4.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 18/06/2007

Once in a while something excellent comes along that adds to one's life in unexpected ways.

As a single father of two children, boy and girl, I look far and wide for movies that will allow me to provide good, wholesome family time...without the fear of foul language issuing forth, foul gestures, or all-too-typical South Central L.A. ghetto demeanor being exhibited by punkish personalities. And unfortunately too many Hollywood child actors are nowadays forced to lower their personal ethics for inappropriate movie roles in our never ending averaging-down of America.

The Secret Garden dismisses the need to add token actors of every type (a.k.a. Disney's last unbelievable rendering of Annie - TV 1999), race and sexual dysfunction to it's cast. Movies once were special beautiful places where the best actors were chosen for the part, and where viewers could easily lose themselves and for a short time become something in their mind's eye that was wonderful and magical. This is such a film. It's cast is well chosen for the story, not for current day hypocrisy. The Secret Garden allows viewers to immerse in a world larger than themselves ease and without having to keep saying...now why is THAT person in the movie...or why does THAT person have to keep making obscene gestures or engage in a constant flow of obscene sexual double-entendres?

This movie is pure of heart. It is one of one of Hollywood's finest creations.

Kate Mayberly as Mary Lennox is convincing. Her entry into the film is as a 10 year old girl who is catered hand and foot, literally, bathed and dressed by Indian nannies, then ignored by her parents. She grew to feel pampered, unloved and unwanted, and without the training to even dress herself. This is a sobering cameo to any parent, of how not to 'raise' a child.

The Secret Garden has been re-made many times, in books, in the theatre, in movies...and several reasons for the sudden death of Mary's parents are provided. The manner of their death is utterly unimportant, for it is the rest of the movie in which the magic of love and acceptance blossoms, and the viewer's anticipation grows as surely as does Mary's own heart and personal demeanor, and as a perfect reflection of the new growth of her formerly abandoned and neglected aunt's garden.

Kate Mayberly is beautiful. She is an exceptionally talented young actress.

My family has enjoyed shedding a few tears along with her character, Mary Lennox during the many times we've viewed The Secret Garden, and we have learned a bit more about the value of caring...and about the power of love.

To anyone considering purchasing The Secret Garden as a family film, do it. There are no downsides here, no parts where a parent has to cover his child's eyes or ears.

The Secret Garden is the perfect family film.

5.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 05/07/2007

In 19th-century India, little Mary Lennox is suddenly orphaned by cholera. Her only living relative is her crook-backed uncle, Archibald Craven, so Mary is sent to live at his estate on the Yorkshire moors. Rude and unpleasant, Mary gradually begins to change as she explores the manor and grows to know some of the servants, particularly her maid Martha, and Ben Weatherstaff the gardener. With the help of a robin, Mary discovers a secret garden. She also discovers a cousin she never knew she had, and begins to form plans that transform her cousin, the garden, and ultimately herself.this is a great movie.

3.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 07/04/2010

I guess it is a family movie but it didn't hold my attention much.
My 7 year old daughter seemed to quite like it.

5.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 22/02/2010

No matter how many versions of the secret garden I see I still am captivated. The child actors as always are so good in this. It is nice to recognize them too as we see them on TV now all grown up. A lovely story to melt the hardest heart.

4.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 24/09/2009

A wonderful movie, I was completely in love with it the first time I saw it, trying to find new places in bushes, and chasing birds in hope that they would show me a garden. A great take on "the Secret Garden" novel, while not the same in many aspects, it still captures the joys and trials of the children, of their need to feel loved. And their accents are just adorable! Enjoy!

4.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 13/10/2008

The Secret Garden is a good family movie. The main theme is friendship, being kind, caring and cooperation.

5.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 09/07/2008

A must see movie that is great for the whole family a brilliant story with beautiful picture and soundtrack also amazing acting this one is a must for small children my son has now wached it at least half a dozen times. this movie leaves you with a real feel good feeling definitly one to add to the colection
5 star rating for me

5.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 09/07/2007

This is an extremely enchanting movie, and I watch it whenever I am feeling a little down, as it always makes me feel better. It is a wonderful tale brought to life magically in a spectacular film. A really good movie, perfect for all of the family, and anyone else.

5.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 09/07/2007

I love this rendition of the secret garden story. The imagery is beautiful, the characters a delight, even down to Colin who doesn't seem to be the most easiest person to get along with at times. All in all, a beautifully done movie version of the story, and in my opinion, the best.

5.0 out of 5 based on 39 reviews. – Customer review on 30/06/2007

I loved this movie one of the first movies that i did get when i was younger from my partents still a delight to watch now as a adult its a fantastic sequance of events i love when she finds the younge boy and he finds that he can walk and finds the garden excellent.