From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

That's about it - imagine running away from home, living in a tree-house and having great adventures. This film was fantastic fun. It may not be highbrow art, but it is a fun film for the kids!

The other guy who commented on this film was obviously looking for something more adult and intelligent. I found that this film was well meaning and had good moral standing.

It is a film to take you on a journey and allow you to see things that you otherwise would not. A good exploration of posh kids meeting with street kids, alien experiences like living alone and being self-sufficient.

Very entertaining for a young mind hungry for stimulation.

It is about friendships and trust, independence and coming of age. Fighting your own battles and finding yourself.

I really liked this film when I saw it the first time in the 80's on television. I think I would enjoy it again, although I doubt I would watch it unless I chanced upon on television one night. I would consider watching it if I have kids, I would like them to see it.

I have to disagree with the posters who didn't like the film because it "isn't believable". My question to them is... Who would believe that a pregnant woman could live in a Wal-Mart or that a movie ticket can bring an action star out of the silver screen. It's a delightful little movie that I would watch over and over and over again either by myself or with the kids. It says something about the perseverance of and dedication of siblings, I only hope that my own children feel like that about their siblings... I haven't read the book yet, but am going to now that I know there is one. I have to be honest here... I was a preteen when I first saw this movie and I can remember going into my mother's medicine cabinet and taking some of her Alka Seltzer just to try it with chocolate sauce... After growing and having kids of my own... I STILL have one every once in a while! Still trying to find this move on DVD or VHS so we can have a copy here at home.

I loved E. L. Konigsberg's book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It is one of a few books that I remember fairly vividly from childhood, and I recently read it with my son, so we decided to watch this movie. I liked the movie, and thought that the children and Ingrid Bergman all gave fine performances. However, the movie differs from the book on minor details that I could see no rationale for changing (saying that Mrs. BEF lived in New Jersey, rather than Connecticut, for example). Mainly, though, I was very disappointed in the way the story ends in the movie in comparison to the book. In the book, Mrs. BEF gives the children a time limit and lets them figure out the answer to the mystery themselves. But in the movie, Mrs. BEF leaves Jamie playing cards with her butler, while she takes Claudia to another part of the house, where Mrs. BEF essentially solves the mystery for Claudia. I would still recommend the movie, but it's not nearly as good as the book.

I found Sally Prager's portrayal of Claudia delightful. The character is intelligent, curious, full of wonder, and caring toward her younger brother. Her independence and courage are admirable. I sympathized completely with "Mrs. Frankweiler's" attraction to this spunky young girl. Ingrid Bergman's appearance toward the end of this movie elevates the film to a new level; as ever, her acting is superb.

Adaptation of E.L. Konigsberg's novel about bookish femme teenager and her younger brother running away from home to live in New York City's Metropolitan Museum. Unusual, wordy, but just slightly artificial adventure, featuring juvenile actors who aren't fully alert and a large majority of adult characters who are written as buffoons (the kids' father scolds the girl for reading "King Arthur", citing psychological reasons!). Film is ultimately saved by Ingrid Bergman in a wonderful supporting performance as a wealthy recluse who crosses paths with the youngsters. Low-budget picture does have a fast pace and is fairly inventive. It could've used a better title, however (overseas it was dubbed "The Hideaways"). **1/2 from ****