The Secret Garden

Name: The Secret Garden
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Family
Released: August 13, 1993
Duration: 101 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Andrew Knott, Frank Baker, Heydon Prowse, Irène Jacob, John Lynch

1993

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Ratings

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The Secret Garden

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: August 13, 1993 | G

Starring: Andrew Knott, Frank Baker, Heydon Prowse, Irène Jacob, John Lynch, Kate Maberly, Laura Crossley, Maggie Smith, Valerie Hill, Walter Sparrow

Summary: A young, recently-orphaned girl is sent to England after living in India all her life. Once there, she begins to explore her new, seemingly-isolated surroundings -- and its secrets.

Director: Agnieszka Holland

Genre(s): Drama, Fantasy, Family

Rating: G

Runtime: 101 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Like all great stories for children, The Secret Garden contains powerful truths just beneath the surface. There is always a level at which the story is telling children about more than just events; it is telling them about the nature of life. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Executed to near perfection in all artistic departments, this superior adaptation of the perennial favorite novel will find its core public among girls , but should prove satisfying enough to a range of audiences to make it a solid performer for Warner Bros.' family entertainment banner. Read full review

Steve McKerrow

Sparkling, believable performances by young actors, the steadying presence of veteran Maggie Smith, an elegant musical score by Zbigniew Preisner (including a song co-written with Linda Rondstadt) and, especially, an uncommon respect for the stately pace of the source combine to make a lovely movie. Read full review

Kate Fillion

The 1949 film version was definitively a tear-jerker. But Holland, too, has opted for a faithful adaptation, which starts out tart and winds up treacly. [14 Aug 1993]

James Berardinelli

The Secret Garden combines drama, fantasy, and a little bit of light Gothic horror (the old house with its strange noises). The film is visually stunning, from the eerie insides of Misselthwaite Manor to the time-lapse photography of blooming flowers. Zbigniew Preisner's score adds to the atmosphere without ever becoming obvious or intrusive. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

Though it can get laborious, and produces the odd unintended chuckle, The Secret Garden is charming and sometimes chillingly authentic. Read full review

Jackie Potts

It's a gorgeous pastiche of flowers and Gothic architecture that, like a painting on a museum wall, never quite involves the viewer. You'll be momentarily enchanted, then forget it entirely. [14 Aug 1993, p.G5]

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User Reviews

kyle20ellis

Mar 13, 2022

Some people complained the makers changed the message of the book. They didn't, or I don't think so anyway. If that was the case, that was the only thing they changed. The script is focused and the direction masterful. The book in my opinion is one of the most enchanting children's booksSome people complained the makers changed the message of the book. They didn't, or I don't think so anyway. If that was the case, that was the only thing they changed. The script is focused and the direction masterful. The book in my opinion is one of the most enchanting children's books ever written. The film is equally enchanting, and the director manages to spoof a spirited performance from the lovely Kate Maberly. Haydn Prowse was great as Colin, and John Lynch is suitably melancholy as the uncle. Stealing the show, however, was Maggie Smith as Mrs Medlock, the truly beastly housekeeper. The film itself looks beautiful thanks to the stunning cinematography, and I loved the Gothic darkness tone retained from the book. Another mention is the haunting and poignant music score, that makes me cry. What does work best of all is its simplicity though. I thoroughly recommend this and Little Princess, 10/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

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alejandro970

Dec 22, 2019

Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett book, this is good example about still is possible adapt classics opus that appreciate kids and grownups. It is faithfully to original and the whole cast makes it work as well.

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