The Secret Garden
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Movie Reviews of The Secret Garden
Movie Review: the power of promotion
Summary: 2 Stars
It is a shame that so many people have been misled into buying this movie with claims that it is the best movie version of the book (although it may have been when this movie came out). Now, however, the best movie version of the book is in fact the BBC version, which has just been released on DVD. It is three and a half hours long and dramatizes the whole book. The scenery is authentic, the accents are authentic, the characters and dialogue are literally taken from the book. More important, it is a moving, touching version that will inspire you and your children. It is a treasure.
The present version is promoted mainly with claims that the filmmaker is a great filmmaker. Have you seen any of those "great" films, like Europa, Europa or Olivier Olivier? They are typical of European films, depressed and depressing with neurotic characters, etc. The filmmaker has approached The Secret Garden by throwing out all the characters from the book and replacing them with her own brand of neurotic characters. See it if this is what you like, but don't call it great, just say, "I like this kind of thing." But beware of letting your children see it, unless you want to turn them into neurotic (or at least "problem") children. (See the review further down where a mother describes the effects of this movie on her little girl.)
Botton line: Don't be misled into buying this movie; and if you've already bought it, buy the BBC version anyway. You'll never watch this version again.
Movie Review: Loved it! Got a question for you.
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm a 37 year old guy who will watch Hellraiser and listen to Front 242 and then curl up and get a little teary with The Secret Garden (I'm a Gemini of course). I love the kids in this movie, Maggie Smith (boy, does she look familiar!), and Lord Craven (John Lynch) is earnest and touching without being saccharine.
I found the landscape photography visually intriguing and beautiful. What interested me most was the rather sudden transition from mature forest and green lawn to purple and red moorland. I haven't read the book but I can surmise that the estate is in the middle of the moors and is an "oasis" of woodland and greenery-kind of like Hound of the Baskervilles, which I *have* read. The main house is incredibly intriguing, inside and outside, and is luxuriantly decorated [...].
My question is where was the movie filmed? In Hollywood (horribile dictu) or on a genuine estate in some windswept moorland? Lemme know.
Movie Review: Cultivate your own "garden"
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is visually stunning and the children are remarkably agile actors. I loved the book as a child and have seen various versions of the story including one for stage. This one is by far the best. All the same I recommend that you read your kids the book before showing them the movie.Movie Review: An enjoyable movie
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased The Secret Garden after reading the book. The movie was well made even though it deviated from parts in the book i.e. how the key was found and character interaction.
It was overall great. A good book and movie for families looking for clean, appropriate viewing material. The children actors and actresses did very well. The scenery and sets were beautiful. I recommend this movie to everyone.
Movie Review: The Secret Garden - A quiet classic
Summary: 5 Stars
We had the video but I needed to get the DVD of this timeless classic. The book was one of those classics that made an impression on me as a child. This film did the same to me as an adult.
It is an endearing and fun adventure for young and old and may even get many children back to the book which is a classic.
It is wonderful to still have films that tell a story and do not sell a product (as with Walt Disney).