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From Amazon.co.uk
After the critical success of 1993's The Secret Garden, Warner Bros returned to the novels of Frances Hodgson Burnett to create this 1995 adaptation of A Little Princess, which instantly ranked with The Secret Garden as one of the finest children's films of the 1990s. Neither film was a huge box-office success, but their quality speaks for itself, and A Little Princess has all the ingredients of a timeless classic. A marvel of production design, the film features lavish sets built almost entirely on a studio backlot in Burbank, California. The story opens in New York just before the outbreak of World War I, when young Sara (Liesel Matthews) is enrolled in private boarding school while her father goes off to war. Under the domineering scrutiny of the school's wicked headmistress, Miss Minchen (Eleanor Bron), Sara quickly becomes popular with her schoolmates, but fate intervenes and she soon faces a stern reversal of fortune, resorting to wild flights of fancy to cope with an unexpectedly harsh reality. Rather than label her fanciful tales as escapist fantasy, A Little Princess actively encourages a child's power of imagination--a power that can be used to learn, grow, and adapt to a world that is often cruel and difficult. It's also one of the most visually beautiful films of the 90s and creates a fully detailed world within the boarding school--a place where imagination is vital to survival. A first-class production in every respect, this is one family film that should (if it's not too stuffy to say it) be considered required viewing for parents and kids alike. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
A Little Princess - DVD
Children's Classic
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By kathryn
Format:VHS Tape
Some of the criticisms that have been made of this film in other reviews are that it is mushy and sentimental. I can hardly disagree with that - only say that I don't think it is TOO sentimental. The other criticism is that the plot is changed, and once again, while I can't deny this, I want to defend it.
On the change of setting: I'm British, and do occasionally get irritated with Americanisation, but in this film the changed setting really didn't annoy me (partly, I suppose, because I knew from experience what a dog's dinner American productions make of English settings). The plot was changed, and it can be seen as a sanitising - the ending is happier in the film than in the book. Ordinarily this would have irritated me, but I found the ending handled so well that I didn't care. It may verge on the sentimental, but the moment when Sarah and her father are reunited is genuinely moving.
Other things have clearly changed since the original in line with changing times. The Indian characters are looked at completely differently; Becky, the serving-girl, is black. These things do not interfere - in fact, I really liked the Indian themes throughout the film.
I also preferred Sarah's relationship with Becky in the film. While in the book the author insists the girls are on the same level, and as good as each other, that doesn't seem half so true as in the film.
The film is well structured and paced, nicely shot and has satisfying dialogue and human characters (Sarah's saintliness and Miss. Minchin's wickedness are toned down a bit) I think the thing that sets this film apart from me is the beautifully handled juxtaposition of the exotic and the dreary - the sumptuous Indian colours of Sarah's former life among the New York streets.
40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Shame to see a good movie unreviewed. I've watched this with my daughter (5) twice now, and we both enjoy it. The film has a child's requirements (child's point of view, wicked adult, use of imagination, etc) and from an adult viewpoint, I enjoy some of the side issues; such as, the relationship between the girls life in India and her experiences in school, or how a story of an indian prince that she relates is juxtaposed with her father's experiences in the trenches.
Some scenes border on magical, all is well-photographed. The story is a trifle over-sentimental, but that's Burnett for you. It's also a little over-dramatized - but that's Hollywood for you ...
All in all, a refreshing change from Disney's childhood.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By mortepervita
Format:DVD
This is one of my all time favorite movies. Great story, great acting, great ending. I have also read the book and i think I'll take this heart-wrenching greatly orchestrated ending over the oh yeah your fortunes doubled no go feed poor kids ending of the book. I loved Sara and she was cute, not annoying. One thing that I thought was great about this version was that in a movie about people who came from India they actually have a man from India in it. I also think that making Becky black seemed wierd because of the way she was depicted in the novel, at first, but helped to make the movie better the the novel ever was. Loved it Loved it Loved it! Great movie for kids (especially girls although male children seem to like it too) and for adults and you will probably cry, well unless you are cold hearted.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing film!
Myself and my 5 year old daughter absolutely love watching this film! It is full of fantasy and like all princess films has a very happy ending!
Published 1 day ago by Xxmummy2008xx
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good value
Product arrived very promptly, well packaged and was very good value. This new review system by amazon is a pain though and puts me off giving feedback
Published 3 days ago by C. R. White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
It came within a 2 days so delivery was amazing the film it's self was really good quite emotional since they moved to India then her dad died its emotional
Published 1 month ago by Katie
5.0 out of 5 stars
My 6 year old loved this
I have not watched it but my 6 year old tells me that is it a beautiful film and watched it twice in a row. She wants another film like this- so a strong recommendation!
Published 1 month ago by CharleyBear
5.0 out of 5 stars
great family movie
Very good family movie . My 12yrs old and 8yrs old really loved it. What a great story we loved it
Published 2 months ago by Nuala
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gran children are waiting for the opportunity to watch it.
I haven't shown it yet but look forward to having them around. I am sure they will enjoy watching it.
Published 2 months ago by Pip Hosier
4.0 out of 5 stars
A LITTLE PRINCESS REVIEW
VERY NICE FILM, GOOD TO WATCH....THANKS... LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THE NEXT ONE. WILL ORDER SOME MORE SOON THANKS, CHEERS
Published 2 months ago by christine keith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
A classic film which I bought to replace my video version. My girls all love this film, although when younger didn't like the bit in the war (her dad) Another feel good film
Published 2 months ago by archi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
My children loved it 20 years ago and my little nice and nephew love it now. It was a very much appreciate Christmas gift for them.
Published 3 months ago by marichiara
4.0 out of 5 stars
good
bught this for my girlfriend she's been going on about it for ages, really good film for kids:)
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Published 3 months ago by D. Graves
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