Frances Hodgson Burnett's book 'A Little Princess' is a lovely read that warms the heart, and it is hard not to be touched. Or relate to Sara's trials and how she deals with them throughout the book.
Of the three versions personally seen, the others being the 1939 film with Shirley Temple, and the 1995 film directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this 1987 version is by far the best. Both as an adaptation, of which it is by quite some way the most faithful of the three in detail and in spirit, and in spirit. Don't get me wrong, the 1939 and 1995 films from personal opinion are great (the latter being a personal favourite since childhood) but they are more to be judged as stand-alones. This 1987 version is the real thing, and sadly it is the most overlooked of the three, having been lost apparently for a while.
While not as opulent visually as the other two versions, this 'A Little Princess' still looks very pleasing, being beautifully photographed and costumed and the setting of the school is as drab and austere as it should be, it's not meant to be a gorgeous-looking place. Rachel Portman does a wonderful job with the music, very understated and elegant as well as composed in Portman's unmistakable style.
'A Little Princess' is lovingly and faithfully adapted dialogue-wise, flowing naturally and delivered with sincere passion. While a long adaptation, it is not overlong, instead it is a fitting and necessary length and paced in a way that makes the storytelling nuanced but always engaging. Throughout the storytelling is heart-warming, touching (the beggar girl scene), sometimes uplifting and at other times a little frightening in a subtle way, Sara's extraordinary imagination really comes alive and her trials and how she deals with them are immediately identifiable.
Characters are all true to personality, with the truest interpretation of Sara for all the adaptations. Whether she was a little too old doesn't matter in the slightest, Amelia Shankley looked the part of Sara and acted her with dignified brilliance, not in the least bit bratty. Maureen Lipman is a suitably beastly Miss Minchen and Miriam Margoyles steals scenes as Miss Amelia.
Natalie Abbott's Becky is affecting, and Nigel Havers portrays Carrisford with sincerity. Tariq Alibai's Ram Dass is a heart-warming presence and all the other children are very well acted.
Overall, wonderful and the best 'A Little Princess' adaptation. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Of the three versions personally seen, the others being the 1939 film with Shirley Temple, and the 1995 film directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this 1987 version is by far the best. Both as an adaptation, of which it is by quite some way the most faithful of the three in detail and in spirit, and in spirit. Don't get me wrong, the 1939 and 1995 films from personal opinion are great (the latter being a personal favourite since childhood) but they are more to be judged as stand-alones. This 1987 version is the real thing, and sadly it is the most overlooked of the three, having been lost apparently for a while.
While not as opulent visually as the other two versions, this 'A Little Princess' still looks very pleasing, being beautifully photographed and costumed and the setting of the school is as drab and austere as it should be, it's not meant to be a gorgeous-looking place. Rachel Portman does a wonderful job with the music, very understated and elegant as well as composed in Portman's unmistakable style.
'A Little Princess' is lovingly and faithfully adapted dialogue-wise, flowing naturally and delivered with sincere passion. While a long adaptation, it is not overlong, instead it is a fitting and necessary length and paced in a way that makes the storytelling nuanced but always engaging. Throughout the storytelling is heart-warming, touching (the beggar girl scene), sometimes uplifting and at other times a little frightening in a subtle way, Sara's extraordinary imagination really comes alive and her trials and how she deals with them are immediately identifiable.
Characters are all true to personality, with the truest interpretation of Sara for all the adaptations. Whether she was a little too old doesn't matter in the slightest, Amelia Shankley looked the part of Sara and acted her with dignified brilliance, not in the least bit bratty. Maureen Lipman is a suitably beastly Miss Minchen and Miriam Margoyles steals scenes as Miss Amelia.
Natalie Abbott's Becky is affecting, and Nigel Havers portrays Carrisford with sincerity. Tariq Alibai's Ram Dass is a heart-warming presence and all the other children are very well acted.
Overall, wonderful and the best 'A Little Princess' adaptation. 10/10 Bethany Cox