The Chalk Garden

"A girl on the verge of womanhood... a woman on the edge of loneliness... both suspicious of affection, yet starved for love."

1964 1h 45m EN

👍

7.2

SOLID

★7.2TMDB · 54

DramaMystery

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The peculiar antics of Laurel, an emotionally troubled young girl, are the focus of The Chalk Garden – a stately household drama set on the cliffs of the English south coast. Edith Evans plays a matriarchal grandmother who, in raising her granddaughter, has neglected her other love – a barren chalk garden. Mayhem ensues as Laurel's behavior frightens away a succession of governesses until an enigmatic one is hired in spite of her mysterious references. She skillfully sets about tending to the girl's reckless emotions and the pitifully failed garden.

“A girl on the verge of womanhood... a woman on the edge of loneliness... both suspicious of affection, yet starved for love.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Deborah Kerr
Miss Madrigal
Hayley Mills
Laurel
John Mills
Maitland
Edith Evans
Mrs. St. Maugham
Felix Aylmer
Judge McWhirrey
Elizabeth Sellars
Olivia
Lally Bowers
Anna
Toke Townley
Shop Clerk

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Ronald Neame
Writers: Enid Bagnold, John Michael Hayes
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

62 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Ronald Neame, shot by Arthur Ibbetson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Original score by Malcolm Arnold. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jack Harris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Deborah Kerr and Hayley Mills and John Mills carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "A girl on the verge of womanhood... a woman on the edge of loneliness... both suspicious of affection, yet starved for love.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Ronald Neame directs. Arthur Ibbetson behind the camera. Malcolm Arnold scores. Jack Harris cuts. Produced in United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

162 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
2International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
3Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
4Directed by Ronald Neame, shot by Arthur Ibbetson. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Malcolm Arnold. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Jack Harris shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Deborah Kerr and Hayley Mills and John Mills carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "A girl on the verge of womanhood... a woman on the edge of loneliness... both suspicious of affection, yet starved for love.".
9IMDB entry: tt0057933 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 54 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
11Classified under 12 themes, including "adolescence", "judge", "grandparent grandchild relationship", "family relationships".