Pollyanna

... until I watched this movie tonight. 10+ stars just for that very personal effect on me. For more objective info on the how and why of this film's gentle magic, see the other 10-star reviews.

This TV version of the popular novel by Eleanor H Porter comes to the screen with all the usual story lines intact. Directed by Sarah Harding and adapted by Simon Nye, it is more than a match for the classic film versions with Hayley Mills and Mary Pickford.

Pollyanna is sent to live with her aunt, played by Amanda Burton, in the country, where she finds most of the village have dark secrets which cause them unhappiness. The little girl is something of a close cousin to Jane Austen's Emma in her determination to bring happy endings and match-make couples. It takes a personal tragedy for everything to come together and for all the riddles to be solved.

A film with great charm, filmed well and enhanced by performances by the likes of Kenneth Cranham (the embittered Mr Pendleton), and Aden Gillett, the doctor. Pollyanna herself is played by newcomer Georgina Terry, and I hope we see more of her.

Amanda Burton plays, as usual, a great role in this drama which is particularly moving in parts. The plot is very interesting and the costumes and settings are second to none. Georgina Terry was a wonderful actress in this for someone who was so young and Pam Ferris always adds her touch of comedy to dramas!

Great drama! 10/10!

What a sweet, "feel good" movie. If you like "The Little Princess" & "The Secret Garden", you'll love "Pollyanna". Nice scenery composing of lush English countrysides & quaint towns. Georgina Terry is an accomplished little actress in the lead role. Appealing to children & women of any age.

I am with those who does consider this 2003 version better than the 1960 Hayley Mills film, which I still liked though it did have moments where it was sickly sweet and jarred in tone towards the end. This version is charming without being cloying and much more even in terms of overall tone. The writing has sweetness and wit, and the story as well as being faithful in spirit to Porter's story has plenty of charm and heart while never over-doing it. This version looks beautiful too, all very colourful and evocative as well as lovingly photographed. The music has Christopher Gunning's usual trademark of soothing, simple melodic writing, and is suitably unobtrusive. The cast are just wonderful. Georgina Terry is never less than effortlessly charming, and she is brilliantly supported by a sympathetic yet firm Amanda Burton. Kenneth Cranham is helped by the fact that Mr Pendleton(whose individual relationship with Pollyanna is expanded upon and very movingly) is far more interesting here, and Aden Gillet's Dr Chilton is a warm handsome presence. Pam Ferris also does a fine job as Mrs Snow, even if I did find Agnes Moorhead a little more memorable. The ending is very understated and did move me a great deal. My only criticism with this otherwise wonderful version is the length, I just wish it were longer. That aside, it is the superior version and highly recommended. 9/10 Bethany Cox