Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott

Filmed before (and quite nicely) in 1949, Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic children's story was remade for this admirable 1993 release, executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola and directed by accl...( read more  read more... )aimed Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland. Splendidly adapted by Edward Scissorhands screenwriter Caroline Thompson, the film opens in India during the early 1900s, when young Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly) is orphaned and sent to England to live in Misselthwaite Manor, the gloomy estate of her brooding and melancholy uncle, Lord Craven (John Lynch). Because the uncle is almost always away on travels, struggling to forget the death of his beloved wife, Mary is left mostly alone to explore the estate. Eventually she befriends the young brother of a staff maid and Lord Craven's apparently crippled son, who has been needlessly bedridden for years. Together the three children restore a neglected garden on the estate grounds, and in doing so they set the stage for a moving reaffirmation of life and love. Filmed with graceful style and careful attention to the intelligence and cleverness of young children, The Secret Garden is that rarest breed of family film that transcends its own generic category, encouraging a sense of wonder and optimism to become a rewarding experience for viewers of any age. --Jeff Shannon

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72% liked it

178,357 ratings

G, 101 min.

Directed by: Agnieszka Holland

Release Date: March 18, 1993

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DVD Release Date: January 1, 2000

Stats: 5,509 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (5,509)


  • September 6, 2009
    Such a cute movie about make believe. I loved it.
  • August 18, 2009
    I loved this movie when I was younger.
  • November 23, 2008
    a fabulous childrens movie with some beautiful scenery shots. maggie smith is as good as usual as the maid or servant.... constantly convincing the boy he's ill and sick. lots of wonderful shots of wildlife as well. this really keeps your imagination churning over in your head wh...( read more)ile your eyes are glued to the screen. sometimes it's worth watching a childrens movie. the story about the little girl bringing life into everything is inspiring. true escapism
  • May 2, 2008
    Loved loved loved this book and the movie was alright but not as good as my imagination was lol.
  • January 1, 2008
    The secret garden is discovered by a group of children. Beautiful adaptation of the novel.
  • November 22, 2009
    Not much to say except 'I love it'. Mum loves this movie, I like this movie, my brother likes this movie and even my Father likes this movie lol.
    It's a family favourite and I highly reccomend this movie =D
  • November 10, 2009
    too much drama i cant handle the emotions
    but my mother introduced me its a fav
  • October 29, 2009
    !Comercial or Stupid! :|
  • October 27, 2009
    loved this movie since childhood.
  • October 19, 2009
    The key to this movie is the great story. the book itself is known worldwide and consumer and critically acclaimed. And this is the thing to look for in the film. Don't look for incredible performances by the actors, they aren't. Don't look for an amazing score, it's not. Don't l...( read more)ook for groundbreaking camerawork, there isn't any. The set is the exception to this, the garden looks amazing. However, in this film, don't look at all those other things. If you want a great score, get thee to 2001 A Space Odyssey. If you want ground breaking camera work go to The Blair Witch Project. If you crave an amazing performance from an actor/actress, there are a myriad of films to choose from. When you're watching this film, look for the story. As it's really close to the book it's got great structure and beautiful moments between characters. This isn't the best film ever, but it's not bad.

    Defining Scene:
    When the boy gardener shows the girl that the garden is still alive, reminding us that even though our outer layers may be brown and dead, we are all still green inside. awww

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Comments


  • liliecv1
    March 29, 2009
    i liked it.
  • funnyncuddly
    July 21, 2008
    the very first time i saw this movie i was the biggest fan of all. :^P
  • opiumhaven
    February 29, 2008
    Very bad overall star rating on flixster for this film... I'm ashamed.. this is a great film that deserves a rating of ****1/2 - *****stars period. A clasic film.
  • FabiSebien
    October 30, 2007
    I love this movie. Very sweet.
  • mailicious
    March 10, 2007
    Im inlove with this movie when i was a lill wish theres a video on this movie:P
  • Savannah23
    December 19, 2006
    i have always (as long as i can remember) loved this movie so much
  • wishfairy
    November 23, 2006
    This is a great film that i love ever since i was a child its just so good

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The Secret Garden Trivia


  • Hook Sister Act (1 & 2) The Secret Garden The First Wives Club Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood Harry Potter (1-5)   Answer »
  • Which actor/actress starred in these films: Boy With the Green Hair, Long Day's Journey into Night & The Secret Garden?  Answer »
  • in the film the secret garden, what is the ornament the little has with her?  Answer »
  • ***In The Secret Garden, In Which Country Did Mary Live Before Moving To Her Uncles***  Answer »

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