Powerful

Instant Favorite.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Blistering performances.

Some "children's films" are only for children. Some can be watched by the whole family. Others are so good they seem hardly intended for children at all, and "The Secret Garden" falls in that category. It is a work of beauty, poetry and deep mystery, and watching it is like entering for a time into a closed world where one's destiny may be discovered.The movie's dark themes, unhurried pace and talkiness make it something of a gamble for many children. But older children -- especially those who have been asking specific questions about death -- may find some nourishment in this garden. The film retains the gothic atmosphere of the book and looks amazing, thanks to Roger Deakins's scintillating photography. Any kids' movie that aims for something richer than the Saturday-matinee escapism of smiling whales and preschool ninjas -- that actually captures some of the mystery of childhood -- ought to be embraced. whatever its peculiarities.By the end of the film I was surprised by how much I was moved; how much I had come to care about the lonely little boy, the orphaned girl, and the garden that a dead woman had prepared for them.The result is an instant classic -- rich, dense, resonant, powerful.

My favorite movie from my childhood, made me dream about this garden mane years

Secret Garden is one of my all-time favorite films. I love everything about it. Starting with the music, this is also one of my favorite soundtracks, which I listen to regularly. It is emotional and incorporates beautiful instrumentals with strings, flutes and pianos. During the more high tense scenes the music gets louder and shrill, and the pace quickens with the flow of the characters. The pitch is low and dreary. Then when it's calm and slow the music smooths and becomes a relaxing melody, sometimes accompanied with quiet singing.The color scheme increases the mood by being very washed out and dark for most of the film. There are a lot of muted colors mixed with blacks and dark grays. It gets gradually more colorful as the film progresses and the garden begins to grow. The lighting gets brighter, more colors are introduced in the backgrounds and sets, and even Mary's clothes go from blacks to yellows and whites. The changes along the way are subtle, but by the end of the film the contrast is polar opposite to how it started. The garden goes from dead to being full of lush foliage and flowers. The significance is mirrored in the family when they go from three lonely people with bad dispositions and blossom into a loving and happy family.The movie isn't a fantasy film, but it does evoke a feeling of magic. The children's imaginations and the wonder they feel by sharing this secret garden allows for a "what if" aspect to the story. Even when they are doing the experiment to bring Lord Craven home it doesn't feel like much of a stretch for them to believe that what they are doing is real. There are some really beautiful time lapse videos of the plant growth that add to the enchantment of the movie. With roots and leaves sprouting in an instant, transforming the landscape into something unrecognizable. The actors are all great. Of course there is the always lovely Maggie Smith, who here played a rather nasty and pretentious woman. You couldn't help but hate her a bit. The performances by Kate Maberly as Mary and Heydon Prowse as Colin were impressive, particularly when you consider they were only around ten years old when this was filmed. Their characters were full of fervor and forcefulness at first, and then softened by the end of the film into almost entirely different people.This is a wonderful coming of age film that I think is great for all ages. I would recommend the book, as well. There of course are parts from it that didn't make it to the film. It really is a lovely story and a wonderful film.

After losing her self-indulging parents in an earthquake, a bitter young girl named Mary Lennox is sent to live in England with her reclusive uncle.Some have said his film seems like a precursor or inspiration for Harry Potter. Along with "Troll", I can definitely see it. Of course, the two are wildly different, but there are some aspects of it being (British) children in a mystical environment. One cannot help but notice the appearance of Maggie Smith.While I was not as crazy about this movie as some people are, it definitely has charm and I can see it being really fun for kids.