The Children's Hour
United Artists | Release Date: December 19, 1961 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
49
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
5
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, in the leading roles, beautifully complement each other. Hepburn’s soft sensitivity, mar- velous projection and emotional understatement result in a memorable portrayal. MacLaine’s enactment is almost equally rich in depth and substance. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The performances range from adequate (Balkin's) to exquisite (MacLaine's), and the movie broke new ground for 1961. These days the story wouldn't be all that controversial, but in 1934, when the play was first presented, it dealt with a different set of mores. Read full review
50
Austin ChronicleMarjorie Baumgarten
Despite wonderful performances from all the actors, Wyler’s attempt to retell the story in a more forthright manner still seems to pussyfoot timidly around the issues. Read full review
50
The New YorkerPauline Kael
Too self-conscious, though; the cinematography, by Franz Planer, may sometimes evoke Balthus, but the atmosphere is heavy and lugubrious.
50
USA TodayMike Clark
We never get the scenes we really want to see, like the teacher-initiated slander trial or their snotty accuser's comeuppance. Instead, we get too many strained conversations. [21 Dec 1990, p.3D]
50
Chicago ReaderDave Kehr
Miriam Hopkins, of the original cast, is around to lend a sense of continuity to the remake, but Wyler still seems unable to confront the material. This is Mature, Adult drama, and hence something of a bore. Read full review
40
The New York TimesBosley Crowther
It is hard to believe that Lillian Hellman's famous stage play, The Children's Hour, could have aged into such a cultural antique in the course of three decades as it looks in the new film version. Read full review
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