The book was one of my childhood favourite books and still is a personal favourite. Adaptations always deserve to stand on their own two feet and this version of Heidi is not an exception. The beginning did seem over-dramatic; some of the characters could have been more sympathetically written(especially the grandfather who's often too hostile, Clara too on some occasions); Clara's healing could have been more gradual; and keeping the grandmother alive longer, to hear that Heidi can now read(one of the book's most heart-warming parts), would have given the adaptation more heart than it already had. These all aside, this Heidi is still good and engaging. It is skilfully filmed, the Alps scenery is just gorgeous and the costume design and the settings in general are handsomely done. It's not big-budget or lavish, nor did it need to be. The music score is always involving and whimsical, always fitting with what's going on. While the dialogue is thoughtfully adapted and warm-hearted and while over-dramatic at times the story is never dull or abrupt, instead it's heart-warming, charming and engaging. The ending did bring a lump to my throat, then again the ending in Heidi is always emotional. The direction keeps things moving at a steady pace while also giving the story life. The acting is not a problem either, Noley Thornton is outstanding as Heidi being both adorable and strong-willed and Jason Robards supports her firmly in a charismatic and very emotionally committed way, though in the more redemptive scenes he could have been more gentle but he did a wonderful job considering how the Grandfather was written here. Lexi Randall's Clara is passionate and touching while Jane Seymour is temperamental and formidable without hamming things up and Patricia Neal's Grandmother is noble and affecting. So overall, not the best adaptation for die-hard fans of the book but as a standalone film, even with the not-so-great things, this version of Heidi is well worth the watch. 7/10 Bethany Cox
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Melissa Alice13 November 2000I've watched at least two of the other Heidi versions, and this is probably my favorite. I liked the Shirley Temple version a lot, too, but this one is very charming and Noley Thornton is very cute as Heidi. I watched an older version of Heidi today, and it was good as well (with Jean Simmons), but it was definately not as good as this one (though they both have their strong points).
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ighlander1 January 2017An enjoyable film and for the most part well done, but very annoying due to the use of both English and American actors - resulting in both accents amongst supposed family members!! So jarring and sadly all too frequently done. I understand the marketability of TransAtlantic appeal but please, please, why can't they all sound alike?? Unfortunately it does suffer from Disneyfication with very large helpings of saccharine and some predictable "gushy" emotional scenes. There's a particularly wearing scene where Heidi tumbles down the hillside and ends up hanging over the river gorge clinging to a tree branch - all the time while Peter is trying to rescue her, Klara is shouting "Heidi!" at 1 second intervals. I felt like shouting "Shut the **** up!" Otherwise the scenery, sets, etc. are lovely - nice period details and gorgeous mountains! (Filmed in Austria though and not Switzerland - although I daresay we have to be grateful it wasn't filmed in Montana!)
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theatre8117 July 2002This version of "Heidi" is so beautiful. It makes you laugh, cry, and you simply love Heidi. Noley Thornton gives an excellent performance as Heidi, Jason Robards made a wonderful character out of Grandfather. Lexi Randall was outstanding as Klara. This movie is something that the whole family should see. Out of all the versions of "Heidi," this one has the most heart and is so beautiful.
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keith-12324 November 1999If your looking for a Family film that will appeal to all ages, then look no further. This movie is well acted, the scenery is beautiful and the score is outstanding. Noley Thornton is not to be missed! Once you see this movie, it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Even if you've seen other Heidi movies, don't let that stop you, this one ranks at the very top!
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FloatingOpera723 April 2006Heidi (1993): Starring Noley Thorton, Jason Robards, Lexi Randall, Jane Seymour, Patricia Neal, Sian Phillips, Jane Hazlegrove, Andrew Bicknell, Ben Brazier, Basil Hoskins..Director Michael Ray Rhodes.
Based on the classic turn of the century novel by Johanna Spyri, this Disney film proved to be faithful to the novel and is truly the best adaptation of the many that were made prior to this one which was released in 1993. Filmed on location in the novel's setting of Germany and the Swiss Alps, the film starred Noley Thorton as the eponymous heroine. Heidiis an orphan (in the 19th century if you wanted to make your readers weep you had to make the hero/heroine an orphan, Charles Dickens did it all the time!) who has been adopted by her reclusive curmudgeon grandfather (Jason Robards) who lives in a small home up by the Alps. Later we discover that her grandfather had turned his back on the Church (or the Church had turned THEIR BACK on him and ex-communicated him) and was living alone up by the mountain. Only Heidi and her charming spirited ways gives him happiness now. But Heidi has an Aunt, Fraulein Rottenmeier (Jane Seymour) who lives in Frankfurt, Germany. There she meets her wheel-chair bound cousin Klara. The girls are under tight surveillence and discipline by the staunch and temperamental Fraulein Rottenmier. Jane Seymour didn't ham it up though and plays her in a subtle and tone down way. The film is beautiful and well-acted, with a lot of heart. I remember the first time I saw it was on the Disney Channel. If you're a fan of the old novel, this one is a delight. Heidi is about learning to love again, even after the world has been cold to you. Both the Grandfather and even Fraulein Rottenmeier learn this. The sweetness but reliability of Heidi serves as a redemption to both these older adults. It is interesting how the children in this story are the smarter ones. A well-made film that sadly time has forgotten. I hope it is released on DVD!!! -
mikec-5078217 November 2017I always find it interesting how one film can produce such a range of reviews. The reviews for this film, range from a beautifully acted, heartwarming film, suitable for all the family down to absolute rubbish, badly acted and not suitable for under 10's. I personally loved it. I haven't read the book although I am familiar with the story. I found the film moving and was well acted. OK, there are a mixture of accents in the film, but so what. Once you get into the story you wont even notice. For me this film, had the same sort of atmosphere as 'The Secret Garden'. A lovely story. Touching and heartwarming. The acting is good and the scenery magnificent. Watch it and make your own mind up. I am sure you wont be disappointed. Mike
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I grew up with this movie. So loving, was, and beautiful. Of course there are some sad parts but overall a very touching film that for me, is a comfort film. Please, please..give it a try! :-) if you enjoyed The Secret Garden (1993, which is one of my favorites as well) you'll probably enjoy this!
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bnorton91629 January 2011This is well-acted and written, but, if you want a faithful adaption of the book keep looking.
This movie does not follow the book. To sum up: the kids know everything and the adults are selfish or cruel or incompetent or some combination of the three.
Grandfather never yelled at Heidi in the book. But he did throughout the movie, including the last scene where he tells Heidi, "Go back to Frankfurt!!!". Of course, Heidi doesn't because she knows more than her grandfather. Ridiculous.
Maybe if I had never read the book I could have enjoyed this movie, but when they make caring characters cruel, and change the meaning of the book, it just ruins everything for me. -
eponine40625 August 2000Excellent movie!! This is one of my all-time favorite movies. It is beautifully acted and I never get sick of watching it over and over!! Noley Thorton is cute as a button and perfect as little Heidi and Lexi Randall's performance as Clara is amazing! Jason Robards is wonderful as grandfather and Jane Seymour is great as Freuline Rottenmier, the character you love to hate! I think this is one of the best if not the best family movies of all time! I reccomend it to anyone of any age!
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I don't remember reading the book to know if this adaptation was faithful but it wouldn't have mattered. I watched this on YouTube ,and quite honestly found it to be way too long and rather boring- did it really need to be a miniseries?. I mean the scenery was beautiful and I had actually visited the areas a few years before it was filmed but besides that it had little too offer. Noley Thornton as Heidi was cute and a decent actress but she just didn't move me into caring about her.She just seemed as if she was sleepwalking through her lines half the time. Lexi Randall as Klara was not my cup of tea much either, she came across a bit too whiny in her acting and dull.
Jane Seymour basically phones her role in, overacting badly and the kid who played Peter was awful - He looked as if he was bored and couldn't wait to finish his scenes so he could go play video games or something. Now my biggest disappointment is the way the grandfather's part was portrayed. I love Jason Robards and always found him handsome and wonderful to watch even in his twilight years however this was not one of those times. His grandfather is totally uninteresting and has nothing to offer, the synopsis says Heidi charms him too but she really doesn't. Most of the movie he is frowning or scowling at her and just plain mean ,she never charms him. If anything his guilt prevents that and his cowardice too,he even admits it. I was really disappointed as I think Robards should have had something more to work with instead of a one note script that basically had him scowling and walking away. The Shirley Temple version to me seemed much better and vastly different with the grandfather really loving her and going after her whereas Robards character didn't seem to care that she was leaving and even at the end he asks her why shed wanna live with him "she responds ,because i love you grandfather " and while he hugs her ,he doesn't say it back. I just cant see how she could love him when he never really acts as if he truly cares about her. 5/10 mostly for the scenery -
each adaptation is a provocation for viewer. because the shadow of reading is large and high. because the expectations are not little. in this case, all is at perfect place. Noley Thornton shines and Jason Robards is the best grandfather. and, like a good film, it is not exactly an adaptation but a translation not for the book but for its spirit. touching and immersive, fresh and lovely, it gives all gifts who was expected. and this is the key of this Heidy, more realistic than other versions, more close than a family film definition. because it is only a movie for children but , in same measure, for refreshing memories of parents. and the cast, especially ,the great Jason Robards, the smart screenplay writer and , sure, Michael Ray Rhodes makes a good and almost admirable work.
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saska_jovicic6 May 2020Beautiful scenery and girl that is playing Heidi is absolutely wonderful, but the way they pictured Grandfather and Klara is terrible. And I don't even want to start about Grandmother dying. Just read the book, not one version of the movie or TV show can come close to this beautiful book.
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ikenney2822 March 2014As a G rated movie we were taken aback to see so much death, suffering and sorrow. 90 min into it, with our 5 year old crying non-stop, she finally screamed. "My heart is breaking from this movie!" So we shut it off.
So this is just a warning to parents. if you have sensitive kids this is not a good pick. Parents Killed, blind Grammy dies, girl sold and dragged away from her home, mean nanny w/a girl whose crippled. We were like, "what's next, a meteor takes out the whole town?!"
Saddest Disney film we ever saw. Avoid for kids under 10 - G rating inappropriate in our opinion! -
admatha-767-52420017 August 2013Disney is known for some pretty cheesy rock-to-the-head morals but usually the high budget production at least makes it tolerable. This, on the other hand, is low budget Disney cheese - the stuff you find at the back of your fridge and shove way back in, in the hopes that maybe if you ignore it long enough it'll go away. It begins by shoehorning in an overdramatic scene with Heidi's parents. They are on screen for a handful of minutes so who even cares about them? Nobody, at the point where they stand frozen in stupidity watching a tree really really really slowly topple over after being struck by lightening. Seriously. I was glad they were dead. They deserved it. And it all went downhill from there. Whoever cast the Heidi kid... I'm not sure what they were going for. It was like they said "we're looking for another Annie, only with no personality." Honestly, I don't even particularly like Shirley Temple, and the Shirley Temple version was a thousand times beyond this one in terms of quality. Shirley brought personality and precociousness to the role that this kid entirely lacks. As the movie rests on this kid's shoulders, it fails dismally, especially as the rest of the cast perform equally poorly, making the whole movie an exercise in wondering "good god, how much of this can possibly be left to watch?"