Not a 5 star movie, but this is actually acceptable, considering it's a TV movie. But the movie has a slightly involving story which is dramatic and sentimental.
The scenario is very good and quite Scotland-like, with green places, forests, rivers... in one word, the wonders of nature.
The adult actors do a reasonable job, but the young actors are definitely the best ones: Gennie James as Mary Lennox, Jadrien Steele as Colin Craven and mostly Barret Oliver as Dickon Sowerby.
This is the first movie I ever saw Barret Oliver portraying a teenager. He was a popular actor in the 80's and he was a fine actor. It's a shame he didn't want to continue doing that, but I understand his reasons.
Here, Barret Oliver was already a handsome teenager, the same way as he was a handsome child. I don't know his height now or then, but he sure looked tall here. Adding that to the clothes he wears here and he almost looks like a young adult instead of a boy in his early teen years. His voice was already different here as well.
Dickon is an interesting character: he is sort of a witch doctor who can predict the future and fate and has a gift with animals. He is also charming and loving.
Colin is, at first, an aggressive and explosive character, but he can't walk and is in a wheel chair - can you blame him? Plus, later in the film he softens his manners and becomes humble.
The ending is both happy and sad. On one hand, Colin can walk again. On the other hand, Dickon is killed in the war.
One last word about the cast: I only don't like the fact that adult Colin is portrayed by Colin Firth. *That* actor bugs me a little, so I'm glad he only appears at the very ending in a minor role (not longer than 1 minute).
The scenario is very good and quite Scotland-like, with green places, forests, rivers... in one word, the wonders of nature.
The adult actors do a reasonable job, but the young actors are definitely the best ones: Gennie James as Mary Lennox, Jadrien Steele as Colin Craven and mostly Barret Oliver as Dickon Sowerby.
This is the first movie I ever saw Barret Oliver portraying a teenager. He was a popular actor in the 80's and he was a fine actor. It's a shame he didn't want to continue doing that, but I understand his reasons.
Here, Barret Oliver was already a handsome teenager, the same way as he was a handsome child. I don't know his height now or then, but he sure looked tall here. Adding that to the clothes he wears here and he almost looks like a young adult instead of a boy in his early teen years. His voice was already different here as well.
Dickon is an interesting character: he is sort of a witch doctor who can predict the future and fate and has a gift with animals. He is also charming and loving.
Colin is, at first, an aggressive and explosive character, but he can't walk and is in a wheel chair - can you blame him? Plus, later in the film he softens his manners and becomes humble.
The ending is both happy and sad. On one hand, Colin can walk again. On the other hand, Dickon is killed in the war.
One last word about the cast: I only don't like the fact that adult Colin is portrayed by Colin Firth. *That* actor bugs me a little, so I'm glad he only appears at the very ending in a minor role (not longer than 1 minute).