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Poster for The Innocents

The Innocents

Seen it?

1961 | 100 min | Horror, Mystery

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and horror fans. If you loved The Haunting, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Scary.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 40 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1961: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In a mid-19th century Essex country house, a young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted by ghosts and that the children are being possessed.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 88 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.5 out of 10

  • AwardsBelow par

    1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $1 million worldwide on a $430K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 156K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jack Clayton

  • Deborah KerrMiss Giddens
  • Peter WyngardePeter Quint
  • Megs JenkinsMrs. Grose
  • Michael RedgraveThe Uncle
  • Martin StephensMiles
  • Pamela FranklinFlora
  • Clytie JessopMiss Jessel
  • Isla CameronAnna
  • Eric WoodburnCoachman (uncredited)