THE INNOCENTS: A LOOK BACK

I place Jack Clayton's THE INNOCENTS high on the list along with THE HAUNTING and THE UNINVITED as one of the best ghost stories ever put on film. Based on Henry James' 1898 novella serialized in COLLIERS, "The Turn of the Screw" it is a marvelous screen adaptation of the story, which is a bit of a tough go as a result of its antiquated writing style, but still worth reading. James played down the supernatural aspect with the title, preferring to use the metaphor of the increasing psychological tension that unfolds during the tale. The film's title lends itself more accessible to modern audiences.

Behind Clayton's masterful direction, actors Deborah Kerr as Governess Miss Giddens, Martin Stevens as Miles, Pamela Franklin as Flora (as an adult, she would star in THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE) and the rest of the supporting cast all provide credibility to their characters, a critical element in stories such as this.

Deborah Kerr as Miss Gibbens.

Freddie Francis was the cinematographer behind the camera. He instills a disturbing, claustrophobic look to the film using modified lenses and creative depth of field shots which lend an overall air of Gothic Noir. Francis would sit in the director's chair  for a number of horror and science-fiction films including THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (1963), THE EVIL OF FRANKENSTEIN (1964), DR. TERROR'S HOUSE OF HORRORS (1965) and DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE (1968).

I highly recommend this film!

Pamela Franklin as Flora.

This article from CINEFANTASTIQUE (June-July 1983) offers an insightful retrospective of the film.

EXTRA!

Lobby cards:

MAN-KILLING PLANTS STALK THE EARTH!

If you're still waiting for the apocalypse to happen, it already did, folks--way back in 1963 when United Artists unleashed upon the world an invasion of Triffids, plant killers from outer space. The fact that most of Earth's population had gone blind gazing at the meteor shower that brought the botanical beasts to terra firma in the first place made it all the more disastrous. Based on renowned science-fiction author John Wyndham's novel, the movie took many liberties with the book, but the result was the same: sentient plants invaded Earth and nearly destroyed it (the novel ends unresolved).

Directed by Steve Sekely and Freddie Francis, the script was written by Philip Yordan and Bernard Gordon adapted (very loosely) from Wyndham's story. Money ran out during the production when there was on sixty minutes worth of film in the can. Funding finally came through and the climactic lighthouse scene was added.

Box office earnings are not readily available, but it was promoted heavily and trade journals of the day indicated it was popular and making money. For all the production problems and snafu's, THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS turned out to be an exciting and entertaining sci-fi/horror film, and I for one, rank it high on my list of favorite giant monster movies.

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS one-sheet theatrical poster and original art by Joseph Smith:

One-sheet theatrical poster (Italy)

Theatrical re-release, ca. 1980's.

An article from MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR (August 15, 1962) describing how to promote THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS at theaters to maximize profits.

This promotional preview sheet features Triffids as they might have appeared in a RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT newspaper strip. A glassine envelope with a few colored "Triffid" sunflower seeds was sometimes attached.

An article from MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR (May 15, 1963) that discusses another promotional gimmick.

On the hunt for Triffids! A promo stunt at a Cleveland greenhouse prior to the film's release. From BOXOFFICE SHOWMANISER (July 1, 1963).

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS reviewed in FILM BULLETIN (May 13, 1963):

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS lobby cards:

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS stills:

British "Front of House" photos:

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND #23 (June 1963):

Charlton put the stills supplied to them from United Artists' publicity department to good use by slapping together this "photo filmbook" from MAD MONSTERS #6 (Fall 1963):

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS was adapted into comic strip form in Marvel's UNKNOWN WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION #1 (cover by Kelly Freas) and #2 (January/March 1975) scripted by Gerry Conway and illustrated by Ross Andru and Ernie Chan:

Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction #1.

Original art by Kelly Freas.

Read Part 1 HERE.

Read Part 2 HERE.

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS trailer:

THE DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS feature-length film:

Theater banner:

Want to read more about plant monsters? Click HERE.