mark.waltz Fantastic has several different definitions. This isn't the fantastic of an excellent job, or fantastik as a ads cleanser. Nor is this "The Fantastiks" of a musical that refuses to close for more than a few years at a time. Another definition of fantastic is strangely absurd, of which this is.Two rather strange cookies of a juvenile age decide to take an adventure to New York City where they camp out in the Metropolitan museum of art, sleeping on ancient beds and trying to solve the mystery of a new piece of art whom one of the adolescents believes to have been carved by Michelangelo. A mysterious recluse is their key to finding out the truth, which leads me to just one question, "Why?"This was a popular children's story written with the obvious intention of getting them interested in art. Certainly, the visuals of many of the actual exhibits are fascinating, most of them still there. Vintage shots of Manhattan are always a welcome sight. Ingrid Bergman, on the verge of winning a third Oscar, is headlined but is just a bit more than an extended cameo. She is obviously trying to emulate fellow Swede Greta Garbo with her mystery. Sally Prager and Johnny Doran are wacky kids, older sister and younger brother who somehow seem to get along with little annoyance. Madeline Kahn as a bit as a befuddled teacher in the museum with Georgeann Johnson and Richard Milligan as the children's parents. A card game between Doran and Bergman makes me think of how a remake with Shirley MacLaine would be, even though it's already been remade with Lauren Bacall. I don't think this was actually meant to be filmed, as this original version for the big screen quickly flopped and ended up being re-titled for home video. Slow moving in spots, it's one of those curious '70's flops that has an element of morbid curiosity.

Chase_Witherspoon Enchanting family film depicts the overnight adventures of two siblings from a wealthy family who hideaway overnight in the local museum to cure their boredom. They become fascinated with a statue and find that its previous owner (Bergman), while reclusive and seemingly unkind, is actually a benevolent art lover who becomes taken with the older sister in whom she sees her reflection as an adolescent.Bergman is heavily caked in make-up and is consequently witch-like in appearance, but her elegance remains unmistakable. Her affection for the little girl is heart-warming, revealing the treasures she and her late husband coveted and offers a glimpse into her lonely, withdrawn existence since the death of her beloved. For a brief moment, her enthusiasm and kind-heartedness is restored by the presence of the youngsters and as Bergman's character closes in freeze frame, you wonder if their impact will be long-lasting.I found the film's score moving, the scenery colourful and the characterisations earnest. Overall, an unexpectedly humble but enjoyable picture elevated by Bergman's presence and a little bit special as a result.

Xynhrst That's about it - imagine running away from home, living in a tree-house and having great adventures. This film was fantastic fun. It may not be highbrow art, but it is a fun film for the kids!The other guy who commented on this film was obviously looking for something more adult and intelligent. I found that this film was well meaning and had good moral standing. It is a film to take you on a journey and allow you to see things that you otherwise would not. A good exploration of posh kids meeting with street kids, alien experiences like living alone and being self-sufficient. Very entertaining for a young mind hungry for stimulation. It is about friendships and trust, independence and coming of age. Fighting your own battles and finding yourself. I really liked this film when I saw it the first time in the 80's on television. I think I would enjoy it again, although I doubt I would watch it unless I chanced upon on television one night. I would consider watching it if I have kids, I would like them to see it.

Valerie Garber I loved E. L. Konigsberg's book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. It is one of a few books that I remember fairly vividly from childhood, and I recently read it with my son, so we decided to watch this movie. I liked the movie, and thought that the children and Ingrid Bergman all gave fine performances. However, the movie differs from the book on minor details that I could see no rationale for changing (saying that Mrs. BEF lived in New Jersey, rather than Connecticut, for example). Mainly, though, I was very disappointed in the way the story ends in the movie in comparison to the book. In the book, Mrs. BEF gives the children a time limit and lets them figure out the answer to the mystery themselves. But in the movie, Mrs. BEF leaves Jamie playing cards with her butler, while she takes Claudia to another part of the house, where Mrs. BEF essentially solves the mystery for Claudia. I would still recommend the movie, but it's not nearly as good as the book.