The Innocents (BFI Film Classics) - Softcover

Christopher Frayling

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844573435 ISBN 13: 9781844573431

Publisher: British Film Institute, 2013

Synopsis

Jack Clayton's gothic masterpiece The Innocents, though not a commercial success on its release in 1961, has been hailed as one of the greatest psychological thrillers of all time. Dividing reviewers with its ambiguous depiction of ghosts, the film ignited a debate about the aesthetics of horror which still rages today. In this stimulating introduction to The Innocents, Sir Christopher Frayling traces the film from its genesis in the original novel The Turn of The Screw by Henry James, via contemporary critical contexts and William Archibald's 1950 stage adaptation of the same name, to the screenplay by William Archibald, Truman Capote and John Mortimer. Drawing on unpublished material from Jack Clayton's archive including Capote's handwritten drafts for the film and interviews with Deborah Kerr, Freddie Francis, and John Mortimer, Frayling explores how this classic ghost story came to life on screen. This special edition features original cover artwork by Matthew Young.

About this title

Book Description:

A stimulating introduction to The Innocents that traces the film from its genesis in The Turn of the Screw through to the classic screenplay of 1961

About the Author:

Sir Christopher Frayling was until recently Rector of the Royal College of Art, Chair of the Arts Council England, Trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Governor of the BFI. An award-winning broadcaster on radio and television, his books include Ken Adam (2005) and Sergio Leone (2005).

About this edition

• Publisher: British Film Institute
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1844573435
• ISBN 13: 9781844573431
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 115