Heidi (1993)

Best movie of this year hands down!

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

I always find it interesting how one film can produce such a range of reviews. The reviews for this film, range from a beautifully acted, heartwarming film, suitable for all the family down to absolute rubbish, badly acted and not suitable for under 10's. I personally loved it. I haven't read the book although I am familiar with the story. I found the film moving and was well acted. OK, there are a mixture of accents in the film, but so what. Once you get into the story you wont even notice. For me this film, had the same sort of atmosphere as 'The Secret Garden'. A lovely story. Touching and heartwarming. The acting is good and the scenery magnificent. Watch it and make your own mind up. I am sure you wont be disappointed. Mike

each adaptation is a provocation for viewer. because the shadow of reading is large and high. because the expectations are not little. in this case, all is at perfect place. Noley Thornton shines and Jason Robards is the best grandfather. and, like a good film, it is not exactly an adaptation but a translation not for the book but for its spirit. touching and immersive, fresh and lovely, it gives all gifts who was expected. and this is the key of this Heidy, more realistic than other versions, more close than a family film definition. because it is only a movie for children but , in same measure, for refreshing memories of parents. and the cast, especially ,the great Jason Robards, the smart screenplay writer and , sure, Michael Ray Rhodes makes a good and almost admirable work.

Heidi (1993): Starring Noley Thorton, Jason Robards, Lexi Randall, Jane Seymour, Patricia Neal, Sian Phillips, Jane Hazlegrove, Andrew Bicknell, Ben Brazier, Basil Hoskins..Director Michael Ray Rhodes.Based on the classic turn of the century novel by Johanna Spyri, this Disney film proved to be faithful to the novel and is truly the best adaptation of the many that were made prior to this one which was released in 1993. Filmed on location in the novel's setting of Germany and the Swiss Alps, the film starred Noley Thorton as the eponymous heroine. Heidiis an orphan (in the 19th century if you wanted to make your readers weep you had to make the hero/heroine an orphan, Charles Dickens did it all the time!) who has been adopted by her reclusive curmudgeon grandfather (Jason Robards) who lives in a small home up by the Alps. Later we discover that her grandfather had turned his back on the Church (or the Church had turned THEIR BACK on him and ex-communicated him) and was living alone up by the mountain. Only Heidi and her charming spirited ways gives him happiness now. But Heidi has an Aunt, Fraulein Rottenmeier (Jane Seymour) who lives in Frankfurt, Germany. There she meets her wheel-chair bound cousin Klara. The girls are under tight surveillence and discipline by the staunch and temperamental Fraulein Rottenmier. Jane Seymour didn't ham it up though and plays her in a subtle and tone down way. The film is beautiful and well-acted, with a lot of heart. I remember the first time I saw it was on the Disney Channel. If you're a fan of the old novel, this one is a delight. Heidi is about learning to love again, even after the world has been cold to you. Both the Grandfather and even Fraulein Rottenmeier learn this. The sweetness but reliability of Heidi serves as a redemption to both these older adults. It is interesting how the children in this story are the smarter ones. A well-made film that sadly time has forgotten. I hope it is released on DVD!!!

I've watched at least two of the other Heidi versions, and this is probably my favorite. I liked the Shirley Temple version a lot, too, but this one is very charming and Noley Thornton is very cute as Heidi. I watched an older version of Heidi today, and it was good as well (with Jean Simmons), but it was definately not as good as this one (though they both have their strong points).