The Secret Garden (movie) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Secret Garden
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Agnieszka Holland
Screenplay by	Caroline Thompson
Starring	Kate Maberly Heydon Prowse Andrew Knott Maggie Smith
Music by	Zbigniew Preisner
Cinematography	Roger Deakins Jerzy Zielinski
Editing by	Isabelle Lorente
Studio	American Zoetrope Warner Bros. Family Entertainment
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	13 August 1993 (1993-08-13) (US) 20 January 1994 (1994-01-20) (UK)
Running time	102 minutes
Country	United States United Kingdom
Language	English
Money made	$31.2 million

The Secret Garden is a fantasy drama film from 1993. It was made in both America and Britain. The movie was directed by Agnieszka Holland and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. It stars Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott, John Lynch, and Maggie Smith.

The story for the film was written by Caroline Thompson. It is based on the famous book of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Before this movie, the book was also made into two other films: one in 1949 and a silent film in 1919. The film is set in Yorkshire, England. Many scenes were filmed at Allerton Castle in Yorkshire. The movie was very popular and received good reviews. Maggie Smith was even nominated for an award for her acting. In 2005, the British Film Institute listed it as one of the 50 films young people should see by age 14.

Discovering the Secret Garden

The story begins in 1901. A 10-year-old girl named Mary Lennox becomes an orphan. Her parents died in an earthquake in British India. Mary is sent to live with her uncle, Lord Archibald Craven, at his huge house called Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire, England. Mary's parents had not shown her much love, so she is a cold and unhappy girl. She doesn't like her new home.

The head housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock, tells Mary she won't be spoiled here. She also says Mary's uncle is often away and probably won't see her. Mary is told to stay in her room. But she hears strange noises and starts exploring the big house. Mrs. Medlock eventually lets Mary play outside to keep her from looking around indoors. In the large grounds of the Manor, Mary finds her late aunt's garden. It was locked up and left alone after her aunt's accidental death.

New Friends and New Life

Mary soon becomes friends with Martha Sowerby, a maid, and her brother, Dickon. Dickon loves nature and can even seem to "talk" to animals. Mary is very interested in the "secret garden." She asks Dickon to help her bring it back to life. As they work on the garden, Mary slowly becomes a friendlier and happier child.

When Mary finally meets her uncle, she feels nervous. She knows he was the one who locked up the secret garden. She worries he might do it again. Mary cleverly asks if she can plant seeds in an "unwanted" part of the Manor. Lord Craven agrees before leaving the country for the rest of the year. Mary and Dickon feel safe that the garden will stay a secret, and they keep working on it.

Colin's Journey to Health

Hidden away in the gloomy mansion is Mary's cousin, Colin. He has been treated like a very sick and weak boy his whole life. This has made him demanding and short-tempered. He has never left his room or learned to walk. Mary eventually finds Colin and realizes the strange noises she heard were him crying. She is surprised by how difficult he is, but she still tries to help him.

Mary shows Colin that he isn't really sick. She also teaches him that the outside world is not as dangerous as Mrs. Medlock, who takes care of him, claims. Mary encourages Colin, and he decides to go outside for the first time. Mary and Dickon take him to the secret garden. There, Colin begins to heal and get stronger.

A Family Reunited

Colin, Mary, and Dickon spend all their time in the garden. Colin learns to stand and walk on his own. They want to show Colin's father how much he has changed. So, they perform a "magic" ceremony hoping to bring Lord Craven home. It seems to work! Lord Craven suddenly wakes up from a dream where his late wife calls him home. He immediately returns to Yorkshire.

When he arrives, he is amazed and joyful to find Colin walking and playing. Mary runs off and cries, afraid that she and the garden will be ignored and locked away again. But her uncle comforts her. He tells her she is part of the family and promises never to lock the garden again. He thanks her for bringing his family back to life. They hug and then celebrate with Colin, Dickon, and the Manor staff. The film ends with Mary saying that "if you look the right way, the whole world is a garden."

Meet the Cast

Filming Locations

Exterior of Allerton Castle in Yorkshire, northern England

The movie was filmed in beautiful locations in England. The grand Allerton Castle in Yorkshire was used for most of the outside shots of Misselthwaite Manor. Some indoor scenes were filmed there too. Fountains Hall was also used for parts of the outside of the house. Inside scenes, especially those on the large staircase, were filmed at the former Midland Grand Hotel.

The director, Agnieszka Holland, was already famous around the world before making this film. She continued to work on movies outside of her home country of Poland.

Movie Music

The film features a song called "Winter Light" by Linda Ronstadt that plays during the end credits. This song is based on two themes from the movie's score, which was created by Zbigniew Preisner. The song is not on the film's official soundtrack, but it is on Linda Ronstadt's album also called Winter Light. Other singers like Sarah Brightman and Chloë Agnew have also covered this song. The official soundtrack album, released by Varèse Sarabande, contains all the original music from the film.

Awards and Recognition

The Secret Garden received some special honors:

Awards Won

• Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Music – given to Zbigniew Preisner for his amazing music.

Award Nominations

• BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Maggie Smith was nominated for her role as Mrs. Medlock.