Review of The Bad Seed (1956) by Nicholas B — 21 Feb 2011

The Bad Seed is a frightening tale about the nature of evil that can begin anywhere in anyone. Especially in a child. Though this movie is nothing compared to today's standards, it got a lot of viewer's attention when it was released.

Based on the play, (which was based on the book. All of the same name.) The Bad Seed begins with a normal (but really rich) American family. The father goes away for military duty, leaving his wife to take care of their daughter, Rhoda. Rhoda is the most mature and polite child you'll ever see. But your opinion of her will change when the mother suspects Rhoda of being involved with the death of a local boy. This movie is creepy in an Omen sort of way, but very undertoned and over preformed. Though the 3 leading actresses earned Oscar nominations, their preformances, as well as the unnatural revealing of the story through the script, is all over the top and a bit cheesy to watch at times. Though this movie has it's moments that will keep you interested, (and even more possible endings than Return of the King) still, this American movie isn't a shocker because it runs way to slowly.

I think partial reasons why this movie isn't appealing today is bacause of the stale directing. This is a story based on a play, and it makes no effort to make it look like it was any different than the play itself. The look of the house where most of the movie takes place looks well made, and there's some good lighting in the house. But besides that, the capturing of the scenes don't look that impressive, even for it's time, and the pacing of the movie is long and drives away from the suspence. But one thing I did like about this movie was the music score in the background that rarely seemed to stop, but it captured a very nice mood.

Though The Bad Seed is a creepy thriller that seemes to me to be inspirational for other thiller movies of it's kind, this is no great American classic. The directing isn't well planned and the writing doesn't feel naturally laid out. And because of the times it was Hollywood rule that ordered the original ending to be changed. This movie is worth a look because of it's plot, but isn't as good as most killer children movies.