Chilling performance by Patty McCormack

THE BAD SEED is a black-and-white film that was probably very frightening when it was made, dealing as it does with an angelic-looking but homicidal child. Some modern audiences, jaded by the plethora of bloody evil-child movies, may not find it at all scary, due to the complete absence of onscreen violence and gore. But in a way this makes it even scarier, because child actress Patty McCormack's performance is chilling. Her character is pure evil, yet can put on a convincingly charming face. McCormack is far more effective than, say, the creepy boy in THE OMEN or the kids in CHILDREN OF THE CORN. THE BAD SEED is based on a play, and many of the performances are very theatrical. Few people in real life gesture and speak as dramatically as they do in this film. However, if you enjoy going to plays, this won't bother you. It's almost like watching a live performance, complete with the cast appearing for curtain calls at the end.

A real thriller!

I saw this movie when I was just a kid back in the mid 60's. My sister saw it with me and ever since would say that I had "that Bad Seed look in my eye" if she thought I was up to no good. I'm sure we were too young to see this movie then, it's probably a good idea not to let your kids under the age of 12 see it.
My sister's birthday is coming up (her 50th) and since this movie was made in the year she was born (1956), I thought it a good idea to buy it for her to remind her of..."good times". ;)
The Bad Seed is a thriller, Alfred Hitchcock"ish", full of suspense and surprises. Patty McCormack, the child actor, was very convincing. If you like to watch a movie while sitting on the edge of your seat, then watch this one.

The best thriller b/w classic movie ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M SO INTO OLD CLASSIC MOVIES FOR THE SIMPLE FACT THAT BACK IN THE DAY IN MY OPINION IS WHEN ACTING WAS THE BEST...CUSING,NUDITY,AND SEXUAL CONTENT WAS NOT IN THE OLD CLASSIC MOVIES...IF YOU NOTICE MOST MOVIES THAT EXCLUDE NUDITY,CUSING,AND SEXUAL CONTENT ARE SOME OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER SEEN. HAVING SAID THAT THE BAD SEED IS A CLASSIC...HOWEVER WHEN YOU WATCH IT YOU REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS MADE 60 YEARS AGO....IN THE MOVIE THEY DON'T USE ANY SPECIAL TYPE OF LINGO..THE CHARACTERS USE SOME OF THE PHRASES THAT WE USE TODAY...I LOVE THE HARD WORK AND EFFORT THAT EVERYONE INVOLVED PUT INTO THIS MOVIE...THE LITTLE GIRL RHODA IS THE BEST ACTRESS OF ALL ON THE SET...NOT TO DISCREDIT THE OTHERS, BUT IF I HAD TO CHOOSE...THERE ALL AWESOME..I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BUY THIS DVD AGAIN...I THINK I WATCHED THIS MOVIE SO MANY TIMES THAT IT BEGAIN TO NATURALLY SKIP..HA..HA..ANYWAY THIS MOVIE IS A MUST HAVE AND IF YOU BUY IT I PROMISE YOU..YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT AT ALL...YOU WILL TO WATCH IT OVER AND OVER...ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!​!!!

The Bad Seed

I purchased the video because I am involved in the production of the play "The Bad Seed". This movie is still as terrifying as I remembered when seeing it as a child. Of all movies that have a play as their root, this one follows the play closer than any other I have seen. The only difference is the ending which was changed to satisfy the powers of the studio. The movie is done in a fashion you would expect to see on a stage which made it even more interesting for me. A very well done production that I would recommend to anyone.

The Bad Seed

This is a classic suspense thriller. I watched it when I was young and it scared me that a little girl could be so evil. It makes you wonder just what we inherit genetically and what we learn from our environment. It was well made for its time. Didn't need blood and gore to keep you enthralled in the movie. I highly recommend it. It is an excellent movie, with great actors. I'd been looking for this movie on DVD for awhile. Happy to have it in my collection of classics.