A Little Princess

( 24 )

Overview

A privileged, free-spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming, critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, also the author of The Secret Garden, the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year-old Sara Crewe Liesel Matthews has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude, the unconventional Sara becomes ...
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Overview

A privileged, free-spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming, critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, also the author of The Secret Garden, the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year-old Sara Crewe Liesel Matthews has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude, the unconventional Sara becomes popular amongst her classmates but quickly comes into conflict with the harsh headmistress, Miss Minchin Eleanor Bron, who attempts to quash the child's individuality. The young girl's situation takes a serious turn for the worse when she unexpectedly receives word of her father's death, and, suddenly impoverished, is forced into life as a servant. Treated as a lesser class of person by her former companions, Sara instead befriends her fellow servants and turns to the power of imagination in order to maintain hope for the future. In addition to changing the story's setting, screenwriters Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler add a layer of Indian mythology to the tale, allowing director Alfonso Cuaron the chance to punctuate the riches-to-rags fable with a series of lush, imaginative fantasy sequences. Though A Little Princess had difficulty attracting audiences during its initial run, its visual splendor and touching storytelling were praised by many critics, several of whom proclaimed the film one of the best family-oriented productions of its time.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Michael Costello
Alfonso Cuaron's adaptation of the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic, the second film version in the last decade, is a brilliantly stylized reimagining of the well-known children's story. Sarah Crewe (Liesel Matthews) is the ten-year-old daughter of a wealthy businessman who places her in a New York boarding school during WWI, after he's called to fight in India. The girl quickly makes a place for herself in this upscale world through her gift for storytelling, but trouble lurks just around the corner. Cuaron has chosen to lessen the realism and harshness of the story, using elaborately designed sets to create an otherworldly atmosphere, while remaining faithful to its overall meaning. Liesel Matthews makes a plucky and intelligent heroine, and comedy veteran Eleanor Bron is suitably chilling as the school's snobbish headmistress. While writers Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler have rendered the characters with considerable subtlety, there's nothing here that couldn't be understood by a child.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 2/6/2001
  • UPC: 012569647336
  • Original Release: 1995

    • Rating:

  • Source: Warner Home Video
  • Presentation: Spanish / Subtitled
  • Language: Español
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Eleanor Bron Miss Minchin
Liam Cunningham Captain Crewe/Prince Rama
Liesel Matthews Sara Crewe
Rusty Schwimmer Amelia Minchin
Arthur Malet Charles Randolph
Vanessa Lee Chester Becky
Camilla Belle Jane
Robert P. Cohen Ermengarde's Father
Kaitlin Cullum Ruth
Heather DeLoach Ermengarde
Judith Drake Bakery Woman
Chris Ellis Policeman
David Fresco Begger Man in Fantasy Forest
Taylor Fry Lavinia
Nathaniel Merrill Doctor in Hospital
Peggy Miley Mabel, Cook
Alison Moir Princess Sita
Kelsey Mulrooney Lottie
Vincent Schiavelli Mr Barrow
Lomax Study Monsieur Dufarge
Tim Winters Frances, Milkman
Technical Credits
Alfonso Cuarón Director
Alan C. Blomquist Executive Producer
Cheryl Carasik Set Decoration/Design
John Dexter Set Decoration/Design
Patrick Doyle Score Composer, Songwriter
Thomas A. Duffield Art Director
Stephen P. Dunn Asst. Director
Jose Antonio Garcia Musical Direction/Supervision
Julie Hewett Makeup
Lawrence Hubbs Set Decoration/Design
Richard LaGravenese Screenwriter
Alan E. Lorimer Special Effects
Emmanuel Lubezki Cinematographer
Judianna Makovsky Costumes/Costume Designer
Mark Johnson Producer
Charles Minsky Cinematographer
Robert Norin Makeup
Jill Greenberg Sands Casting
Steve Weisberg Editor
Robert W. Welch III Production Designer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 24 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(18)

4 Star

(4)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 24 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Alright, but...

    I read the book and I absulutely loved it. But then I saw the movie. The actors were great, the costumes were good, beaututiful scenery...but they really changed the story around. I thoguht the girl who played Sara was a good enough actress but her as Sara was wrong. In the book Sara was said to have green eyes and long, black hair. Well, as you can see this girl does not have black hair. Anyhow, I think it was a very good family movie but for those who like the real story I suggest you see the BBC version instead.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Awesome movie!

    I really liked this movie a lot. You see, I've read the book, and when there was a movie out, I got anxious to see it. I saw it, and I cried, I laughed, I just loved it! When I was reading the book, it made everything sound so beautiful, even the ugly parts, and when I saw the movie, the producers definitely put the brutatlity in realtity. But, it was an awesome movie, and I would recommend it to "classie lovers"

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Little Princess

    Nice storytelling, costumes. Sad drama but alright movie.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Magical, beautiful movie

    All I can say is WOW. This movie was so much better than I expected. I cried, I laughed. It was a great movie and I was so happy for a great ending. What a great movie. Rent. A-

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Magical Movie

    This is one of the best movies I have viewed in a while. The character of Sara captivates the audience with her youthfulness and innocence. This movie is full of suspence, a bit of laughter, and especially some heart-felt moments. Sure to bring a tear to the soft-hearted.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of the best family films ever.

    The 1995 film version of ''A Little Princess'' ranks up there with the 1993 ''Secret Garden'' as among the best family films ever made. It has high production values, beautiful cinematography, and superb child acting. Liesel Matthews to me gives the best portrayal of Sara Crewe that I've seen. She's very charming and believable. I have seen the earlier 1939 film version with Shirley Temple, but neither she nor that film can match this far superior remake.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Not for Purists

    Nice scenery, but not for purists. The movie is visually stunning, but the plot is only barely related to the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Needs a better actress as Sara.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    I Loved It

    I loved the book! I have not yet come across finding the movie. But I'm sure it's just as good because I am going to take everyone's advice and opinions. I hope you enjoy it, for I did!I cried and wanted to be just like her.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    My most favorite movie ever

    I loved it dearly, I loved little sara. it was sad but wonderful! i cried, and it's a good family video!! It teaches girls a lesson about kindness and love!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A little more

    NOt only is the movie intriguing to the mind, but also to the eye. The camera work is so spectacular and follows along with Cuaron's adaptation of The Secret Garden. The Indian legends behind the movie are wonderfully accurate and a great way to expand anyone's knowledge of Indian history.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best Movie Ever All Time

    this is the best movie i've ever seen it's one of my personal favorites i love the movie my favorite character is Sara i love and enjoy how she believes in the magic india is a beutiful place! and the movie is the greatest of all!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Wow!

    This movie is amazing! It is a heart-warming story that the whole family can enjoy. I loved it and I'm sure you will too!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Best movie ever!!

    this movie is the best movie ever and has been my favorite since i first saw it. it makes me cry every time and i love it soOoOoO much! every1 who loves fantasy stories should see this and every1 who doesn't should too! cuz i love it sooOoOoOo much! ...... ps miss minchen is a meanie!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2008

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    Posted October 30, 2008

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    Posted May 20, 2011

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    Posted September 20, 2009

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    Posted March 6, 2011

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 5, 2010

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 13, 2009

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 24 Customer Reviews