The Secret Garden (1987 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Secret Garden |
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| Genre | Family Drama |
| Directed by | Alan Grint |
| Starring | Gennie James Barret Oliver Jadrien Steele Billie Whitelaw Derek Jacobi Alison Doody Colin Firth |
| Music by | John Cameron |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Norman Rosemont |
| Producer(s) | Steve Lanning |
| Production location(s) | Highclere Castle, Highclere, Hampshire, England |
| Cinematography | Robert Paynter |
| Editor(s) | Keith Palmer |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Rosemont Productions Limited Hallmark Hall of Fame Viacom Productions |
| Distributor | CBS |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | November 30, 1987 |
The Secret Garden is a special TV movie from 1987. It's based on the famous book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This movie first aired on CBS on November 30, 1987. It was made by Rosemont Productions Limited.
The film stars Gennie James, Barret Oliver, and Jadrien Steele. Many other talented actors like Billie Whitelaw and Sir Derek Jacobi also appear. In 1988, the movie won a big award called a Primetime Emmy. It was recognized as an "Outstanding Children's Program."
Contents
The Story of the Secret Garden
The movie begins with an adult Mary (Irina Brook) returning to a grand old house. This is after a big war where she worked as a nurse. She is looking for a key to a secret garden. When she can't find it, she sits down and remembers her childhood.
Mary's New Home
The main story starts in India with young Mary Lennox (Gennie James). She is a lonely and often selfish girl. One night, she wakes up to a terrible sickness spreading. Her parents and their servants become ill. Soon, Mary is left all alone.
English officers find her and send her to live in England. She goes to Misselthwaite Manor, a huge, isolated house in Yorkshire. It belongs to Mr. Craven (Derek Jacobi), a friend of her family. Mary has never met him before.
Mary is surprised by her new life. The servants in England do not treat her like a princess. She feels very lonely and bored in the big house.
Finding the Secret Garden
Mary meets a kind maid named Martha (Cassie Stuart). Martha tells her about a secret walled garden. This garden was locked up after Mrs. Craven, Mr. Craven's wife, passed away there. The key was thrown away.
Mary decides to search for the garden's door. She also looks for the lost key. Eventually, she finds both the door and the key! She opens the garden, but it is overgrown and ruined. Mary decides to bring it back to life. She gets help from Martha's brother, Dickon (Barret Oliver). Dickon is a friendly boy who loves animals and nature.
A Hidden Cousin
Inside Misselthwaite Manor, Mary often hears crying sounds at night. The servants say it's just the wind. But one night, Mary explores and finds a hidden boy. He is Mr. Craven's son, Colin (Jadrien Steele).
Colin is sick and stays in bed all the time. He cries a lot because he thinks he will die. Mary and Colin slowly become friends. Mary tells him about his mother's garden. She explains how she and Dickon are making it beautiful again. Colin becomes very curious about the garden.
Magic in the Garden
Colin finally wants to see the garden for himself. With Dickon's help, Mary takes Colin in his wheelchair. They visit the secret garden without anyone knowing. Colin feels the magic of the garden. He is inspired to try and stand up.
For the first time, Colin takes steps by himself! The old gardener, Ben Weatherstaff (Michael Hordern), sees this and is amazed. Ben offers to help the children with the garden. Colin keeps trying to walk and get stronger.
A Happy Ending
Far away in London, Mr. Craven gets a letter. Dickon's mother, Susan, tells him to come home right away. Mr. Craven arrives at Misselthwaite Manor. He finds the secret garden full of flowers. All the children are there.
Colin stands up and walks to his father. He tells his father that he is well now. He says he will live forever.
The adult Mary finishes remembering her childhood. Ben Weatherstaff greets her and gives her the key to the secret garden. They talk about Dickon, who sadly passed away in a war. Then, the adult Colin (Colin Firth) enters the garden. He was hurt in the war but is now out of the hospital.
Colin reminds Mary that he has asked her to marry him before. Mary says she was waiting for him to ask her in their special garden. Colin proposes again, and Mary happily accepts.
Cast
- Gennie James as young Mary Lennox
- Irina Brook as adult Mary Lennox
- Barret Oliver as Dickon Sowerby
- Jadrien Steele as young Colin Craven
- Colin Firth as adult Colin Craven
- Billie Whitelaw as Mrs. Medlock
- Cassie Stuart as Martha Sowerby
- Michael Hordern as Ben Weatherstaff
- Derek Jacobi as Archibald Craven
