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A Little Princess [VHS] [1996]
 
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A Little Princess [VHS] [1996]

VHS ~ Liesel Matthews
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)

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9 new from £3.00 30 used from £0.01 2 collectible from £2.50

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Synopsis
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this charming family film follows young Sara Crewe who, when her widowed father is called to war, travels from her beloved home in India to a strict boarding school in New York. She succeeds in bringing the magic of her childhood to every corner of Miss Minchin's School for Girls.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

A Little Princess [VHS] [1996]
88% buy the item featured on this page:
A Little Princess [VHS] [1996] 4.5 out of 5 stars (24)
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5% buy
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£3.98
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Customer Reviews

24 Reviews
5 star:
 (16)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (24 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good family viewing, 10 Aug 2000
By Jonathan Bryce (Waitakere NZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful childrens' film., 11 Jun 2003
By Kate Miller "Kate" (Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely story for the whole family, 21 Aug 2004
I love this film! It is such a sweet story about young Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews- Air Force One) who has been forced to move from exotic India to New York because her father has been called to the military sevice.
She has to go to a strict boarding school and meets lots of new people: Lavinia (the school bully), Miss Minchin (the evil headmistress), Becky (a little coloured girl who is Miss Minchin's slave) and many more.
This film makes you laugh and cry with the brilliant acting of the talented Liesel Matthews.
This is a film the whole family can enjoy time and time again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic, every child should see it!
A Little Princess [1996]

A classic tale, seen through the eyes of a child; a measure of what appears to be magic and a happy ending. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Nelle Tap

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
I'll start of by saying that I'm a fantasy/sci-fi and action fan, I'm not entirely sure why I picked this film but it was listed on my recommendations so I thought I'd have a look... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. D. Buck

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant
this movie is so heart warming and beautifully shot. It has made me cry EVERY time i watched it! the actors are brilliant, and Liesel Matthews is fantastic. Read more
Published 20 months ago by pinkfairyice

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well done!
Although not quite as great and visually stunning as the previous Frances Hodgson Burnett film adaptation, The Secret Garden, "A Little Princess" is a delightful film to watch any... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Taran Wanderer

5.0 out of 5 stars For people who believe in miracles!
This is a beautiful story, i grew up reading the book and watching this movie. This story of Sara Crew is amazingly enchanting. Read more
Published on 14 Jul 2007 by P.R

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutly enchanting !!! ****
A gorgeous retelling of this classic story. Sara Crew is played wonderfully in this heartbreaking story of tragedy and human spirit. Read more
Published on 3 May 2007 by KarlieneRez

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story
This is one of those very touching/heartwarming films with a good set of actors.
When i first saw this i was finding myself sitting doing other things. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2007 by crazykat

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED IT
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... Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2006 by mortepervita

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
A beautiful story with no boring or slow parts. A magical atmosphere that one can appreciate whatever age. Characters are easy to relate to and to love. Brilliant film. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2006 by Rachy

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
This was my favourite film when i was younger and still is. It is a heart-warming story and truly drags you in. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2006

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