There is only good to say about this wonderful heartwarming family picture!
The story opens in early 1900s India, where we see the 10 year old child Mary Lenox, of British parents, being raised with monetary luxuries, but without the loving attention of her parents, who are mostly concerned with their own privileged class amusements.
After a misfortune kills Mary's parents she is sent back to Britain to the home of her Uncle, Lord Craven - who we find has also lost his wife, the twin sister of Mary's mother.
Now the plot thickens and we find Mary has a bedridden cousin Colin, also 10 like Mary, the son of Lord Craven, who is hidden away in a darkened chamber, because of his supposed disabilities and not allowed to go outdoors.
Feeling lonely living at the large estate of Misselthwaite Manor Mary finds a locked garden behind a wall of ivy, fortuitously led there by a red-breasted robin. Here Mary and Dickons, the brother of the housemaid Martha, restore the garden to its former beauty through the planting of bulbs, flowers and tending the many climbing roses. It is an uplifting sight to behold!
While the housekeeper on the estate in charge of the children knows nothing of the youngsters' use of the "secret garden" we see the very magical properties it contains in the wild animals who live there as if they are tame house pets.
The magic of the story extends to a healing in spirit for Mary, bodily healing of Colin's supposed disabilities, and emotional healing for Lord Craven.
The inspiring ending line is uplifting and will stay with you a long time. It is for children and adults alike to enjoy and draw inspiration. And, there is so much fine detail, it is a film to be watched time and again!
My highest recommendation!
Details - 101 minutes; Warner Home Video; 1993; Director -Agnieszka Holland; starring Kate Maberly as Mary, and Maggie Smith as the manor housekeeper; ASIN: 6304698690
Available from Amazon.com
The Secret Garden on DVD
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Review by Susan Kramer
