List Price: $14.99Amazon.com's Price: $8.49 You Save: $6.50 (43%)as of 03/11/2010 17:45 EST
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Image Entertainment
EAN: 9780780030008
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
ISBN: 0780030001
Label: Homevision
Languages: EnglishOriginal LanguageDolby Digital 2.0 StereoEnglishSubtitled
Manufacturer: Homevision
MPN: PMIDSEC140D
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Homevision
Region Code: 1
Release Date: July 12, 2005
Running Time: 210 minutes
Studio: Homevision
Theatrical Release Date: January 01, 1984
Related Items:
Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 03/06/2007 Run time: 210 minutes
Amazon.com:
Though there are several notable film adaptations of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's story about an orphan girl and a bedridden boy, this 1975 BBC rendition is among the most acclaimed for its understated British elegance, superb performances, and faithful adherence to the book's essence. Sarah Hollis Andrews plays Mary Lennox, a spoiled, neglected child living in 19th century India who is suddenly orphaned after an outbreak of cholera. She is sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, in his estate on the Yorkshire moors of England. Thus begins Mary's new life at Misselthwaite Manor, and soon, the rough edges of her contrary nature begin to soften through the kindness of house servants--especially Martha (Jacqueline Hoyle)--and the discovery of a beautiful, hidden garden. The manor contains another mystery, Craven's allegedly crippled son, Colin, bedridden for years and as feisty as Mary. When the cousins finally meet, their cantankerous spirits clash before a friendship ensues, thanks to the magical touch of Dickon (Andrew Harrison). The same enchantment that turns a colorless garden into an infusion of brilliant hues works to make a boy walk and a family heal. This version (seven 30-minute episodes) is more kid-friendly than its 1993 counterpart (which took lavish dramatic license) and is so authentic to the original story that much of the script is verbatim from the book—a point literary purists will cheer--not to mention the deliciously flawless Yorkshire accents. (Ages 8 and older) --Lynn Gibson
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
I rented this movie, but it might be worth purchasing the DVD if you really like it. There's not much technology in this BBC TV version, but it is a very close adaptation of the story. The acting, although a little stilted at the beginning, gets better later on, and the actors have very realistic accents for the time and place. The outdoor scenes look quite authentic even though they were filmed in Scotland instead of England, where the story is set. I liked the appearance of the English robin throughout the program. It's quite different from our American bird, and it gave the original story a "garden" atmosphere. Some of garden scenes looked a bit artificial, which is difficult to understand since most of this production was quite natural in appearance. But elsewhere there's plenty of real flora and fauna to keep you believing you're in a botanical place. Overall, this BBC television version is very good in faithfulness to the original book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It should be enjoyed as a classic by both children and adults.
Rating:  -
This 1975 BBC adaptation is the best and most loyal adaptation of the children's classic "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. At approximately 210 minutes, this adaptation is the only one that does the novel justice.
I have also viewed two other adaptations of "The Secret Garden." Neither adaptation does the novel justice. Yet, in my opinion the 1987 adaptation by Hallmark is better than the 1993 Warner adaptation. Both the Hallmark and Warner adaptation are about 100 minutes.
Below I compare and contrast the three color adaptations.
1. The 1975 adaptation BBC
This adaptation is very low budgeted, and it shows in the picture quality, which is painful even if you are used to BBC 4.3 aspect ratio films. This said, the film is QUITE GOOD in every other way if loyalty in plot is important to you. For example, Mr. Archibald Craven, Ben W., Martha, Martha's mother, etc. are given larger roles in this adaptation than in the 1987 and 1993 adaptations. Furthermore, a considerably amount of the dialogue is taken directly from the novel. Therefore, this adaptation is much less 'sound bites' and allows for the development of Mary, Dickon, and Collin's characters.
The acting is also considerably better than the 1987 adaptation and better than the 1993 adaptation. [Unfortunately, with child actors of probably 10 or 11 years of age who have memorize a large amount of script, errors will be evident.]
Yet, the 1975 adaptation is the best adaptation in my opinion. It is neither too mystical (1993) nor too gothic (1987). I just is the story of a family and a garden that brings them together.
I rated this adaptation five starts because of the script and acting - NOT BECAUSE OF THE PICTURE QUALITY, which would have to be rated 1 star or two at most.
2. The 1987 adaptation Hallmark
Although I know many individuals despise this adaptation, I enjoyed it for a change. Yes, the acting is not perfect and the accents are horrible. Yes, the ending is pathetic and quite changed from the novel. Yes, the mystical Dickon (as an adult) dies in World War I. Yet, when one considers what the film was trying to achieve (i.e. change the theme from a children's story to a social critique of problems in society), it does an effective job. The film is a little too gothic (in the Victorian literature definition -i.e. 'ghosts' and long, dark corridors), yet I did not think the gothic harmed the story but rather created a sense of anticipation.
Again, if you want a loyal adaptation, I would urge the the 1975 adaptation. However, if you are tired of watching the 1975 adaptation and want to see a change, this 1987 adaptation is a better choice than the 1993 adaptation.
3. The 1993 adaptation Time Warner
I disliked this adaptation. My first problem was that Mary's parents were killed in an earthquake rather than a plague. (I am not certain what this proved?). Secondly, the mystical music was annoying as were the inappropriate accents - although of the two, I could tolerate the poor accents much more than the poor music.
Additionally, other scenes were also altered. For example, Mary finds the key to the garden in her deceased aunt's bedroom in the shut up wing of the Manor. In the 1975 adaptation (and I think the 1987 adaptation also), Mary finds the key buried with some help from a robin. However, the robin does show Mary where the door to the garden is located.
Unfortunately, the other problem I have with this film is that it is centered almost exclusively on Mary's character. Where the 1975 adaptation provides other characters (ex: Martha, Dr. Craven, Sir Archibald Craven, and Martha's mother have with numerous scenes in which Mary does not appear.) In the Warner adaptation, Mary is the focus of nearly every scene.
Also, Collin's character was considerably altered into less dictatorial that in the novel the other film adaptations. In fact, at times, Collin appears very childish and timid - terrified of dying and of Mrs. Medlock (rather than bossing Mrs. Medlock, his nurse, and everyone else around). Why Mrs. Medlock and the whole staff of of the Manor had to wear masks when around Collin, I have not a clue? (I forget if everyone wearing a mask was in the novel or not, but it makes no sense in this film adaptation.)
However, the film does have some positives. The Manor house is considerably larger than in the 1975 adaptation and larger than the 1987 adaptation, and therefore, it becomes more believable that Mary could have mistaken Collin's crying for the wind, rather than know outrightly that it was someone crying.
Rating: -
This is the only good film adaptation of Francis Hodgson Burnett's book available, and it's not perfect. It has glaring continuity and filmography flaws, but if you are a fan of the book, you won't care.
The photography is absolutely gorgeous almost throughout the film. The locations are breathtaking. The costuming is brilliant, and very authentic. The acting is outstanding. The writing could be improved upon, but it is absolutely faithful to the original story.
The photography, costuming and casting are so good that many scenes look like Tasha Tudor illustrations come to life. The little actors that portray Mary and Collin exactly fit their literary descriptions. Ben Weatherstaff, Mrs. Medlock and Dickon look and speak exactly as they should. Their thick Yorkshire accents may put some viewers off, but many others will enjoy these lilting voices.
The producers needed more money. They did an incredibly good job with what they had; the production values are very high, yet the film looks low budget, especially to American eyes. Don't expect this to look like a Disney movie. That said, you won't find a better adaptation. Other versions concentrate on the fairy tale aspect of the story and thereby lose the gritty authenticity of it's actual setting, and, regretably, of the Yorkshire characters that are so important to the original story.
Rating: -
I bought a book at a yard sale , and then I wanted to get the movie. It is more or less a child's book, but it kept me reading until the finish. A very good book for childern or adults......the book arrived in very good condition
Rating: -
Having read "The Secret Garden" as a child, I watched the PBS version in the 1970's, and was totally entertained by all of the episodes. I owned a video tape of the theatrical version of this production. The theatrical version was good, but left out rich details of the story. With this DVD, the complete series is available to those who remember watching it on television, and for those who wish to see a version closer to the book.
You get more background on Susan Sowerby, and you see her close relationship with Mrs. Medlock. There is also more interaction among Mary Lennox, her cousin Colin Craven, Dickon Sowerby, and Martha Sowerby. There is more of the book in this release.
It also presents the story as it was shown on television -- opening and closing credits, theme music. The color of the production then, especially the outdoors scenes was very muted, but some of the indoor scenes have gained more color. The muted color palette doesn't diminish the production, but gives it the feel of watching illustrations from a book. It is totally enjoyable. Highly recommended.
|
