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The Chalk Garden

1964·Movie
1h 45min
60
DecentGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Chalk Garden fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, a touch of humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace4
  • Adrenaline3

Heart

Cathartic and moving

Much of it is about family.

  • Catharsis8
  • Family Dynamics8
  • Pathos7

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay6
  • Situational Comedy3
  • Satire & Parody3

World

Family, mystery, and the mind

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and dialogue

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Editing7
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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

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.
Gothic DramaDysfunctional FamilyEmotional TurmoilStrong PerformancesIntriguing MysteryCharacter-Driven NarrativeSocial CommentaryBritish Setting

Crew

Directed by:
Produced by:
Composed by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Chalk Garden

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Chalk Garden legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Chalk Garden worth watching?

60
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 61/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 71%, and Metacritic 61). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is The Chalk Garden?

1 h 45 min

The Chalk Garden runs 1 h 45 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Chalk Garden?

Critics66
Audiences75

Not quite. Audiences rate The Chalk Garden higher (75) than critics (66). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

What language is The Chalk Garden in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Chalk Garden?

2ESUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Chalk Garden in 2 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.