Outdoorsy Type Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 We are currently reading "A Little Princess" and I want to watch the best film adaptation when we finish. So far my boys love this book. Who knew! :D Even my three year old listens and can answer questions. I'm searching Netflix and I see the Shirley Temple version, a British version, and one from 1995 that is an instant play. Any recommendation? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ELaurie Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 but if they are enjoying A Little Princess, be sure the read The Secret Garden and Little Lord Fauntleroy by the same author. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 My kids enjoyed the 1995 version. Dd liked the Shirley Temple version the first time, but not so much after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwordedHip Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 We loved the 1995 version.:001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXBeth Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 I think the 1995 version is great, and I loved the Shirley Temple version as a child. My only beef with the newer one is that Sara is supposed to be only 7, and the actress who plays her is probably 11 or 12. This must be a pet peeve of mine, because Judy Garland almost makes me hate The Wizard of Oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoorsy Type Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 I added both Shirley Temple and the 1995 version to Instant Queue. Thanks for the reviews! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurelia Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 We like both the 1995 and Shirley Temple versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 As a book purist even as a child, I greatly disliked the Shirley Temple version :tongue_smilie:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 The 1995 version is closest to the book. While I like the Shirley Temple version - the ending is not at all like the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Totally biased here - Shirley Temple version is my favorite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hate the Shirley Temple version. There's a complete change in the plot--in the book, her papa was investing in diamond mines, got "brain fever" when it was thought that they were worthless and that he'd been betrayed by a friend, and died. Her papa's friend moved next door to Miss Minchin's, where Sara was living, and began searching for Sara when it was found out that the diamond mines really were worth a tremendous lot of money. In the ST movie, Sara's papa fights in the Boer War, and is presumed dead. He isn't. It's a total screw up of the book. As far as Sara being played by an older actress, well, Sara does age in the book. Although she is 7 when she first comes to the Seminary, she is, I think, 12 when her papa dies. The best version, I think, is the Wonderworks version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Is there actually a movie version like the book, because I have never seen one where her father really dies? I like the 1995 version as far as filming and acting go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Is there actually a movie version like the book, because I have never seen one where her father really dies? I like the 1995 version as far as filming and acting go. The Wonderworks version! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hate the Shirley Temple version, love the 1995 version, but neither one of them follows the plot line of the book. In this instance, I think the film version has the better ending. And I never think that about an altered movie. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hate the Shirley Temple version, love the 1995 version, but neither one of them follows the plot line of the book. In this instance, I think the film version has the better ending. And I never think that about an altered movie. :lol: I had recently watched that 1995 version - and I totally forgot that the ending was different from the book! Wish the Wonderworks version was available on Netflix. But you are right - the ending was good even if different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) This version is by far the best, and it is true to the book in that the father dies. I think it is the 1986 version? I grew up with a VHS of this version, so I guess I'm biased, but I really love it. It's sort of on Netflix in that you can "Save" it. ETA: On Netflix, all the reviewers say it is the closest to the book of any movie. ETA Again: I actually found the entire movie in 10 minute chunks on YouTube, if you were willing to do that since I can't find it anywhere else. Here's the first one, and you should be able to go from there. Edited June 1, 2011 by MeaganS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeaganS Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 OK, so for myself, I just went through and found all the pieces of my favorite version of A Little Princess on YouTube and made a playlist for them in order. If anyone cares, here's a link to that playlist. It should have the complete movie. ETA: Apparently this is the Wonderworks version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morosophe Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Yeah, the '95 version really irked me. I think it was the weird mysticism aspect and the funky special effects, although the fact that things were played much more for comedic effect was a little frustrating, too. I mean, this is a book of dramatic reversals written for little kids--it's all about the gasps, not the giggles. But I can't really remember, because it's been so long since I've seen it and I hated it--I'm not going to watch it again! Now I want to check out this BBC/Wonderworks version. It sounds cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsKriknav Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hate the Shirley Temple version. There's a complete change in the plot--in the book, her papa was investing in diamond mines, got "brain fever" when it was thought that they were worthless and that he'd been betrayed by a friend, and died. Her papa's friend moved next door to Miss Minchin's, where Sara was living, and began searching for Sara when it was found out that the diamond mines really were worth a tremendous lot of money. In the ST movie, Sara's papa fights in the Boer War, and is presumed dead. He isn't. It's a total screw up of the book. As far as Sara being played by an older actress, well, Sara does age in the book. Although she is 7 when she first comes to the Seminary, she is, I think, 12 when her papa dies. The best version, I think, is the Wonderworks version. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 OK, so for myself, I just went through and found all the pieces of my favorite version of A Little Princess on YouTube and made a playlist for them in order. If anyone cares, here's a link to that playlist. It should have the complete movie. ETA: Apparently this is the Wonderworks version. Thanks so much!! (Now I only wish the wi-fi on the blu-ray player would work decently!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatDilan Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 My children and I make a habit of watching several film/tv versions of a story we liked in its original literary form. We then discuss the variations and why they might have been made. So I vote for watching a couple of versions. This was particularly interesting recently, when we read Hansel & Gretel. In the original story, the father is not such a good guy, conceding to help the wicked step-mother in abandoning his own children in the woods. Yet, in the end, Hansel & Gretel return to him with a bunch of treasure from the witches house. He ends up rich and happy without consequence. All the film/tv versions adjust the plot to make him a good guy by having the step-mother trick him in some way. One version had no step-mother at all. The kids just got lost picking berries. We got to discuss the push for a truely happy ending, especially in children's stories, and the reality of injustice and unhappy endings in real life. We discussed "sheltering" of children from difficult issues, etc. It really became quite a discussion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto2Cs Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I think the 1995 version is great, and I loved the Shirley Temple version as a child. My only beef with the newer one is that Sara is supposed to be only 7, and the actress who plays her is probably 11 or 12. This must be a pet peeve of mine, because Judy Garland almost makes me hate The Wizard of Oz. I was just always thankful Shirley Temple did NOT get this role as was originally planned. Then it just would have been another cute Shirley Temple movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 I think the 1995 version is great, and I loved the Shirley Temple version as a child. My only beef with the newer one is that Sara is supposed to be only 7, and the actress who plays her is probably 11 or 12. This must be a pet peeve of mine, because Judy Garland almost makes me hate The Wizard of Oz. Well, the book begins when she's 7 and ends at 14, with her father's death occuring at age 11 -- without using two actresses, compromising on an 11 year old seems reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest princesslucy2 Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Having seen all three versions and read the book I will say this if you want the most faithful adaptation that sticks to the story and really shows the book for what it was go for the 1986 version produced by Wonderwork and PBS in 1986 because they did it right and Amelia Shankley was a very convincing Sara ,also they did a better job showing her go from a healthy well cared for little girl to a drudge none of the other two movies did that just by making her hair look unkempt and adding dirt smudges the change was evident . They had the Carmichael family who were very important and Mr. Carrisford The version with the most emotional scenes and music would have to be the 1995 ,I do like this one too because of the music and emotional reunion also because Liesel Matthews also does do a good job as Sara,keeping to the traits of Sara Do not get the 1939 version Shirley Temple is just too overly sweet to be a good Sara she was not very convincing . There is a ridiculous subplot concerning a teacher and riding instructor ,plus they had no scenes with Ermengarde who was Sara' s closest friend or Lottie who Sara took under her wing it was these characters among others that let Sara show who she truly was. Also the deus ex machina was unrealistic ,I mean how convenient the Queen is at the hospital ,at least in the 1995 version the deus ex machina was more realistic Sara tragically calling Papa over and over as she's dragged away by the police snaps something inside him and he remembers who she is was a very emotional scene also because she actually believed her Father was dead until she saw him makes the reunion that much more powerful ,but in the 1939 she refused to believe to the point of annoyance the reunion was just a "eh whatever" moment because it was bound to happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 I think the newer version is good! My son also loved this book (he read it on his own). He loved Little Lord Fauntleroy, too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momma2three Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 Having seen all three versions and read the book I will say this if you want the most faithful adaptation that sticks to the story and really shows the book for what it was go for the 1986 version produced by Wonderwork and PBS in 1986 because they did it right and Amelia Shankley was a very convincing Sara ,also they did a better job showing her go from a healthy well cared for little girl to a drudge none of the other two movies did that just by making her hair look unkempt and adding dirt smudges the change was evident . They had the Carmichael family who were very important and Mr. Carrisford The version with the most emotional scenes and music would have to be the 1995 ,I do like this one too because of the music and emotional reunion also because Liesel Matthews also does do a good job as Sara,keeping to the traits of Sara Do not get the 1939 version Shirley Temple is just too overly sweet to be a good Sara she was not very convincing . There is a ridiculous subplot concerning a teacher and riding instructor ,plus they had no scenes with Ermengarde who was Sara' s closest friend or Lottie who Sara took under her wing it was these characters among others that let Sara show who she truly was. Also the deus ex machina was unrealistic ,I mean how convenient the Queen is at the hospital ,at least in the 1995 version the deus ex machina was more realistic Sara tragically calling Papa over and over as she's dragged away by the police snaps something inside him and he remembers who she is was a very emotional scene also because she actually believed her Father was dead until she saw him makes the reunion that much more powerful ,but in the 1939 she refused to believe to the point of annoyance the reunion was just a "eh whatever" moment because it was bound to happen Oh wow, I never knew there was a version that was actually true to the book! I have to admit I dislike all the movies on principle because they all eliminate the diamond mines and make the father actually alive. That's not how it's supposed to happen at all! Agree that I particularly loathe the Shirley Temple version. The 1996 version is nicely done, and the girl does a good job playing Sara. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 We enjoyed the 1986 TV mini-series (I think it orignally aired on the old "Wonderworks" show) of a Little Princess. And if you go on to read The Secret Garden, the 1993 film is absolutely lovely and magical. Same producer who did the absolutely beautiful 1979 film version of The Black Stallion. And one more beautiful -- and poignant -- children's film as a must-see: The Secret of Roan Innish (1994). Enjoy! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 We enjoyed the 1986 TV mini-series (I think it orignally aired on the old "Wonderworks" show) of a Little Princess. And if you go on to read The Secret Garden, the 1993 film is absolutely lovely and magical. Same producer who did the absolutely beautiful 1979 film version of The Black Stallion. And one more beautiful -- and poignant -- children's film as a must-see: The Secret of Roan Innish (1994). Enjoy! Warmest regards, Lori D. I only recently saw "The Secret of Roan Innish" and I agree, it's a beautifully done film. Also, I haven't seen the 1986 version of LP - thanks to everyone for recommending it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 A Little Princess was one of my favorite childhood books, but I must admit that I do like the Shirley Temple version. I like the 1995 version better though. I've never the other one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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