Moustroll Good movie but grossly overrated

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Jenna Walter The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Lee Eisenberg For years, the Hays Code banned any depiction of or reference to same-sex relationships in movies. Movies would occasionally depict it indirectly - such as in "Ben-Hur" - but it was practically unheard of to see any overt discussion of homosexuality in movies. "The Children's Hour", adapted from Lillian Hellman's play, must've been a shock at the time. Hellman based her play on a case that happened in Scotland in 1809, but I suspect that this sort of thing happened a lot. In the 21st century we're so used to tolerance of LGBT relationships that it comes as a surprise to us that anyone ever found them repulsive (but make no mistake, there are plenty of people who would just love to criminalize any "non-traditional" relationship).As expected, Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine turn in fine performances. The chilling performance comes from Veronica Cartwright ("The Birds" and "Alien") as the girl who spreads the rumor. She seems so innocent, but clearly has a sociopathic side. This is one movie that everyone should see. A sobering reminder of what lying can cause, and a look at how society in general used to view LGBT people.

Richie-67-485852 This is a well done tasteful movie about many issues starting with the rumor mill or gossip that plagues everyone yet all contribute to it one way or another. However, when it gets out of hand, it can destroy. Another issue is the believability of a child and when they say something. If they have never learned to lie then they are beyond reproach. If they did learn to lie what defense do adults have? We all visit with teachers who have to be fit and perfect if for the only reason that they are teaching kids verbally and by example too. There is rush to judgment, doubt and hidden bias at work in this film that when you mix it all together a fine must see movie is upon you. Watch the expressions on the old grandmas face when the kid is whispering in her ear. Priceless! Also watch the little brat kids face too as she acts out quite effectively "if looks could kill" on another little girl. Enjoy James Garner who is as handsome as ever. The film takes the viewer by surprise. You see it starts out rather mundane and slowly surfaces here and there until we are grabbed. Then, it doesn't let go. Stay with it through all this because your emotions will go full cycle and run toward the comeuppance part. Also consider the ending. Was there any truth to all these lies? Does it take one to know one? Enjoy

HotToastyRag It's always a shame when classic movies' breakthroughs have been so overdone that watching the original loses its meaning. I hope when you watch The Children's Hour you can appreciate how groundbreaking and scandalous it was in 1961.Based on a Lillian Hellman play (that's your cue to prepare yourself for a very heavy movie), Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine play two teachers at an all-girls school. One of the students is a terrible, pot-stirring brat, and she starts a rumor about her two teachers. She claims she saw them kissing, and the aftermath of her accusation wreaks havoc on the good friends' careers and lives.Both women give excellent, powerful performances, and there's so much to appreciate about the film. Obviously, moral discussions will abound afterwards, but what gets under my skin the most is the trouble-making child. So often, children and teenagers do damage without realizing the consequences. I hope someday young people will be less selfish and learn to see the bigger picture. Revenge, self-righteousness, and deception are terrible qualities. Hopefully The Children's Hour can teach a valuable lesson.

Paulo_Clemente Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLaine) run a girl's school. Joe (James Garner) is the fiancé of Karen and keeps trying to marry her while she's putting the school ahead of their plans. When they have to punish a trouble girl she runs away and blackmailing another girl starts a lie about both teacher's.What can I say , this is a very good movie to watch, a lot of emotions, the power of a lie can destroy almost everything. Great acting , Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine give great performances but all the acting is good even the girls are very good. Great drama movie.I believe that was not an easy theme to make a movie on the 60's, Shirley said that even the director was not at ease with it, some scenes where cut, like both woman brushing each others hair. On the end you must thins how easy is to spread a lie and for most of the people to believe it.