powermandan
Alec Guinness is one of my favourite actors. But I am still oblivious to some of his best works. Wanting to watch one of his movies on Youtube, I came across this. Not knowing anything about this, I was surprised at everything that came at me. I laughed, cried, I loved everything about this. As a made-for-TV British movie, a truly delightful and funny movie was not at all what I expected. I thought that this was going to be a serious drama with Guinness giving a strong portrayal I know and love. Instead, there's little Ricky Schroeder who finds out he is the heir of an Earl (played by Alec Guinness), who is his grandfather in England. Schroeder is our main character, a ten-year-old (roughly) blond-haired, cute kid who brightens up everybody's day. He was just what I needed to see. When he gets to England, his cuteness, kindness and honesty does not fit with everybody else. At first the Earl is annoyed, but he, along with everybody else wins the affection of of his grandson. Schroeder is so real and talented, unlike every young actor in the world today. And Guinness does give a powerful performance I was seeking. The chemistry of him starting all grouchy then becoming lovable was very nice to see. He also packed in lots of emotion into his role, which made it that much better. This is so pleasant and delightful. It made me so happy!
katkats5150
I love this movie. Well done and well acted - a wonderful family film, especially for Christmas. It is heartwarming, has beautiful scenes and is a fantastic movie for kids and adults. It holds a wonderful message, for the Christmas season and is just a joy to watch, with your family. This movie has become a favorite Christmas tradition, for my home, along with Rudolph and the Grinch. I wore my VHS tape out, to the point of it snapping apart. For some reason, it is hard to find on DVD or VHS, although it can be found...for a price. However, I found it on YouTube, for FREE, in it's entirety, with no interruptions. So, go to YouTube, download it, and ENJOY, before somebody removes it! There are a few online stores that carry it, on DVD, but it costs about $30, not including shipping. I would suggest just going to YouTube and downloading to a disc, for yourselves.
lalilover
I love this film and think it is criminal that it isn't out on DVD for everyone to enjoy. It is Alec Guiness at his best --as good as Star Wars--and Little Ricky Schroder as perfectly as the author wrote the book. The mother is great and all the supporting cast too. The beauty of English countryside and of New York are wonderful. The lines are terrific. The mother's speech about American values and the lawyers prejudice of English countryside are just fantastic. I have a worn VHS tape from the TV of it that may break any year now. so I really would like it out on DVD. A great children's or Cmas film. I put it up to the level with "It's a Wonderful Life."!!!
imbwoc
The young Rick(y) Schroder is delightful as the displaced and uprooted Little Lord Fauntleroy/Ceddie. Consider the beautiful English countryside as an important member of a stellar cast; mixed together it would be difficult to make anything but an excellent film. That innocent young Fauntleroy melts the heart of his cantankerous grandfather played by Alec Guinness is hardly surprising. It is the typical Christmas good overcoming evil theme in the best Charles Dickens tradition. It is the path of the film, the actors and the setting that make this a jewel. The plot goes something like this: Grandfather sends for grandson.Grandson assumes love, Grandfather is looking for an heir. Heir becomes loved grandson. There are subplots of grandfather not liking American mother/daughter-in-law and refusing to acknowledge her; the deplorable conditions of the estate's workers; and a contender for heir to the title and estate.I watched this gem when it first aired and have watched my poorly transferred VHS copy yearly since (in my household it wouldn't be Christmas without it).I long for this made-for-TV movie to be released on a remastered DVD.
AD
