SweetPea55
Having seen several film versions of "Heidi", this one does seem to follow the story line of the children's novel written by Swiss author, Johanna Spyri, better than many of the others. However, being of Swiss descent and having visited Switzerland many times, the lack of authenticity really ruined it for me. The scenery, architecture, clothing and other details looked "off" to me from the start, and you'd think the actors could at least have had German, not English, accents. There is a scene where some village girls in traditional costume, carrying a Maypole of sorts (which is not a Swiss custom), greet Heidi and her grandfather...and the costumes are definitely not Swiss. The two goats' names, Schwänli (Little Swan) and Bärli (Little Bear), which are not difficult names to pronounce and are part of the English translations of the book, were substituted with two goofy "Americanized" names, Dusty and Daisy. After all, this IS a story set in Switzerland and Germany, and deserves to be portrayed accurately. As the movie progressed, it felt more and more like I was watching the film version of a Charles Dickens novel, not one by Johanna Spyri. Of course, when the film got to the credits, all was revealed: it was produced in the UK, and filmed in Wales and Slovenia. Really? The film story line was on the right track...but it's too bad it didn't go a step further and get the details right.
durkinportraits
Overall this is our favorite version of Heidi in film. We purchased it and extra copies of the novel for gifts. Our family watched this movie anticipating the same cutesy antics and departures from the novel as before but were surprised to find this one quite close to the book. It is a bit more somber than the book in my view but this adds a real 19th century feel anyway. Emma Bolger plays Heidi with enough childlike charm, her shining eyes and sweet grin helped me forgive a few tiny flaws in her young acting. Max Von Sydow plays Grandfather immaculately with the right amount of grumpiness and compassion. The best performance I think is Del Synott as Sebastian the butler! The only thing I wish the director would have done differently is to spend more time on Heidi's enjoyment in the pastures. I recommend watching this movie then going back to the read the book once again if it has been awhile. It is a truly heartwarming story.
mtr0118
As soon as I seen this picture, I remembered an animated older version of Joanna Spryii's story of the Swiss orphan girl Heidi. Even though the 1937 Shirley Temple Version still stands out for a stellar performance, this version is very decent and adaptable when it comes to touching drama. The choice for Heidi's grandpa could of not been better portrayed by Sweedish screen legend Max Von Sydow. He brings a lot of respect to the character in difference with the portrayal Jason Robards Jr. did in the 1995 Disney version. Though Robards did fairly good, at times I laughed when others considered him a monstrous old bum. Von Sydow is too meek for that type of comment. His aura and decades of experience may have saved this film. Good thing he portrayed Christ back in 1965 in The Greatest Story Ever Told.
movingpicturegal
Well done version of the classic story of the orphaned young girl, Heidi (played by Emma Bolger), sent to live with her hermit grandfather in his cabin away up high in the Swiss Alps. Grandfather is an unwelcoming, gruff old man, but he very soon takes a real shine to sweet little Heidi - and Heidi takes to her new environment like a duck to water. Sadly for both, she is soon swept away by her unkind/greedy aunt to live with a rich Frankfurt household as the playmate of a wheelchair-bound girl named Clara - but lively young Heidi soon adds some spark of life to the whole house, much to the chagrin of the meanie housekeeper, a really nasty woman in black who rules the roost with an iron fist.I have seen a number of filmed versions of this story, I found this version to be one of the best. All the actors are perfectly cast in this, I really think Max von Sydow is *the* perfect choice for the grandfather in this story and Geraldine Chaplin is suitably despicable in her portrayal of the housekeeper. Emma Bolger is an adorable and charming young actress who gives a very endearing performance, just as she does in her memorable portrayal of Ariel in the film "In America". The mountain scenery in this film is very atmospheric and gorgeously photographed, the orchestral score is really wonderful. An especially lovely and heartfelt family film, full of charm. Recommended.
AD
