Customer Reviews

Heidi [VHS]

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

If you stacked all the DVD copies of all the box office versions of Heidi (including the late 60s version whose rep got tarnished by NBC and a football game which by the way I have bought since this review was originally writtem), and then play this, virtually everyone in my generation would start giving the other discs away as Christmas Stocking Stuffers. Despite being a made for tv (the OLD Disney Channel before they went commercial) film, it surpasses all the classics. Noley Thornton's performance is of equal caliber to Megan Follows in the Anne of Green Gables Trilogy. And what a supporting cast she has with her, Jason Robards as her Grandfather, Patricia Neal as Peter's Grandmother, Sian Phillips (yup Livia from I, Claudius herself) as Clara's Grandmother, and Jane Seymour as Fraulein Rottenmeir, Clara's governess (her first bad girl role I can think of since East of Eden 81). I was extremely grateful to see this on DVD last month, not only because it tells more of the story then any other film, but as a fellow reviewer below herself stated, the dvd copy is complete. The VHS tape had been released at 165 minutes (that's 2 hours and 45 minutes for those who can't convert fast). This disc is the full 191 minutes (3 hours and 11 minutes) as Disney made it in 93 all on 1 single sided disc. Get yourself a copy, you'll be glad you did.

that becomes a treasured family favorite. For our family, this is one of those films. This version of Heidi can still bring tears to our eyes after a half dozen viewings. Even my little four year old daughter, who didn't understand why, could hardly keep from tearing up as she watched the excellent rendition of this classic.

Originally over 3 hours long it has been edited to a little less than 3 hours for video without significantly affecting the story. I prefer the original uncut version, however. All the casting and acting is superb, especially Jason Robards and Noley Thornton as the grandfather and Heidi. Lexi Randall, Jane Seymour, Patricia Neal and other characters were excellent also.

Jason Robards believably captured the complex emotions of the grandfather torn between his personal guilt and torment related to the death of his son and the attempts of Heidi to get him to open his heart and life to her. Dete, the greedy and selfish distant cousin, at first casts off Heidi on the grandfather to get rid of her. Later, when she sees a way to make some money off Heidi, Dete shames the grandfather into letting Heidi go by playing up the grandfathers own fears that he will eventually turn against Heidi like he did his own son. Robards was so good expressing the anger and fear that the grandfather feels before finally realizing how much he loves and needs Heidi with him. Heidi is capably portrayed by Noley Thornton who easily captures Heidi's exuberance for life and her love for her grandfather and the mountains and her ability to change the lives of all those around her.

"Heidi" is an emotional roller coaster ride and provides ample opportunity for tears of sadness and joy. Punctuating the splendid scenery shot on location in Austria is the majestic musical score by Lee Holdridge which is worth the price of admission itself. This is a movie you and your family will treasure and watch over and over.

We have read the book to our children, and have all listened to it on audio cassette, and love the original story. We also understand that stories have to be changed somewhat to fit time formats, etc. However, the extent to which this movie has been adapted is beyond reason. The somewhat horrifying first scene is a complete Hollywood fabrication, which does nothing but detract from the overall story. Heidi's Grandfather is no longer the grumpy-on-the-outside, but loving-on-the-inside man of the book. Here he is just a mean old man, with no redeeming qualities at all. Heidi's initial life on the mountains, and her subsequent removal to the city are fairly close to the original story - again, except where the Grandfather is involved. However things really start to fall apart about half way through the second act. Pretty much all of the heart-warming third act of the book, where Heidi returns to the mountains she loves, has been lost to idiotic plot twists and ridiculous melodrama. Time after time, as this movie played, we looked at each other in astonishment, wondering what had happened to the story we know and love.

This production of Heidi features excellent performances by both adults (Jason Robards as grumpy grandfather, Jane Seymour as snooty housekeeper, Patricia Neal as warm grandmother) and children--who are good but not cutesy. This Heidi is pretty faithful to the books, and does a good job with period sets and costumes. The opening sequence, with a loud argument and people running through a heavy thunderstorm, is a little scary--my 5 year old who's a little extra-sensitive to violence and upsetting situations in movies, won't watch it--but other than that, it's appropriate for even the youngest viewers (which I would not say of most famous animated classics, for example.)

I rented this from Top Hat Video the other day and I watched it last night when the thunderstorm was interupting the sound this has gotta be one of the best disney films ever Noley Thornton is a sweet girl in this films she's great for the part of Heidi Sure Shirley Temple was good for the part of Heidi in her version of the tale but Young Noley is great too her sweetness in this film makes me feel so good if you thought Shirley was great for Heidi wait till you see this disney version of the tale it's a very sweet story I recommend you get this Noley Thornton is great for Heidi!!!!!!

On commercial free television, this movie runs in two parts with a total runtime of over 3 hours. The video version of the movie has about 20 minutes cut out of the original presentation. Some really sweet nuances have been removed.

This is an enjoyable movie in either case, or course, but let's hope that Disney releases an unedited version to DVD soon! I would love to add it to my collection.

This version of Heidi is truly wonderful. The story is so great and all the actors played the roles very well. Shirley Temple was good, but Noley Thornton is fantastic. Unlike the older version of Heidi this has a freshness to it. The other version the Alps don't look nearly as stunning and the slede ride was the fakest thing I have seen in my life. In this re-make you can almost see the hills bursting with song and joy. It is truly magnificent.

Possibly one of the greatest books of all time-- this is also one of the last good made for T.V. movies disney did. As a huge Shirley Temple fan I will always love Shirley's version but, my opinon this is the best version of Heidi to own and the version I watch most often on family movie night.

The acting is brillantly done by newcomer Noley("Fine Things")and it has the best grandfather Jason Robarbs who delievers the performance of his career. You really catch their love and connection on screen and you see how far he will go for the little girl he loves. Really Heidi is all about faith and love renewalle and in this version you can really see that.This story also sticks more to the orginally book unlike some of the remakes which is nice since the story is perfect the way it is...

My little cousins love this movie and we all want to adopt Jason Robbarbs as our grandfather now! Some of my cousins liked the movie so much they are now reading the book for fun!I'm personally glad I bought this movie to watch with my cousins on family movie night for it's a movie all about family and connecting with the ones you love. Buy "Heidi" and enjoy watching it with your kids over and over again.

Heidi has a refreshing perspective on life. She chooses love, love for a crochety old man. In her eyes he becomes lovable to the viewer as well. The scenes of nature are stunning and the tender exchanges in human relationships are deeply moving. Heidi is not just a great "G" movie for children, it's a great movie for adults who need another glimpse, another reminder, of the beauty in our surroundings... both in people and in nature.

My name is Heidi and I have grown up getting Heidi either as a book or a movie for birthday and Christmas presents. (I do own the german version) This is by far my favorite version of Heidi. I grew up with Hayley Mills and The Wonderful World of Disney. Noley Thornton does a wonderful job of depicting Heidi. I wish it would come out on DVD!! You won't be sorry for getting this.