The Secret Garden (1975)
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DVD details
Actor: Hope Johnstone, Jacqueline Hoyle, Jennie Goossens, Sarah Hollis Andrews, William MarshBrand: Image Entertainment
Editor: Albert Bourne
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 210 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-07-12
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Homevision
DVD Reviews of The Secret Garden (1975)
DVD Review: The Best Adaptation of "The Secret Garden"
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1975 BBC adaptation is the best and most loyal adaptation of the children's classic "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. At approximately 210 minutes, this adaptation is the only one that does the novel justice.
I have also viewed two other adaptations of "The Secret Garden." Neither adaptation does the novel justice. Yet, in my opinion the 1987 adaptation by Hallmark is better than the 1993 Warner adaptation. Both the Hallmark and Warner adaptation are about 100 minutes.
Below I compare and contrast the three color adaptations.
1. The 1975 adaptation BBC
This adaptation is very low budgeted, and it shows in the picture quality, which is painful even if you are used to BBC 4.3 aspect ratio films. This said, the film is QUITE GOOD in every other way if loyalty in plot is important to you. For example, Mr. Archibald Craven, Ben W., Martha, Martha's mother, etc. are given larger roles in this adaptation than in the 1987 and 1993 adaptations. Furthermore, a considerably amount of the dialogue is taken directly from the novel. Therefore, this adaptation is much less 'sound bites' and allows for the development of Mary, Dickon, and Collin's characters.
The acting is also considerably better than the 1987 adaptation and better than the 1993 adaptation. [Unfortunately, with child actors of probably 10 or 11 years of age who have memorize a large amount of script, errors will be evident.]
Yet, the 1975 adaptation is the best adaptation in my opinion. It is neither too mystical (1993) nor too gothic (1987). I just is the story of a family and a garden that brings them together.
I rated this adaptation five starts because of the script and acting - NOT BECAUSE OF THE PICTURE QUALITY, which would have to be rated 1 star or two at most.
2. The 1987 adaptation Hallmark
Although I know many individuals despise this adaptation, I enjoyed it for a change. Yes, the acting is not perfect and the accents are horrible. Yes, the ending is pathetic and quite changed from the novel. Yes, the mystical Dickon (as an adult) dies in World War I. Yet, when one considers what the film was trying to achieve (i.e. change the theme from a children's story to a social critique of problems in society), it does an effective job. The film is a little too gothic (in the Victorian literature definition -i.e. 'ghosts' and long, dark corridors), yet I did not think the gothic harmed the story but rather created a sense of anticipation.
Again, if you want a loyal adaptation, I would urge the the 1975 adaptation. However, if you are tired of watching the 1975 adaptation and want to see a change, this 1987 adaptation is a better choice than the 1993 adaptation.
3. The 1993 adaptation Time Warner
I disliked this adaptation. My first problem was that Mary's parents were killed in an earthquake rather than a plague. (I am not certain what this proved?). Secondly, the mystical music was annoying as were the inappropriate accents - although of the two, I could tolerate the poor accents much more than the poor music.
Additionally, other scenes were also altered. For example, Mary finds the key to the garden in her deceased aunt's bedroom in the shut up wing of the Manor. In the 1975 adaptation (and I think the 1987 adaptation also), Mary finds the key buried with some help from a robin. However, the robin does show Mary where the door to the garden is located.
Unfortunately, the other problem I have with this film is that it is centered almost exclusively on Mary's character. Where the 1975 adaptation provides other characters (ex: Martha, Dr. Craven, Sir Archibald Craven, and Martha's mother have with numerous scenes in which Mary does not appear.) In the Warner adaptation, Mary is the focus of nearly every scene.
Also, Collin's character was considerably altered into less dictatorial that in the novel the other film adaptations. In fact, at times, Collin appears very childish and timid - terrified of dying and of Mrs. Medlock (rather than bossing Mrs. Medlock, his nurse, and everyone else around). Why Mrs. Medlock and the whole staff of of the Manor had to wear masks when around Collin, I have not a clue? (I forget if everyone wearing a mask was in the novel or not, but it makes no sense in this film adaptation.)
However, the film does have some positives. The Manor house is considerably larger than in the 1975 adaptation and larger than the 1987 adaptation, and therefore, it becomes more believable that Mary could have mistaken Collin's crying for the wind, rather than know outrightly that it was someone crying.
Description of The Secret Garden (1975)
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.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
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