Il piccolo Lord

Long ago, CBS used to make excellent adaptations of classic novels, before reality TV poisoned the sensibilities of the viewing public. Little Lord Fauntleroy is one of their best, filled with charm and energy and superior performances all around.

Filmed in England with virtually no other American in it than Ricky Schroeder, it has the proper Victorian feel to it. Ricky brings his brash but honest Yankee personality into this staid atmosphere and shakes up his grandfather's long-held prejudices against the Colonies and his own family and tenants. Schroeder was the ultimate child actor; no other I could think of would have done this role justice as he is perfect for the part. His beautiful blond hair, in the requisite pageboy required for a Victorian Lord Fauntleroy, frames his angelic face and visually sets him on a plane above every other actor, even Alec Guinness. Guinness is superb as the bitter and self-absorbed grandfather. The rest of the supporting players are excellent, especially Colin Blakely as the opinionated Mr. Hobbs, the American grocer. The English countryside and architecture also have their own role to play here. The landscape is lush and beautiful, and the enormous estate that Lord Fauntleroy will inherit is magnificent, adding much to the atmosphere.

This is a fine family film which is especially wonderful to watch at Christmas; unfortunately it hasn't been out on VHS since 1980 and hasn't been released in the US on DVD, but has been released in an Italian edition with the English soundtrack and Italian menu options. The transfer is excellent and the film is uncut. This is not hard to find but is in Region 2 format, so regular US DVD players won't play it. If you ever run across a copy of the film in any form don't hesitate to snap it up. This is one of those rare films that truly brings a novel to life, and it shouldn't be missed.

This film was released in 1980 (as stated), three years after my younger daughter was born. I taped it on TV, and she watched it avidly for many years. It became a milestone in our family life.

Within a year of first seeing it, my daughter knew every line of the script, and we would watch her watching the movie, her lips moving, speaking all the parts...(she was of course, going to marry Ricky Schroder). She still has the tape, and even at 28 years of age, still watches it from time to time. But it is sadly worn, and like another reviewer, I too long for it to be re-released on DVD. It is a beautifully made story performed equally beautifully by a superb cast.

It is an exiting story for all ages, with a feel good ending reminiscent of a kinder and more gentle age. May it last forever, and if anyone knows where it may be purchased, either new on tape, or even if it has indeed been released on DVD...please, PLEASE let me know...Enjoy! Brian Arpel

This fantastic TV Movie made in 1979-80 still holds its place as the Best TV Movie ever made. The production values are fabulous, the cinematography awesome, the music score perfect, the casting magnificent, the pacing on track and the story emotional and very involving. Initially I video taped it, cutting out commercials, and that print was very imperfect. Years later I bought the VHS video version and the picture quality was quite poor with dirt specks and impurities and a very faded, sepia toned print. This film should be on the list for film preservation and remastering. It is a classic and I agree with those of you who say it is the best version to date, as I've seen the others and they pale in comparison. The DVD on Blu-Ray or regular would sell like hotcakes if it were properly marketed and there's a huge whole new audience out there who'd absolutely love it! There is a Website for TV Series Wanted on DVD, but sadly, no such forum for Movies Wanted on DVD. I have a List on my Website at: King Spud's Movie & TV Pages of many great films not yet released on DVD. Someone has been peeking at it as some very obscure films I listed have been produced on DVD. I just wish I could get All of those who own the rights to check out my List. Til then we can hope for the DVD or Hallmark Channel and other cable networks to run it again.

Not only an excellent leading cast, Alec Guinness superb as the curmudgeony earl and Ricky Schroeder believably charming as the American boy thrust into the world of the English nobility, the minor characters are also exceptional: Eric Porter as the earl's steward and Patrick Stewart as the head coachman both particularly memorable. The pace of the film is also excellent, events happen and characters develop with interesting detail but without over emphasis or very drawn out scenes. Overall, in our family's top 20 or even top 10 fims. So, why on earth can't the studio issue this film on VHS or DVD! Considering the absolute rubbish that is now available even on DVD there must surely be a market for an excellent seasonal "family" film like this. We made a recording when this film was shown on TV sometime in the early 80s, since when it has been played at least twice a year for the last 20 years and both sound and vision have now deteriorated to a point where it is almost unwatchable. PLEASE! someone, pass this request on to the studio and get it issued on DVD. We know there are many families like us who would be happy to pay £15 or so for a new version to play for the next 20 years.

Our family have loved this film for years. (see my comments posted in December 2003) But our recorded VHS version had deteriorated so much that it was no longer enjoyable to watch. I tried the "normal" means to searched for a DVD version but without success. I could only find VHS "collectable" copies at ludicrous prices (£40 to £50 plus postage, etc.) . Then I found someone in Holland offering a version on Ebay and thus discovered accident that a DVD version had been produced in Italy! - in English AND Italian. A quick web search enabled me to order from an Italian book & media Internet seller and I got an excellent copy in proper box within 3 days for a total price including delivery of under £20 ($35). Worth every penny even though it had only mono sound and presumably must have been a copy from a film distributor's version !