A Little Princess

Well no. My Dad didn't call me a princess, and that's because I'm a guy. But after seeing this movie, I was really beginning to wish I was. "A Little Princess" is quite simply amazing. It is the most magical family movie there is. I just can't recommend it high enough. I saw this at the movie theater, 7 times and it is quite easily my favorite film of all time.

Set in 1914, "A Little Princess" tells the story of a girl called Sara who goes to a strict boarding school while her father from England goes to fight the War. The school is run by a mean spirited head teacher called Miss Minchin. From the start, Miss Minchin is jealous of Sara who considers herself to be a princess. After all, her Papa has told her that she will always be his little princess. Despite the harshness of Miss Minchin, Sara continues to fill those around her with magic as she tells stories to them of a beautiful princess and her prince.

The emotion begins early in this movie, firstly being when Sara and her Papa say goodbye as he goes into war. Midway through the movie Sara hears that her Papa has been killed in battle. I have to say, when I watched this I was gone. Ok I wasn't gone yet, but I was holding the tears in. Actress Liesel Matthews who plays Sara is so genuine, and director Alfonso Cuaron definitely brings out the best in her. It is at the end which is complimented by the music of Patrick Doyle, that I really did feel a few tears going by my face. It happened just after Sara realized she may truly have lost her father forever.

The DVD itself just has a trailer and it would be great if it had more extras, but the moie is just so wonderful that you have to buy this DVD. In addition, the subtle Dolby Digital 5.1 is just right for a movie such as this.

"A Little Princess" made my heart feel so much, and I really felt like a girl, getting upset over a family movie like this. I guess I was getting in touch with my inner princess. Maybe I am a princess after all.


Every girl dreams of being a princess!   April 17, 2001
Rebecca Johnson (Washington State)
21 out of 24 found this review helpful

If you remember seeing Shirley Temple in the 1939 "The Little Princess," this is the same basic plot with a wonderful new twist. The story is based on the beloved classic by the same author of The Secret Garden.

The movie opens with some stunningly beautiful scenes from India and all too suddenly Sara Crewe must leave with her father who is being called away for military duties. Sara has to go live in a New York boarding school. Through her experiences she learns to survive in the world and takes each day as it comes. Her vivid imagination is a pure delight and when she tells her magical stories, they are played out in a fairy tale like way onscreen. This contrasts with her real life at the school.

Sara's fun-loving spirit does get her into trouble from time to time. Overall, she is just used to living with her father and being free to do mostly what she likes. In her new school she has to follow many rules. She draws strength from her father's words to help her believe in herself. He tells her that she will always be his little princess.

A wonderful movie which shows that if we make the best of our circumstances, we will be blessed in the end. Five stars for storytelling magic!

~The Rebecca Review


Watch this film for its own merits, not as an adaption!   April 25, 2000
J. Hauer
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

If you are familiar with the classic children's novel of the same title, you may find this film adaptation to be lacking. But, when you watch the movie on its own, it is an absolutely lovely and charming film that is appropriate for any age. I originally skipped this movie in the theatres because it was billed as a "children's film" and I'm sorry I missed it on the big screen.

Some other reviewers have remarked upon some problems with the acting. With the exception of some caricatures in characterization with the adult roles, I didn't have any problems with that aspect of the production. Liesel Matthews does a bang up job in the lead as Sara Crewe and I hope she has a long and successful career.

As far as extras are concerned, there aren't a lot on this DVD. There's no commentary track but you do get both a pan & scan and a widescreen version. There are both French and Spanish soundtracks and captioning as well as three theatrical trailers and some production notes. This is a very well produced disc for the price and a good value.


a wonderfully sweet film.   April 30, 2000
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

ok. i'm a guy. and i watch this film. and i cry. this has happened several times. i hate it. and i still watch the film.

on dvd, the colors and cinematography pop out beautifully. gorgeous. also, the music sounds lush and engulfing.

i missed this film at the movies. wish i hadn't. first, i think the movie would be experienced better on the big screen. second, i would love hollywood to get the message to make more films like this (well acted, well written, well thought out, etc.) of course, the downside would be walking out of the theater with those tears streaming down my face.

not a real guy thing to do.


A Beautiful Film, But NOT Burnett's "Princess."   June 5, 2000
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

"A Little Princess" is, simply put, a beautiful film. The cinematography, sets, music and lighting are top-notch. The scenes in India are particularly gorgeous. The acting is, by and large, superb. As a film, it works.

As an adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved classic, however, this film doesn't come very close. As the 1939 Shirley Temple version, this "LP" simply appropriates the characters' names and the vague situation. Most of the action in the second half of the film--including the discovery of the attic room, the ashes incident, the wild chase and the ending--are from the Temple picture, not the book.

Similarly, the characters deviate significantly from those described in the book. Liesel Matthews is excellent, but she does not have the personality of Burnett's Sara Crewe. Amelia Minchin and Lavinia are both given more sympathetic portrayals, and so forth.

This is a fine movie, but it should be viewed as such, not as an adaptation of the fine novel.