Heidi

each adaptation is a provocation for viewer. because the shadow of reading is large and high. because the expectations are not little. in this case, all is at perfect place. Noley Thornton shines and Jason Robards is the best grandfather. and, like a good film, it is not exactly an adaptation but a translation not for the book but for its spirit. touching and immersive, fresh and lovely, it gives all gifts who was expected. and this is the key of this Heidy, more realistic than other versions, more close than a family film definition. because it is only a movie for children but , in same measure, for refreshing memories of parents. and the cast, especially ,the great Jason Robards, the smart screenplay writer and , sure, Michael Ray Rhodes makes a good and almost admirable work.

I grew up with this movie. So loving, was, and beautiful. Of course there are some sad parts but overall a very touching film that for me, is a comfort film. Please, please..give it a try! :-) if you enjoyed The Secret Garden (1993, which is one of my favorites as well) you'll probably enjoy this!

I've watched at least two of the other Heidi versions, and this is probably my favorite. I liked the Shirley Temple version a lot, too, but this one is very charming and Noley Thornton is very cute as Heidi. I watched an older version of Heidi today, and it was good as well (with Jean Simmons), but it was definately not as good as this one (though they both have their strong points).

Disney is known for some pretty cheesy rock-to-the-head morals but usually the high budget production at least makes it tolerable. This, on the other hand, is low budget Disney cheese - the stuff you find at the back of your fridge and shove way back in, in the hopes that maybe if you ignore it long enough it'll go away. It begins by shoehorning in an overdramatic scene with Heidi's parents. They are on screen for a handful of minutes so who even cares about them? Nobody, at the point where they stand frozen in stupidity watching a tree really really really slowly topple over after being struck by lightening. Seriously. I was glad they were dead. They deserved it. And it all went downhill from there. Whoever cast the Heidi kid... I'm not sure what they were going for. It was like they said "we're looking for another Annie, only with no personality." Honestly, I don't even particularly like Shirley Temple, and the Shirley Temple version was a thousand times beyond this one in terms of quality. Shirley brought personality and precociousness to the role that this kid entirely lacks. As the movie rests on this kid's shoulders, it fails dismally, especially as the rest of the cast perform equally poorly, making the whole movie an exercise in wondering "good god, how much of this can possibly be left to watch?"

I always find it interesting how one film can produce such a range of reviews. The reviews for this film, range from a beautifully acted, heartwarming film, suitable for all the family down to absolute rubbish, badly acted and not suitable for under 10's. I personally loved it. I haven't read the book although I am familiar with the story. I found the film moving and was well acted. OK, there are a mixture of accents in the film, but so what. Once you get into the story you wont even notice. For me this film, had the same sort of atmosphere as 'The Secret Garden'. A lovely story. Touching and heartwarming. The acting is good and the scenery magnificent. Watch it and make your own mind up. I am sure you wont be disappointed. Mike