IMDb Synopsis: A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted.
Can I just start off by saying this film was fantastic? I hadn't heard that much about it prior to viewing, but I was quite blown away by how much I enjoyed it. The Innocents is a film that truly defines "classic horror".
I've always been a big fan of Deborah Kerr, and I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said this was the best of her performances I've seen so far. I'm quite surprised she did't get a Best Actress Oscar nomination in 1962. The whole cast itself was marvelous, including Megs Jenkins, Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin.
I can't finish this review without mentioning the direction and cinematography. Between director Jack Clayton (who also made Room at the Top and The Pumpkin Eater) and cinematographer Freddie Francis, The Innocents contains a very Hitchcockesque quality to it, which few films can pull off. Also worth noting are the Victorian-style costumes by Sophie Devine, who also made similar costumes for films such as Long Day's Journey Into Night and Great Expectations.
Overall, The Innocents is a wonderful and haunting film that I'd recommend to suspense/horror fans, or just classic film buffs in general. If you'd like to watch it, you can do so here.
5/5 stars
IMDb Synopsis: Musical about a widow who accepts a job as a live-in governess of the King of Siam's children.
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge fan of musicals. Sure, I like some, such as The Wizard of Oz, A Star Is Born and Mary Poppins, but most of my favorite films are found within the likes of dramas and film noirs. I'm glad to say, though, that The King and I is an exception.
This film is one of several to be adapted from one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Musicals, so it's no surprise that the musical numbers and the score are both wonderful. (The score actually won an Academy Award in 1957). My personal favorite of the musical numbers was "Shall We Dance"; you can view it here.
As for the acting, I thought Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner were both marvelous. I've seen Kerr is several films, as she is one of my favorite actresses, and she does not disappoint as Anna. This is my first time watching a Brynner film- he even won the Best Actor Oscar for this film- but it certainly won't be my last.
The color cinematography in The King and I is spectacular, but I don't expect any less from a Cinemascope film. Walter Lang's Academy Award nominated directing is great as well. Lang also directed another Rodgers and Hammerstein film, State Fair, which I don't care for very much.
Overall, I found The King and I to be a wonderful film, and one of few musicals that I can say I truly loved. Check it out if you haven't done so already.
5/5 stars
