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Secret Garden
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by MGM (Warner)
Sales Rank: 327
Price: $14.98
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The Secret Garden is a classic story about a girl named Mary from India (Margaret O'Brien) who comes to live with her uncle in England after her parents are killed in a cholera epidemic. She's quite a bratty girl who is left to play outside with the maid's brother Dickon (Brian Roper). The two eventually become friends and try to unravel the mysteries of the strange house and bond over discovering a secret passage into the locked garden just outside. They also discover an even brattier boy that lives in the house, Colin (Dean Stockwell) who is crippled and confined to the house. The three form a team to enjoy the garden the way it should be enjoyed. <br /> <br />There are many metaphors in this film, many of them come alive when Mary tells her stories. She speaks of the garden as a magical place where adults can never go, somewhere safe and special for children only. Fortunately, this film makes all those things normally reserved for children come alive in adults too. It captures one's imagination and makes one feel like a kid again. <br /> <br />Each one of the children is wonderful in the movie. O'Brien is convincing as a snobbish girl who transitions into a wise girl with motherly tendencies. Stockwell mirrors her brattiness, but also reforms quite nicely. Roper is wonderful as the intelligent friend, a kind boy with a fondness for life. <br /> <br />The best part of the film is the way the garden is exhibited. To make the screen come alive, all the scenes in the garden are shot in technicolor. It is a brilliant way to demonstrate the importance of the interior and to display its abounding beauty.
Viewer Reviews
I love this movie!Since I was around 5 or 6 years old,this film has been one of my favorites.The original book is a timeless classic for all ages.Out of all the film adaptations,this one is tied with the Hallmark one as my favorite.It perfectly recreates the eerie feel of the manor and the moors it is built upon.The black and white appearance of the film are made for this type of piece.Also,when the film switches to technicolor for the garden scenes,the effect is stunning.It makes for a seamless transition from the somber outside world into the pleasant magic of the garden.In addition to this,the acting is wonderful.Margaret O'Brien is the ideal choice to play Mary Lennox.She manages to make the transition from nasty child to nice child seem real and convincing.She is also very likable in the part even at her bratiest stage.Aside from her,the rest of the cast is also excellent with all of the child actors showing surprisingly strong talent.Indeed,if more child actors in present times had this much talent,more family films would actually be tolerable to watch.As it is,this film is a masterpiece.It is an excellent addition to any one's movie collection.
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Secret Garden
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