The Treasure Seekers

Well, it falls apart under logical scrutiny, but it's so chock full of charm, it doesn't matter.

Five kids pull together to save the seemingly doomed House of Bastable. Their ideas on how this should be done are bizarre, outrageous, generally unsuccessful and great fun. Digging a trap hole in the garden to catch bailiffs is just one of them! Meanwhile, distracted dad works clumsily towards inventing the fridge!

An all star cast (mostly buried under fake moustaches) make this even more enjoyable as they all embrace the silliness with their best efforts. It's a feel-good fairy tale and, of course, things work out well in the end! Wonderful stuff for the whole family!

Don't be deceived by the title of this movie. If you're expecting a rousing adventure yarn involving pirates and sailing the bounding main or perhaps a race against both time and baddies to retrieve a long-hidden hoard then you're going to be disappointed. Rather this is a much quieter affair centering around the efforts of a bunch of siblings to save their home and family from financial ruin. That being said, this is a very pleasant movie. It is British-made and so eschews the clichés you'd expect from a Hollywood-made flick and it stars some familiar and talented British actors. The plot is intelligent and, needless to say, the acting is excellent. It's all very low-key though and while it's definitely suitable for families, younger kids might find it a bit dull. Older kids will enjoy it though and, I'm pleased to say, their parents will too.

Charming adaptation of the Edith Nesbit novel about 5 motherless children in England during the turn of the century trying to help their financially strapped father-inventor who is on the verge of a breakthrough in refrigeration. Initially it appears that everything they try turns into a catastrophe but all their good intentions ultimately pay off and dovetail together. This is one of those rare family friendly films my husband and I can enjoy with the children without fear of bad language, violence, sexual innuendo or political correctness. I would recommend this film very highly. It is purchasable through Questar on 2 video tapes.

Dora (Camilla Power) is the oldest of five children of a widowed father (James Wilby). The family is in fairly dire straits. Father works but expenses are great and the clan is in danger of losing their home. Happily, there is an iron in the fire in that papa has a knack for invention and is working on a mechanical icebox. But, what if he does not complete it and who will provide the backing to make it come to fruition? The children, aware that the situation, decide that they will dig for a buried treasure. Its not found, but, they do meet a real life German princess, along with other new pals. Dora, who bears the heaviest burden, finds work outside the home as a secretary, in addition to being in charge of her younger siblings. Best of all, the kids meet a woman doctor (Gina McKee) who proves to be an invaluable friend. She is especially interested in the invention, for she knows that many hospital medicines need to be cool. Will it all work out for this hard-working, close-knit family? This is a lovely period piece, a true treasure for those who want to share quality films with their families. Although it is British, it has clear English and situations that are universal and the cast, especially McKee, is quite nice. Naturally, the Victorian setting and costumes are beautiful and the photography is also quite wonderful. The plot, at times, seems to dart from one new event to the next, causing a bit of confusion, but it works to a good end. Do seek out this movie, you cinema fans with high standards who also crave hefty entertainment and diversion, too. As stated, this one is a treasure, certainly.

"The Treasure Seekers" is a very good and entertaining film set in England in the early 19th century. It's a British TV production based on a book by E. Nesbit. I confess that I don't recall having known or heard about Edith Nesbit. She was an author and poet who wrote or co- wrote more than 60 fiction books for children. She lived from 1858 to 1924.

While this TV movie doesn't say when it takes place, one can date the time by the father's efforts to invent refrigeration. No one person can lay claim to the title of inventor of the refrigerator. The encyclopedias mention several different inventors in Great Britain, the U.S., France and elsewhere. Each developed a different method of refrigeration between 1805 and 1859.

This is a pleasant story about five children of the Bastable family who set out to help save their home and their inventor father from financial ruin. The actors are all very good. The production qualities all are very good as well. Two or three non-family members comment during the movie how Bastable has a wonderful bunch of children, or that his children are very lively. I won't give away the whole story, but have this one observation. While the kids mean well in what they do, most of them do things that disobey their father. And, each time it causes considerable problems for the father and the family. I think they could be lively without being disobedient. Until the mid-20th century in America, children behaved generally very well. They were obedient, well- mannered and respectful.

So, I wonder if this production was a modern adaptation of the book, still setting it back in time. Or, did Ms. Nesbit actually write these lively characters to be disobedient as portrayed? Of course, one of those actions of disobedience led to connections that eventually were the salvation of the family. The movie shows clearly the problems that arise from the acts of disobedience, and it shows the regret of each child after wards.

This is a fun story and one that I think the whole family would enjoy.