Heidi

Overall this is our favorite version of Heidi in film. We purchased it and extra copies of the novel for gifts. Our family watched this movie anticipating the same cutesy antics and departures from the novel as before but were surprised to find this one quite close to the book. It is a bit more somber than the book in my view but this adds a real 19th century feel anyway. Emma Bolger plays Heidi with enough childlike charm, her shining eyes and sweet grin helped me forgive a few tiny flaws in her young acting. Max Von Sydow plays Grandfather immaculately with the right amount of grumpiness and compassion. The best performance I think is Del Synott as Sebastian the butler! The only thing I wish the director would have done differently is to spend more time on Heidi's enjoyment in the pastures. I recommend watching this movie then going back to the read the book once again if it has been awhile. It is a truly heartwarming story.

Well done version of the classic story of the orphaned young girl, Heidi (played by Emma Bolger), sent to live with her hermit grandfather in his cabin away up high in the Swiss Alps. Grandfather is an unwelcoming, gruff old man, but he very soon takes a real shine to sweet little Heidi - and Heidi takes to her new environment like a duck to water. Sadly for both, she is soon swept away by her unkind/greedy aunt to live with a rich Frankfurt household as the playmate of a wheelchair-bound girl named Clara - but lively young Heidi soon adds some spark of life to the whole house, much to the chagrin of the meanie housekeeper, a really nasty woman in black who rules the roost with an iron fist.

I have seen a number of filmed versions of this story, I found this version to be one of the best. All the actors are perfectly cast in this, I really think Max von Sydow is *the* perfect choice for the grandfather in this story and Geraldine Chaplin is suitably despicable in her portrayal of the housekeeper. Emma Bolger is an adorable and charming young actress who gives a very endearing performance, just as she does in her memorable portrayal of Ariel in the film "In America". The mountain scenery in this film is very atmospheric and gorgeously photographed, the orchestral score is really wonderful. An especially lovely and heartfelt family film, full of charm. Recommended.

Naturally, there have to be changes when a book is made into a film. But traditionally most of the alterations are cuts made either by taking out minor characters or shortening a long scene or a series of scenes. But in this film they actually added a few things that make no sense at all. Whoever had the idea of making the grandfather come into the village to sell his cheese obviously does not know anything about him. This man does not wish any contact with the people who despise and malign him. And where would he get all that cheese from 2 measly goats?

Another problem is Miss Rottenmeier. Of all the Heidi films I have seen, only the Shirley Temple version presented her as really bad. In most of the others as well as in the book she was just very strict and did not even try to understand the child. However, in this movie she seems quite nasty and full of hate.

One of the reviewers commented on Heidi's hair, and I have to agree. No child of that day would have been allowed to have her hair hanging around so untidily.

While the Alpine locations are beautiful, the fancy neighborhood in Frankfurt is definitely a poor choice. From the windows of the elegant Sesemann house one looks at several dilapidated buildings with plaster coming off the walls in huge slabs.

All in all, in spite of these shortcomings, I'm giving the movie 7 stars, mostly for the writer Johanna Spyri and to the mountain scenery.

Of the versions I've seen (1937/1968/1982 animation) this is the only one that really gets the story right! For starters, instead of the typical blonde we now tend to typecast Heidi in, we get the little brown-haired girl that Spyri depicted in her book. She wears simple clothes, not the traditional Swedish outfit, because they recognize that she was poor, and those clothes are only worn on special occasions anyways. The movie doesn't try to stray away from the original story with overt dramatic subplots, it simply depicts the story as it was originally told, and as the book is a very simple story, that's very hard to pull off in a movie. I was so glad that they didn't write out more minor characters like Tinette, Grandmamma or the Doctor. They just enrich the story so much and were played beautifully.

Only real critiques: They changed Schwanli and Bearli's names, and changed the name of the Alm Uncle to Uncle Alp. Also the Irish Accent of Emma Bolger could get a little distracting, and Fraulien Rottenmeier and Aunte Dete were a little crueler towards Heidi than I remember... but considering all that was included I was very satisfied. Makes me want to read the book all over again!

Definitely not a story for those who crave a lot of action and drama. But if you absolutely loved the book as a child, this is a great companion piece.

I wanted to take my two boys to see Madagascar but the seats all sold out, so we went to see Heidi despite a lot of grumbles! From the opening shots of the Alps we were all captured by the narrative and settings. The costumes by Mike O'Neill show great care and attention to detail, the interiors of the Alpine hut are rough and by no means fit for a chocolate box, and the acting was spot on. Max Von Sydow used his usual consummate acting skills to convey a man hurt by life and other human beings, an exile from love. Emma Bolger, with her Irish lilt was not at all cute, but was simple delight to watch. On only one occasion was I conscious she was reciting lines. Heidi brings the old man to life in a slow and quiet way that was gentle and subtle. When Heidi is taken to Frankfurt, the costumes and interiors are authentic once again. If there is anything to criticise in this film it is the slow pace, but this helps in some ways to give the atmosphere of 19th Century Alpine life. A great Christmas film, and a treat for mums and dads too!