The Children's Hour

  • 1961
  • NR
  • 108m
movieMx RATING
7.7/10388
VERDICT
SUPER HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Children's Hour Review

Last updated: January 26, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 26, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Children's Hour (1961) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Children's Hour features a noteworthy lineup led by Shirley MacLaine . Supported by the likes of Audrey Hepburn and James Garner , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: The lead actors exhibit a remarkable range, navigating the emotional peaks and valleys of their respective characters with a precision that makes every motivation feel earned.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Children's Hour (1961) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.7/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.

Result: SUPER HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Children's Hour stands as a SUPER HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Children's Hour

Quick Plot Summary: The Children's Hour is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Children's Hour

Ending Breakdown: The Children's Hour resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes in a way that feels organic to the story.

The final moments of The Children's Hour demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Children's Hour?

Highly Recommended For:

  • Fans of Drama cinema looking for quality storytelling
  • Viewers who appreciate emotionally resonant character studies and meaningful themes
  • Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises

Box Office Collection: The Children's Hour

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $3.6M
Worldwide Gross $3.0M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Children's Hour Budget

The estimated production budget for The Children's Hour is $3.6M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Children's Hour

All Cast & Crew →
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaineMartha Dobie
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey HepburnKaren Wright
James Garner
James GarnerJoe Cardin
Miriam Hopkins
Miriam HopkinsLily Mortar
Fay Bainter
Fay BainterAmelia Tilford
Karen Balkin
Karen BalkinMary Tilford
Veronica Cartwright
Veronica CartwrightRosalie Wells
Sally Brophy
Sally BrophyMrs. Wells
William Mims
William MimsMr. Burton
Jered Barclay
Jered BarclayGrocery Boy (uncredited)
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Where to Watch The Children's Hour Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

fuboTVfuboTV
MGM+ Amazon ChannelMGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium ChannelMGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
Criterion ChannelCriterion Channel
MGM PlusMGM Plus
PhiloPhilo
ScreenPix Apple TV ChannelScreenPix Apple TV Channel
ScreenPix Amazon Channel ScreenPix Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

The Children's Hour Parents Guide & Age Rating

1961 Advisory
NR

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Children's Hour age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Children's Hour is rated NR.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Children's Hour is 108 minutes (1h 48m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Children's Hour is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1961 cinematic calendar.

SUPER HIT
Official movieMx status for The Children's Hour. Rating: 7.7/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Children's Hour worth watching?

The Children's Hour is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.7/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Children's Hour parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Children's Hour identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Children's Hour?

The total duration of The Children's Hour is 108 minutes, which is approximately 1h 48m long.

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How The Children's Hour Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Children's Hour

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.7
The Children's Hour
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