Bradley Pierce, Hugh Laurie, Jim Broadbent

The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical pra...( read more  read more... )ise in 1998. The "Borrowers" of the title are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, etc.) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in theaters, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favorite. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

49% liked it

16,747 ratings

Critics

70% liked it

23 critics

PG, 1 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Peter Hewitt, Peter Hewitt (I)

Release Date: December 31, 1997

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DVD Release Date: August 19, 1998

Stats: 1,042 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,042)


  • December 29, 2008
    This is a bit like 'Mousehunt' and 'Stuart Little'. Big versus small. Tiny people live in the floorboards of ordinary people's houses. Lots of fun adventure. Ever wondered what happens to your batteries or dental floss or when your roller skate goes missing. Ask the borrowers. St...( read more)ars John Goodman.
  • August 20, 2007
    A solid decent film that provides intrigue and keeps you entertained throughout.
  • June 9, 2007
    I read the book a long time ago.
  • May 31, 2007
    So cute.
  • December 31, 2006
    Pretty good movie.
  • October 15, 2009
    Really funny. I'ts quite cool how they run all over the house and they are so funny too and really cute!
  • October 14, 2009
    I'm such a kid at heart. This is a very good movie for the family. I've haven't seen it in a long time and will definitely be on the look out to buy.
  • October 14, 2009
    To bad it couldn't have been more like the books, but still a good movie.
  • October 7, 2009
    Borrowers my ass ya stealing shit.
  • September 13, 2009
    Oh I dont like Hugh Laurie...he is the 3rd guy on my "never" list (behind Vince Vaughn and Jeremy Piven).

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • lauras19891
    August 10, 2007
    wat an ace folm i just baught it on dvd again2day and i love it!!!!

    bless tom felton in awesome as peagreen!!
  • dolphinprincess2187
    July 27, 2007
    I've seen this movie, but sadly I don't remember much. Wish I remembered Tom. I watched a clip today and he was sooooooo cute! LOL
  • gingerhowdy
    June 12, 2007
    Aye!! i agree
  • pirates4lifepotc364
    May 17, 2007
    OMg tom was sooooooo Cute !! in it!! but now he is HOT!!
  • xXLittleSparrowXx
    May 8, 2007
    Tom Felton was the little red head brother...he's a good actor, this movie is so cute!
  • millymoo203
    April 3, 2007
    Who was Tom Felton in it? I saw it about 8 years ago and I can barely remember it! I didn't know he was even in it! That's a cool piece of news.

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The Borrowers Trivia


  • Which child actor from the Harry Potter series stared as Peagreen in 'The Borrowers' and louis in 'Anna and the King'?  Answer »
  • who was Fred Flintstone and house grabbing lawyer in the Borrowers?  Answer »
  • 'Pod Clock' was the father of a family in which movie?  Answer »
  • Which actor was a tiny little boy in The Borrowers, a schoolteacher's son in Anna and the King, and a DeathEather's son in Harry Potter?  Answer »

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