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Description: Sarah Hollis Andrews stars as Mary Lennox, a lonely and spoiled girl who is sent to live with her uncle in the wake of her parents' death. In his dark and foreboding manor, her life is transformed by unexpected friendships and a surprising, hidden fantasy world. Impeccably mounted, with a literate script and superb performances, this magnificent BBC production is among the most acclaimed adaptations of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s novel that has captivated generations of readers. 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 Customer Reviews: Rating: 
Date: 2008-03-27
Question on this version
just a question - is this the version that ends with mary and Colin as adults? Rating: 
Date: 2007-08-28
The best ever
I saw this version on a PBS series called 'Once Upon a Classic' back when I was in High School. The version of 'Heidi' was also excellent...I hope to see it available soon.
I read the book to my girls in the late 80's, having seen it on TV only the one time. Later, when the condensed video came to our local library, we watched it together and I realized that I'd gotten the pronunciation spot-on (except for the "th'"). That in itself speaks volumes for the wonderful impression this portrayal had on me. It remains in the heart and soul, not just the cognitive brain. By the way, the daughters were pleased.
Also, bravo to all involved in the film. While every other adaptation took the plot and wandered right off the page with it, this piece captured the flavor, spirit and joy of the book. It may be cliche but, "the book was better" applies perfectly to 1949, 1993, and any others out there in the ether.
A 1985 BBC version of 'A Little Princess' is out there somewhere, too. Please bring the full-length show to the market...I'll buy.
Rating:
Date: 2007-05-02
The truest adaptation
The abbreviated VHS version of this BBC rendition of The Secret Garden was one of my favorite films as a child, so it was with some trepidation that I ordered this lengthier DVD. I didn't know whether the additional scenes would add to the story, or detract from it. After watching one half-hour episode a night for a week, I can say that I was quite impressed by how faithfully the full length rendition stuck to the original story. No other adaptation that I've encountered, (and I've encountered many of them, including an audio drama and a musical stage play,) was content to stick to Francis Hodgson Burnett's simple childhood tale. In this case, however, there were only a few deviations, the most notable being the presence of John, the footman, who plays a brief, nameless role in the book, but is a fairly important supporting character in this version. This, like the other fairly small alterations, is mainly an exposition device, and takes the place of narration.
There are places where this film shows its budgetary constraints. The titles aren't as clean as they could be, and whenever the robin appears it is obviously via stock footage. The garden, which is clearly on a sound stage, does not appear to contain any trees large enough to sit in, let alone fall out of. But all of these things are minor quibbles, and there's a lot to make up for them. The costuming and the Yorkshire accents are spot on, and all of the characters look exactly the way that they are described in the book, down to the smallest detail. I would recommend this classic to anyone who enjoyed the original story, and doesn't feel the need to see it 'enhanced' with dramatic subplots. Rating:
Date: 2007-03-01
Realistic and touching to watch!!
I recently watched an abridged version of this movie and plan to purchase the full version as I want to know what sections are missing and because I love the way the British depict a story. What was shown in the l00 plus minutes to me was lovely to say the least! I would not say that this film was cheaply made at all, in fact I was impressed with the decors of the rooms, the dress of the characters and the look of the large home from outside and the countryside. Yes, there is slight grainy filming only when the characters go outside, but it is not really that bad and when they enter the garden it looks normal like the inside of the house. To me this did not take away from the film. I also enjoyed the accents of the characters and the interaction between characters. I did not find it hard at all to understand their speech and I felt that the characters had great concern and emotion for one another. I was surprised that Colin's father actually appeared normal and rather nice because I had watched two other versions of this movie and felt the 1993 version though beautiful to watch was not so realistic nor did I feel the characters were as loving towards one another especially the head maid and Colin's father toward Colin or Mary. The father was extremely unrealistic and foreboding in that version. I watched the 1949 version and the acting was somewhat overdone and the movie was dark overall. I felt in this BBC version that all the characters started out somewhat disliking one another but all came around and even Colin's father and the head maid showed care and concern for Mary and I was happy that it was a very happy story. I also liked the character development and much interaction between the maids and the children without hatred shown and the sets were just right and not fake at all. The garden was just that...a garden a realistic garden. I can't wait to see the longer version because the pace of the BBC movies is nice and slow giving time to developing the characters!! If you like realism and getting to know the characters without a lot of overplay and hype this is the version for you!! Rating:
Date: 2006-12-27
The REAL Secret Garden!
I am so glad to see this DVD finally released in the U.S. We watched this version of The Secret Garden in England in 1975 when it was produced for the BBC. We arranged our calendar around the excellent and accurate productions of the timeless children's classic books. BBC productions are known for their accurate portrayal of the author's intent. The Secret Garden did not disappoint. Each character was so carefully cast that we felt we were inside the book. Sarah Hollis Andrews IS Mary Lennox--in looks as well as demeanor. And Martha and Dickon and all the other characters are so perfectly cast. No detail is overlooked. The script is true to the book and the detail in the settings, the authentic accents in the speech, all are so perfect. I am always put off by movies that distort stories in order to add dramatic flair and romance, thinking the book wasn't strong enough in its own right. If you want to watch the Hallmark production or any of the others, do so, but see this one FIRST. You will be transported right into the pages of the book and you will live with the characters as they grow. The emotion you will feel will far surpass anything that can be wrought by the Hallmark version. This is a wonderful family film. If you have not read the book, I recommend that, also, unabridged, of course.
Seeing this released gives me hope that more of the BBC classics might come to DVD in the U.S. I am still waiting for their version of Carrie's War, A Little Princess, Heidi, all of which we saw come alive in the 1975 BBC television series. |
