That's the typical British movie which is very rare, hard to watch, such as the next Ronny Neane's feature: MISTER MOSES. Well, this one is purely English in the style. And I guess Deborah Kerr's performance four years earlier in Jack Clayton's THE INNOCENTS contributed for her to obtain this governess character again. One more time. I would not have imagined an American movie give such a story, at least in this period. I won't repeat the topic, this would be useless, but the characterization and directing are perfect and the teenager's play is awesome, terrific, although this kind of movie is not really my cup of tea. Yes, I am glad to have seen this movie.

What can I say! I'm just another Haley Mills fan like all the rest. In this role as Laurel, she is being precocious, over inquisitive, and a downright trouble maker as far as governesses are concerned. However, her incessant pursuit of trying to turn up details in their private lives really underscores a psychological imbalance in her own young life which eventually surfaces. Much does revolve around the fact of her being estranged from her mother as the tale unfolds.This is a lovely combination of real-life father, John Mills, in a fine supporting role, and Deborah Kerr as the well-meaning but beleaguered governess. Many scenes are emotionally intense yet so well acted that we are swept along in the story. The tangled threads of family relationships is gradually sorted out and priorities are set aright after much confusion and willfulness particularly in the obstinacy of the grandmother (Edith Evans), who performs with great dramatic vehemence near the conclusion. A touching, human story, a great play.

I saw it for the third time, and liked it just as much as the first time. The first time I was much too young to understand the plot, but I loved Hailey Mills and the aura of doom and gloom coupled to gorgeous landscapes. This is a gorgeous movie, despite its many facial close ups (a sure sign of cinematic deterioration). Toward the end, I wiped a few tears. Ross Hunter has repeatedly delivered gorgeous movies. I am beginning to respect him.Mills has a rather impressive collection of movies to her credit. She deserves much more respect than she has received.

This could be classified as soap opera, but compared to the standards being set by most of what's produced these days, it's practically King Lear. Deborah Kerr is the governess hired by John Mills to minister to his (real-life) daughter Hayley. This picture falls into the "young rapscallion set right by proper English governess" genre, but the story engenders genuine emotion, and all the actors, especially Kerr and young Hayley, play their parts earnestly and convincingly.