The Secret Garden (1993)

I must be getting old. Was a time when my idea of a perfect movie night in would be a Hong Kong action movie, but nowadays I'm quite happy to curl up on the settee with films like this. I read the book many years ago, and always thought it would make a great film. I later found out that it HAD been adapted, of course, several times. It is a classic children's novel, after all. But this seems to be the definitive film version. Firstly, let me say, straight off that this movie is beautifully shot. Bravo Mr. Roger Deakins, one of the world's best cinematographers. In too many reviews I've read, the cinematography is mentioned almost as an afterthought. From hot, dusty India to cold, grey England, this film looks wonderful. The three young leads are nothing special, it has to be said. But they are likable, or at least (in the case of Mary and Colin) become likable as the story progresses. And Maggie Smith - does this woman ever age? To be fair, she is the only actress I recognised. Chirpy young Martha and grizzled old Ben Weatherstaff are just how I pictured them, although their strong Yorkshire accents have been considerably softened. I won't spoil the ending for the very few people who don't know it, but suffice to say it is genuinely moving and made me smile. I've watched this film three times since I bought it last year, which for me is pretty good. I can't rate it as a classic despite its pedigree, but there are worse ways to spend an hour and a half.

A young child is sent from a far country to live with a relative in a gloomy old aristocratic pile. But there are dark mysteries concerning both the estate and the relative. In the course of solving them, the child brings a new understanding to both herself and her relative.From this outline of the story of The Secret Garden, it should be clear how similar it is to the better known book and film Little Lord Fauntleroy. Both are based on the immensely popular 19th century young people's books by British-American author Frances Hodgson Burnett, and both have been the subject of numerous theatrical, film, and television versions. Of the half dozen or so film/TV treatments, many feel that this 1949 version with Margaret O'Brien, Herbert Marshall, Dean Stockwell, and Elsa Lanchester is the best. The acting is very good to excellent, and the atmosphere of the old house with its ruined garden effectively conveyed. The screenplay is co-authored by Robert Ardrey, who later became well known as a popular science author for such works as African Genesis. An interesting feature of the film from a cinematic viewpoint is the sudden switch from black and white to color (as was done famously in The Wizard of Oz) to highlight the happier scenes.Though the film, like the book, is ostensibly for young people, it's one that can equally be enjoyed by adults. Of course it's sentimental, but this is the type of film where the sentimentality is the whole point: viewers who dislike sentimentality shouldn't be watching it.

I finally got an HBO subscription so now have many films at my disposal (I've seen most anyways but still). I also had this film on DVD lying around somewhere but finally decided to watch it. I wasn't very clear on what the film was about beforehand but the premise sounded like the family friendly fantastical tale that could be worth the watch.The Secret Garden is about a spoiled girl who lives in India until her parents untimely death. She is then relocated to her uncles mansion where she discovers she has a recluse cousin (who is hidden away) who is sealed off because he is ill and can't walk. They both travel out to a secret garden which seems to improve his health mysteriously. Along the way, the two form a connection despite initially butting heads. The film is based off the novel of the same name.The verdict is that this film makes for an enjoyable time. Its an older film so the film could use some digital enhancing to make some of the scenes more vibrant (ahem Blu-Ray treatment). The film has the charm of 90s children fantasy films that movies of today cannot really recreate. While thee child acting is not great and the accents (especially of the child maid) are horrible its forgivable when you think of the films market. The film's fantastical elements are undertold as it relies on the magic of the garden and placing faith in its spiritual abilities without actually seeing much on screen, which is fine.The film isn't an absolute must watch by any sense, nor is it something that many people will have heard of. It is however, a harmless film that captures a bit of the essence of children's films of the past while establishing inspiration amongst curious kids as they journey into something fantastical together. There's plenty of cute animals and naturalistic shots for those who would appreciate that sort of thing anymore. Its not a film that would be successful today because of its simplistic presentation and understated visuals, but its solid.7/10

After losing her self-indulging parents in an earthquake, a bitter young girl named Mary Lennox is sent to live in England with her reclusive uncle.Some have said his film seems like a precursor or inspiration for Harry Potter. Along with "Troll", I can definitely see it. Of course, the two are wildly different, but there are some aspects of it being (British) children in a mystical environment. One cannot help but notice the appearance of Maggie Smith.While I was not as crazy about this movie as some people are, it definitely has charm and I can see it being really fun for kids.