Heidi

This is a good dramatization of Johanna Spyri's "Heidi." It stays closer to the original plot line than some others (i.e.--Shirley Temple's). All of the actors and actresses (young and old) do a very good job with the material. Of course, one must expect a certain amount of one-sidedness of characters such as Grandfather. His character is too deep to explore in such a short movie, but his characterization is certainly adequate. This is doubtlessly a movie for kids. If you're looking for something deeper, go elsewhere. It is fun: the kids enjoyed it, and mom did too. (Maximilian Schell is VERY handsome as Herr Sessemann). I borrowed this movie but will definitely buy a copy for our family.

There have been plenty of on-screen adaptations of this story - it lends itself well to a screen. The eponymous lass (Jennifer Edwards) is palmed off on her reclusive grandfather (Sir Michael Redgrave) atop a mountain, with only him, some goats and the young "Peter" (John Moulder-Brown) for company. She is a charming young girl who soon manages to crack the erstwhile impervious shield of the old man before her wealthy uncle "Richard" (Maximilian Schell) sends word that he will care for her at his Frankfurt home. Once there she quickly befriends his housekeeper "Frauline Rottenmeir" (Jean Simmons) and his bedridden young daughter "Klara" (Zuleika Robson) and slowly a family starts to emerge and to thrive - culminating in a perfect holiday on their mountain. Simmons is gorgeous, Edwards has a charm and Redgrave a loving manner about him that sets this made for television (NBC) movie up nicely. A simple story, told with a sympathetic eye to the detail amidst some pretty (Californian as well as Alpine) scenery.

Actually the cast were stunning, Jean Simmons, Michael Redgrave, Maximilian Schell. The scenery was spectacular also. However the grandfather's role was too thin, there should have been more depth to his character apart from a guy who did not want his daughter to ever leave and as a result refused to play the organ again and lived as a recluse. Some of the scenes between Heidi and her grandfather and uncle are quite touching. Jean Simmons is wonderful and makes the most of her part as a governess in love with the uncle. 6 out of 10 by me, 9 out of 10 from the child in my life.

I have yet to see the definitive version of Heidi, but none of the versions are bad at all(have yet though to see the Emma Bolger version). Personal favourite goes to the Shirley Temple film, not the truest to the book but it was funny, moving and with a lot of charm, the Jetlag animated film is beautifully done surprisingly and Noley Thornton's is handsomely rendered and well acted but is over-dramatic in places and some of the characters were too hostile(especially the grandfather, don't get me wrong I do like it still). This 1968 film is very good too, more could have been done with the grandfather with more of a character growth but thankfully he's not too one-dimensional and he is not too hostile either. In fact that the characters are more sympathetically treated than in the Noley Thornton version is most admirable, but a couple especially Fraulein Rottenmeier(from a truly beastly character to a love interest) are in some way too sympathetic and somewhat "sugar-coated". There is a fair bit of conflict in the book but in the film it's in the complex emotions of the grandfather and Clara being a brat at times. Despite all this, Heidi(1968) does deserve to stand on its own and stand on its own it does and very well. The Alps scenery is gorgeous and is photographed with care and love. John Williams' score is typically lush and beautiful, not overbearing the charming nature of the story in any way. The film is smartly and thoughtfully scripted and while the story is not always faithful in detail to the book it is in spirit(more so than the other three adaptations seen), maintaining a gentle heart-warming tone throughout without throwing in any dark or over-dramatic bits. The ending is as it should be, truly emotional. The direction is controlled but keeps the film moving in an engaging way, and the film is very well-acted throughout, especially by a radiant Jean Simmons and a crusty yet heartfelt Michael Redgrave. Jennifer Edwards' Heidi is not quite as interesting as Shirley Temple's(who brought more dimension to the character much more than one would expect) but is just as interesting, a very warm performance that sprinkles with strong-willfulness and charm. Clara could have been much more gentle and not so much a brat, but she is still very movingly and passionately played Zuleika Robson. Maximillian Schell is very memorable by how truly handsome he is here and he is a likable father figure here too. Peter and the grandmother are good too. To conclude, a charming and worthy if not definitive adaptation of one of the childhood classics. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Heidi was one of my favorite books as a child, and I have been disappointed in all the filmed versions.

This one annoyed me in particular because it changed a key part of the plot. In the book, Heidi is miserable in Frankfurt not only because she misses Switzerland but because Fräulein Rottenmeier is so mean to her. One gets the impression from the book that this character is a bitter, uptight older woman who takes out her frustrations on the energetic and non-conforming Swiss child.

So who plays Fräulein Rottenmeier in this version? Jean Simmons, who was still in her thirties and quite glamorous looking. She was so not only portrayed as being really sweet and understanding, but also as being in love with Klara's widowed father.

In other respects, the TV movie follows the book quite faithfully and was well acted, especially by the girl who played Klara, so the addition of a love interest seems quite unnecessary.