The Children's Hour
A devastating classic drama about two boarding-school headmistresses whose friendship and livelihood are shattered by a malicious accusation of lesbianism.
Overview
A powerful exploration of friendship and betrayal that reveals the fragility of reputations.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- melancholic
- austere
- intimate
- classic cinema evening
- social issue film discussion
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine's emotionally rich complementary performances, while finding the film's melodrama uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mary Tilford's lie triggers the parents' withdrawal, legal defeat, and the collapse of Karen and Martha's lives.
The school's survival and the women's relationships are governed by early-1960s fear of lesbian identity and public scandal.
Karen and Martha's lifelong friendship and shared school are placed under sustained attack by gossip and institutional condemnation.
The black-and-white cinematography and controlled classic-Hollywood staging intensify the film's austere atmosphere of judgment.
Films like The Children's Hour, and why
Victim
shared themes of social repression, homophobia, and devastating rumor within a serious character drama
Carol
shared focus on female friendship, oppressive social judgment, and lgbtq+ identity in a restrained drama
The Children's Hour
shared themes of taboo desire, institutional prejudice, and tragic emotional consequences
The L-Shaped Room
shared classic melodramatic treatment of scandal, reputation, and social condemnation
Movie Details
- Director
- William Wyler
- Release Date
- 1961-12-19
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (426)
Cast
- Audrey Hepburn
- Shirley MacLaine
- James Garner
- Miriam Hopkins
- Fay Bainter
- Karen Balkin
- Veronica Cartwright
- Mimi Gibson
- Debbie Moldow
- Diane Mountford
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Children's Hour about?
- A devastating classic drama about two boarding-school headmistresses whose friendship and livelihood are shattered by a malicious accusation of lesbianism.
- What is The Children's Hour like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Children's Hour as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Children's Hour violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Children's Hour as mild.
- What did critics think of The Children's Hour?
- Critics broadly praised Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine's emotionally rich complementary performances, while finding the film's melodrama uneven.
- Which films are like The Children's Hour?
- Films with a similar feel include Victim, Carol, The Children's Hour, and The L-Shaped Room.
- How long is The Children's Hour?
- The Children's Hour runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Children's Hour?
- In United States, The Children's Hour streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
