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Amazon.co.uk Review
Tom's Midnight Garden is a charming adaptation of Philippa Pearce's children's story. It's the 1950s, and young Tom Long (Anthony Way) is sent to stay at the house of an Aunt (Greta Scacchi) and Uncle (James Wilby) while his brother is poorly. All seems drearily disciplined until the downstairs grandfather clock strikes 13, and Tom discovers a secret garden of enormous size. There he meets a girl named Hatty (Florence Hoath), who seems to be both a part of and the answer to the magical mystery. Through the changing seasons the garden ages, and so does Hatty. Eventually all is revealed: the importance of a tree struck by lightning, the reclusive landlady in the attic (Joan Plowright), and the present-day setting of the film's opening with a grown-up Tom watching the house being torn down. Some amusing computer trickery allows for the redecoration of the house each time Tom travels in time, and also allows him to pass through solid objects in supernatural fashion. All of which makes the movie a visual feast for children. Although adults will think it rather stiffly directed, the poignant tale about what happens to memories and friendships as we grow old shines through, helped immensely by composer Debbie Wiseman's luminous music score. --Paul Tonks
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Young Tom Long is forced to stay with his kindly Aunt and Uncle while his brother recovers from a bout of the measles. At their flat, he is disappointed to find there is no garden to play in; but his disappointment turns to wonder when he discovers a magical garden which only appears at night when an old grandfather clock strikes thirteen. His nightly excursions to this beautiful garden become even more interesting when he realises that the people he meets cannot see him - except one young girl named Hattie. ...Tom's Midnight Garden (1999) ( Tom's Mid night Garden )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
We've just watched this magical film and enjoyed every minute that it had to offer. We both enjoy the time travel tales, but this takes it one step further and links it to the present and the future as well.
We may not be children, but I do have 4 of my own and know without a doubt that they were watching it and, though their ages range from 19 to 9, loved every minute as well. The way that all of the time lines are linked and tied together at the end is well thought. You can put yourself in the boy's shoes and know that given the chance you would have acted in the same way.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This video is disappointing. The film is general is very inferior to the book. If you enjoyed or at least liked the film, go and READ THE BOOK. It is vastly better than this - the film is dull and it feels rushed - one scene seems to hurtle through to another - this is a beautiful story and it really feels like it's over before it's begun. The cinematography is very nicely done but the finer points of the plot seem to be overlooked. If you can, try to watch the BBC children's adaption of this - it's vastly superior.
22 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Sadly, the younger actors speak as if they're reading from a script. This doesn't have to happen, look at ET and the film of The Secret Garden, for really spontaneous speaking. The boy playing Tom tries hard but is simply too old for the part. He refers to himself as a "little boy" who wants to "play" in the garden, but he has a deep voice, is just about as tall as the older actors, and looks a little strange skipping around the garden in his pyjamas. The score is rather intrusive too, swelling up when you want to concentrate on the words, like when Tom meets the Hatty as an old lady. I was bemused to see extra bits tagged onto the story featuring Tom as a man in a suit working in the big city, living in a quaint cottage with supportive wife and child. Not sure of the purpose of this.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
pleasure to deal with
My DVD was received quickly, much faster than I expected. Item was as described and customer service is excellent. Happy customer:)
Published 4 months ago by kimmibon
Let down by poor male lead
In 1958, Philippa Pearce's novel "Tom's Midnight Garden" was released to great acclaim, winning the the Carnegie Medal. Read more
Published 5 months ago by BPR
Tom.s Midnight Garden
This is a delightful film.A slow, sensitive telling of a gentle story of young boy and girl from different times in history who are able to meet when the hall clock strikes... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Galliard
Tom's midnight Garden
The Film was very entertaining. This is what Children's films should be very magical full of adventure.
Published on 10 Sep 2009
'A Classic Story To Make You Cry'
If, like me, you are an 'old romantic', hate growing old and are deeply sentimental you will love this film. Read more
Published on 21 Dec 2007 by Antony May
Awful,just plain awful
This is quite simply awful,a really poor adaptation of a classic childrens book.Bad acting,bad derection,bad editing,bad cast.......just bad everything.
Published on 4 Feb 2004
Plot idea excellent, but film is mawkish and depressing
Yuk! This film's time- travel theme is a wonderfully original premise, but is poorly executed. The problem is the excruciatingly dense sentimentality which suffocates the viewer. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2003
brillent classic childrens video
I loved this programme when it was on t.v. as a series, what a joy to watch it all the way through and watching my daughter enjoy it as much as i did a child was great.
Published on 1 Sep 2001
When the clock strikes thirteen?
This has always been a curious tale. Like the three previous television adaptions of the story, this film retains the traditional children's story elements from the 1958 Philippa... Read more
Published on 9 May 2001 by Simon
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