Secret Garden, The (DVD)

Agnieszka Holland’s 1993 adaptation stands as the authoritative version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel. Where other adaptations soften the material’s darker elements, Holland embraces foreboding, decay, and emotional repression as essential themes rather than obstacles to family-friendly viewing. Kate Maberly’s debut performance anchors the film. She captures Mary’s coldness and emotional shutdown without losing the character’s fundamental humanity—a difficult balance for any actor, remarkable for a child. Heydon Prowse matches her as the imperious, damaged Colin, while Andrew Knott brings grounded warmth to Dickon without descending into rustic caricature. Maggie Smith provides the adult gravity the story requires. Holland’s direction trusts the source material’s intelligence. The garden functions as genuine metaphor—decay and rebirth visualized through overgrown roses and returning vitality rather than explained through dialogue. The cinematography captures Yorkshire’s bleakness and beauty equally, while the production design contrasts the manor’s oppressive interiors with the garden’s emerging life. What distinguishes this from typical children’s fare is its refusal to simplify emotional complexity. Characters remain difficult even as they heal, transformation occurs gradually rather than through sudden revelation, and the film acknowledges genuine grief and trauma. Caroline Thompson’s screenplay maintains this sophistication while remaining accessible. Three decades later, the film has aged remarkably well. The performances hold up, the thematic depth remains intact, and the atmospheric richness continues to distinguish it from lesser adaptations. The seminal version of this story, unlikely to be surpassed.

Although not completely true to the original published work, this is a delightful and compelling story about the power of nature, common sense and positive thinking in overcoming both emotional and physical limitations. Young Mary, the protagonist in the story,is being raised in India by two self-absorbed parents who show no interest in Mary or love for her. She is essentially raised by the hired help until one day, both parents die in what appears to be a major earthquake (Mary is spared by hiding under a bed). Now an orphan, she is sent to England to live with her Uncle in his large country mansion. She is required to stay within her own bedroom alone, but has an irrepressible curiosity and begins exploring the house and hears what sounds like a child crying, though all the servants deny hearing it too. One day, she discovers a dormant garden behind a locked gate assisted by a friendly robin and also the brother of one of the servant girls. She and he become friends and she begins tending the garden, weeding and planting flowers, finding delight in the natural beauty of this secret place. She also discovers that the source of the crying is her cousin who is also an orphan whose beloved mother died when he was an infant. However, he is bedbound and very sickly. In temperament, he is almost as incorrigible as she is, spoiled by all the attention of servants tending to him, while seeing little of his bereaved father. Mary begins to see that he needs encouragement, company and the fresh air of the garden. He becomes stronger and happier in Mary's company and his grieving father is shocked and delighted on returning from a trip to see his son's miraculous healing at the hands of Mary's determined spirited mindset. It's a charming story about the resilience of childhood, innocent belief and the power of an outsider to shift the dynamics and heal a shattered family.

Such a cute movie. I read the book in school in the 90's and watched the movie over and over as a kid. It was always one of my favorites. There are many versions of the story, and I have seen several, but this is the best one. It's a classic

One of the best movies of all time. Not scary, not sad. Not violent, not preachy. No flying monkies or scary witches. Dumbo's monther does not get put in cage. Bambi's mother does not die. There are no growling, menacing wolves/dogs, coyotes. There are no loud noises, ghosts, bullies, or children victimized by mean siblings/cousins/parents etc. No threatening, no bad words, No in your face talk, no put-downs. This is an enjoyable, funny, and uplifting movie. It is a family movie without being dorky! You can't help but be entranced by the plot, which centers on 10 year old boy & girl cousins in England in the 1800s, meeting for the first time, both of whom have had little in the way of parental contact. The girl is snobbish and aloof from having grown up lonely and cared for by servants in India and the boy is self-pitying and inactive, convinced that his poor health spells his doom. Self absorption abounds...until they unexpectedly discover each other's existence. Will these two strong willed children become friends? Will they join forces and discover a secret garden? Why is it secret? Kids are the stars of the film, and whenever you have adults out of the way and kids in charge, children love the movie! There's a bit of magic that children accept and love and even some adults want to believe in. This film teaches the power of persistence and belief in yourself, and the power of having a friend.

This was one of my favorite movies growing up, I always loved the view of the garden and the montage of spring blossoming. Recently my hubby bought me the book and naturally, I wanted to see the movie again! Still didn’t disappoint

Decent quality for dvd however both sides are standard format (4:3 ratio) even tho it claims one side is widescreen. Meaning that you’re not seeing the full film they edited the picture to fit an old television so there wouldn’t be black bars on the top and bottom of the screen. Now with 16:9 aspect ratio tvs you will see black bars on the left and right side of the screen.

one of my fav movies growing up so had to show to my daughter.

Maggie Smith is just excellent in this movie. The garden scenes are beautiful.

Yes this movie varies from the original novel. I bought it for viewing at our book club meeting the month we read the original novel. And yes, the things that varied (the mother being twins, the lack of a disease massacre and instead either an earthquake or an invasion (they're not quite clear on that)) were very different. But the feelings of the story were still present. The three children were excellent in their roles, and Maggie Smith was wonderful. I will definitely be re-watching this film time and time again in the future. It's fantastic.

Loved watching this. Bought it for my daughter, as I can't believe that I didn't read it to her as a child! (She missed a magical treat!) Personally, I prefer the original version, so now am on the lookout for that.

Un magnifique film qui a marqué mon enfance. Un classique de la littérature devenu un classique cinématographique. Dommage que l'industrie cinématographique ne produise pas davantage de ce type de film.

What a lovely story! Really enjoyed this film. Good for the whole family.