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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical praise in 1998. The eponymous Borrowers are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, and so on) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in cinemas, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favourite. --Jeff Shannon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Unlike the superb BBC serialisation that was faithfully based on Mary Norton's book from the 50's, this film has been updated and an American TV star brought in. Unfortunately the script and plot isn't really quite as good as the original book and the out of place slapstick does reduce the tension somewhat. My son (9) and daughter (11) really liked this film, but I preferred the two BBC 'borrowers' series, first screened in 1993 and 1994 (make sure you get the two DVD set, series one and two - 6 hours of quality children's TV). The BBC series is far darker, being played straight with no slapstick and despite the Borrower's amusing antics and the witty script, it's got many quite tense moments and is all the better for it. The special effects in the film (and much of the BBC series) are actually very good - although a lot of the atmosphere in both is derived from the superb 'miniature' sets.
The BBC series scores though by being set in the original isolated 1920'ish shires countryside, about the time of Norton's childhood, in a period when children were more strictly brought up and would think nothing of keeping big secrets from the adults. This film is set in a UK town around 1956 and so seems quite modern in comparison. However, in any era the Borrower's worst fear, above even cats and rats, is to be 'seen' by a human, after which they know the human will spend all his time trying to find them again (so they will have leave and find a new home). The cast in the film are very good, although Jim Broadbent's character doesn't capture the sensitive and secretive nature of Borrower Pod as brilliantly as Ian Holm (BBC version). Also Penelope Wilson (BBC) just 'is' the timid house proud Homily. Likewise John Goodman doesn't hold a candle to the BBC's strict and rather sinister Sian Philips 'Mrs Driver', scourge of the human boy George unfortunate enough to be left in her care. It's not that the film's bad, far from it, its script and reliance on special effects just limits the actor's a little. In the films favour, it's so different it can easily be viewed as a sequel to the BBC series, and the film is certainly great fun (there's also a British A-list support cast and I particularly enjoyed Ruby Wax's cameo). The films break neck action sequences also make repeat viewing enjoyable.
If you can't decide whether to buy this film even at the knockdown price, try renting first, as the film is well worth a family view or two on a quiet winter's Sunday. Do also have a look at the BBC DVD set. Plus the original 'Borrowers' books are a good fairly easy read as for later preteens. Just a shame the BBC and the film industry didn't continue with a few more of the Borrower's books.
The BBC series scores though by being set in the original isolated 1920'ish shires countryside, about the time of Norton's childhood, in a period when children were more strictly brought up and would think nothing of keeping big secrets from the adults. This film is set in a UK town around 1956 and so seems quite modern in comparison. However, in any era the Borrower's worst fear, above even cats and rats, is to be 'seen' by a human, after which they know the human will spend all his time trying to find them again (so they will have leave and find a new home). The cast in the film are very good, although Jim Broadbent's character doesn't capture the sensitive and secretive nature of Borrower Pod as brilliantly as Ian Holm (BBC version). Also Penelope Wilson (BBC) just 'is' the timid house proud Homily. Likewise John Goodman doesn't hold a candle to the BBC's strict and rather sinister Sian Philips 'Mrs Driver', scourge of the human boy George unfortunate enough to be left in her care. It's not that the film's bad, far from it, its script and reliance on special effects just limits the actor's a little. In the films favour, it's so different it can easily be viewed as a sequel to the BBC series, and the film is certainly great fun (there's also a British A-list support cast and I particularly enjoyed Ruby Wax's cameo). The films break neck action sequences also make repeat viewing enjoyable.
If you can't decide whether to buy this film even at the knockdown price, try renting first, as the film is well worth a family view or two on a quiet winter's Sunday. Do also have a look at the BBC DVD set. Plus the original 'Borrowers' books are a good fairly easy read as for later preteens. Just a shame the BBC and the film industry didn't continue with a few more of the Borrower's books.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an amazing film, at a very good price! It's fun for all of the family, and I strongly recommend it for anyone who has a funnybone!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Most dissapointing considering my daughter could not watch it
Bought this for my 5 year old she was really excited to watch the DVD, it worked on my husbands XBOX but not in her DVD. Complete waste of money
Published 5 months ago by kelly
The Borrowers
I first saw this film when i was younger and decided to buy it on dvd the picture quality is great and there are widescreen options if you have a big tv.
Published 21 months ago by B Star
Hilarious
This movie is sooooo so good....epitome of Harry Potter movies prior. Staring Tom Felton (Draco), Jim Broadbent (slughorn) and Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley). Read more
Published 24 months ago by Tanya-Gabriella
Don't Borrow, Buy It!
A Goodman tour de force. Have the grandchildren around and introduce the little ones to the little people!
Published on 6 May 2010 by John Parsons
FUN
WEIRD AMALGAM OF UK/USA, WITH HUNDREDS OF MORRIS MINORS/TRAVELLERS ETC - EVEN A STRETCH!!!
ONLY VERY LOOSELY BASED ON MARY NORTONS BOOK, BUT WITH THE SAME CHARACTERS. Read more
ONLY VERY LOOSELY BASED ON MARY NORTONS BOOK, BUT WITH THE SAME CHARACTERS. Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by ANGE
FANTASTIC film!
This is a wonderful, lighthearted film. It has a mixture of British and American actors and a great flatulant dog! Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by H. D. Doel
A Nice Family Film!
When i saw that this film was on in the holidays i decided that i would watch it, knowing how much attention 'The borrowers' had attracted back in 1998 when it was released. Read more
Published on 27 May 2004 by no1filmaddict
Funny,captures your imagination and makes you want to be lit
This film is hysterically funny and makes you look at everything from a differrent perspective!
It basically makes you want to be a borrower! Definately worth watching.
It basically makes you want to be a borrower! Definately worth watching.
Published on 27 Nov 2001 by ondine@rehmus.com
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