Fresh
The result is an instant classic -- rich, dense, resonant, powerful.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
The Secret Garden
The timeless tale of a special place where magic, hope and love grow.
1993 · 1h 41m · G
Drama, Family, Fantasy
Directed by
Agnieszka Holland
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The Secret Garden
Overview
A young British girl born and reared in India loses her neglectful parents in an earthquake. She is returned to England to live at her uncle's castle. Her uncle is very distant due to the loss of his wife ten years before. Neglected once again, she begins exploring the estate and discovers a garden that has been locked and forgotten. Aided by one of the servants' boys, she begins restoring the garden, and eventually discovers some other secrets of the manor.
Director and cast
- Agnieszka Holland Director
- Kate Maberly as Mary Lennox
- Heydon Prowse as Colin Craven
- Andrew Knott as Dickon
- Maggie Smith as Mrs. Medlock
- Irène Jacob as Mary's Mother / Lilias Craven
- Laura Crossley as Martha
- John Lynch as Lord Archibald Craven
- Walter Sparrow as Ben Weatherstaff
- Valerie Hill as Cook
- Andrea Pickering Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
88%
Tomatometer
Fresh
While drawing superb performances from her young leads, Holland has masterfully contrasted the garden -- a place where melodic robins seem almost conversant -- with the dread of Misselthwaite.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
Fresh
The movie's dark themes, unhurried pace and talkiness make it something of a gamble for many children. But older children -- especially those who have been asking specific questions about death -- may find some nourishment in this garden.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Fresh
This enchanted tale vividly shows how love heals and nurtures barren souls, makes them flourish like abundant Edens.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten
Rather than a fresh breeze, it's the stale air of gilded calculation, the uncomfortable feeling that things are excessively "just so," that overhangs much that is genuinely appealing about this film.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
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