in the
development of what was deemed the British
New Wave (1959 -1963) and of course the British film industry in general, because of its sexual and general scenes and
strong dialogue (for the time). Adapted from John Braine’s novel it was a decisive break from the staid middle
class restraint and repression of films like David Leans Brief
Encounter (1945)[4]. This was British Cinema coming
of age, hard-hitting and realistic.
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| The interview for the new governess. |
The second
is that The Innocents is a
masterpiece in the psychological horror/thriller genre, a template for many
films that followed like The Others (2001)
The Orphanage (2007) and the more recent
The
Awakening (2011). Yes, masterpiece is often over used when describing a
movie and mostly I must say underserved, but in this case it seems highly
appropriate for reasons I set out as follows.
 |
| Miss Giddens. |
All the best films must have a good story and it must of
course be well told. Our subject matter has just that and more. As your
probably aware it was the first feature film[5] adapted
from the novel, The Turn of the Screw,
written in 1898 by Henry James that is, according to Susan Kenny, said to be one of the most
influential ghost stories of all time. Not only does it appeal to those of us
who like a good thrill, it is also a model for any aspiring writer of suspense.
James's text is famous for its lasting mysterious qualities; though the story
originally appeared over a hundred years ago in 1898, it still stumps readers
everywhere to this day. Its many confusing twists and turns have sparked
debates between critics since its publication, and the story has been examined
from all kinds of different angles – from psychoanalysis to literary criticism.
Part of what's so fascinating about it is the fact that James himself never
clearly came out and told readers what he intended them to believe, and it's
this ambiguity that makes it one of this prolific author's most famous, talked
about short stories. All in all as a presentation of the novel,
The Innocents is wonderful and enables an entirely new audience to sample the
absolute genius that is Henry James ability to force you to conclude things for
yourself.[6]
It was brilliantly adapted
for the screen by playwright William Archibald and novelist Truman Capote who
won a 1962 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for the Best Motion
Picture Screenplay for their efforts. I am reliable informed that the
adaptation stays very close to the story which in it self is very simple. A
governess is employed to look after two orphaned young children who live in a
very large country estate by their wealthy bachelor uncle who wants nothing to
do with the upbringing of his charges and is happy to leave the new appointee solely
responsible for the children and the servants as long as she does not bother
him.
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| The kindly housekeeper Mrs Grose. |
Then there is the
acting. Ignoring The Uncle, played by Michael Redgrave, who we only see long
enough to give the viewer the basis of the story, the main characters are The
Governess, Miss Giddens a rather reserved spinster performed impeccable by the
serene Scottish actress Deborah Kerr, the kindly housekeeper Mrs Grose, played
by the British character actress Megs Jenkins who gives a faultless performance
of a loyal servant who is unwilling to reveal the secrets confined to the past
at Bly House. Then we have the uncle’s valet Peter Quinn (Peter Wyngarde) and
the previous governess Miss Jessel (Clytie Jessop). I have, as they say, left the
best until last, the children, again just as in Our Mothers House, Clayton has coaxed flawless performances
from the two young actors, Miles is
played by Martin Stephens whose you may remember from Village of the Damned in 1960 and Pamela Franklin in her debut
feature film as Miles sister Flora. I believe that it was the fine performances
from these two children that went along way to secure a nomination for a BAFTA
Award for Best British Film, it lost out to Tony Richardson’s Taste
of Honey (1961).
 |
| Miles and his.... |
The third
ingredient of this powerful Victorian thriller is the inspirational
cinematography that was responsible for the films impressive gothic ambiance,
employing deep focus in many scenes as well as the bold, minimal lighting. The man
responsible for this was one of the United Kingdom best cinematographers
Freddie Frances who had
worked previously with Clayton on Room at
the Top. His career spanned
over 40 years from 1956 up until 1999 and during that time had won two Academy
Awards for his work, Sons and Lovers
in 1960 and Glory in 1989. It should also be pointed out that creating
the overall atmosphere was helped by the use of naturalistic sound and also the
opening song from the film ‘O Willow
Wally’ that carries its haunting theme through out the 100 minute running
time. It was written by Georges Auric and Paul Dehn and sung on the soundtrack
by Isla Cameron who made a short appearance in the film as the servant Anna.
 |
| ....sister Flora. |
The movie, which
tread’s a fine line between a
conventional ghost story and a psychological tale of repression, was the final screening of this seasons Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre’s Film
Club. It was re-released by the BFI as part of their gothic season and following its broadcast there was an
interesting and well-attended discussion. As Henry James had made it quite
clear we are meant to conclude the films meaning for our selves. This formed
the basis of our debate i.e. are the children possessed by the spirits of the
past or is it the governess who is mad and evil or possibly sexually repressed,
turning her attention to a young boy and of course we must nor forget ‘the
kiss’? I won’t repeat the details of what was discussed that would reveal too
much of the films narrative, but I would say that we did not reach a firm
agreement!
So lets leave the
final word to Mark Kermode who described the film as a ‘shimmering gem, a master class in suggestion,
a flawless recreation of the uncanny which pits the subconscious against the
supernatural to genuinely hair raising effect’[7]
[1] Anne
Bancroft won the award for Best
Actress at the 1964
Cannes Film Festival and the BAFTA
Award for Best Foreign Actress. She was also
nominated for the Best
Actress at the 37th
Academy Awards, losing that award to Julie Andrews (who won for her role in Mary
Poppins). Harold Pinter won the 1964
BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay
[2] The location shooting took place in Croydon.
[3] Clayton made one more feature film in Britain before
he died in 1995 The Lonely Passion of
Judith Hearne (1987)
[4] Brief Encounter
(1945) Directed by David Lean. The story
of a pampered, spoilt and lazy woman who has an adulterous affair with a
married Doctor who should know better. Badly acted, extremely corny and
accompanied by some very irritating music.
[5] The Turn of the Screw (1959), an early live television play directed by John Frankenheimer and featuring Ingrid Bergman.
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