Customer Reviews

Mandie And The Secret Tunnel DVD

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

On my ninth birthday, my mom gave me a book called _Mandie and the Secret Tunnel_. That began decades of faithfully following the series. Sometimes when a favorite book is turned into a movie, there's disappointment that the characters and settings won't be depicted the same as they were pictured when reading. So, while watching the movie, I sat cringing a bit in fear of this happening. By the second half, I could relax, because this movie does Mandie justice and is relatively faithful to the book.

Some of the acting isn't spot on, but you can tell everyone is trying and means well--and this isn't meant to be a big-screen release, anyway. The outdoor scenery is beautiful, and the mansion is as expansive and grand as most young readers likely imagine it. The others I watched it with were a bit confused about the mysteries and how everything worked out, though those who have read the book will be able to easily follow the storyline. For others, it may take a couple of viewings to understand how everything weaves together. In fact, in trying to explain the plot a bit, I accidentally gave away part of the mysteries. This is a movie where it's better to just mention the year (1899) and the fact that a girl (changed from pre-teen to 14 in the movie) has lost her father and feels alone in the world . . . and to be patient and let the storyline unfold on its own.

The only thing that I didn't like about the movie was that as soon as it ended, it said it was made in memory of Lois Gladys Leppard. I hadn't yet heard of her passing, and this sudden flash on the screen caused as much crying for me as the movie did. This dedication is meaningful, but it happens so abruptly after the movie's conclusion that it may shock Mandie fans who don't yet know the news. It might have been better for it to have been at the beginning of the movie or end of the credits.

Overall, though, that of course is not enough to dock a star. They don't make wholesome family movies like this anymore . . . but I'm so glad they did.

This film is exciting, and totally safe for small children. No pervasive language or suggestive content. Lots of lessons hinted at during the film from obedience, acceptance, patience, kindness, faith, forgiveness and friendship.
Filmed in the beaufiful mountains of North Carolina and at the locations of six or seven historical sites.
This fun family adventure is one you will watch again and again.

This is a great childrens' film- a film for the whole family (adults will like it as well.) It has adventure and humor! I recommend it!

Our entire family watched this film a few days ago and we loved it! It is full of adventure, and from what my oldest daughter tells me, very close to the actual Mandie book. It is a family-friendly film with nothing objectionable (how nice for a change!) and combines comedy with heartfelt moments. There was just one scary part at the beginning where little ones will need to hide their eyes while viewing. All in all, I would highly recommend this movie and have added it to my mom-approved listing on my blog.

Reviewed by Penny Zeller, author of the historical romance novel "McKenzie."

This movie almost went exactly with the story line. It was magical! Even my brothers liked it.
There is another one coming out in August.
On some reviews, people said that the mom shows up looking too much like a queen. It is that way in the book. They also complain about Mandie's step family being mean, just like in the book.
This is an all around great family movie.

I first started reading the Mandie books when I was twelve. Needless to say, I'm more than twice that age now. So it was quite a delight for me when I stumbled across this movie at Blockbuster. I had no idea they were making Mandie movies. I'm so glad to see it! I thought this movie did a fairly accurate portrayal of Mandie and her kin. I really enjoyed the Cherokee personalities. And I thought Dean Jones as Jason Bond was especially good. Uncle John was well portrayed by a dapper young gentleman. And in essence, the movie was darling and very likeable. The single and only reason I don't rate it a five star movie is because I thought the almost comedic style of acting in the movie detracted from what could have been a very serious and successful story line. Other than that, I really enjoyed this movie.

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It's cute, fun, enjoyable, and clean--and also inspiring and moral.

Frankly, after reading some of the reviews of the film, I was expecting a movie with awful acting and with amateurish production. I saw neither. Oh, the acting isn't Academy-Award quality, but it's not that bad either. Similarly, the production quality isn't at the level of a George Lucas film, but it's not what I'd call amateurish by any stretch. Overall, I thought the acting and the production quality were both pretty good, certainly good enough to make the movie entertaining.

This is really a charming, fun movie that the whole family will enjoy. I give it five starts because I love the movie, in spite of its very minor flaws.

Mandie and the Secret Tunnel is a video for all ages. Based on the best-selling Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard, it's set in the late 1800s and revolves around young Mandie Shaw, who just lost her father and sets out to find a new home, assisted by some Cherokee Indian friends. When strangers to a uncle's fortune show up to claim his estate, adventures and dangers evolve. A fine family viewing pick.

No one on the cast/crew need look down for this film adaptation of the essence of the Mandie stories by Lois Gladys Leppard. No film can fully cover a book, but this film begins a series of visual versions of the Mandie adventures which will be remembered by kids as much as the books. And older folk, like me, can enjoy it too. Expect clean dialogue, to major violence (a turkey's dead), and plenty of great scenic Blue Ridge Mountain footage as well as southern mansion elegance. Mandie ends up in her Uncle's estate house, looking for a will, and she and her friends Polly & Joe check out secret passages, rooms, tunnels, and nooks. More passages than Mammoth Cave. There are surprises galore for them, as well as other characters through this story. You really get to feel a part of what is going on in this period tale. Mandie stories are a bit of historic fiction/drama of American late pioneer life.

Few Hollywood film makers could create this quality on the budget this group used. And it's Dove approved. That means quality Family Viewing.

Some scenes are extended acting, typical when targeting youth, but the story moves quickly. One fun error involved the SUBTITLES (yes SUBTITLES on the feature). When the dialogue was "Miss Snow" the titles indicated Ms. not Miss, a no-no for 1899. A trivial fault. Dean Jones was wonderful as the estate keeper. There's multi-tasking as Joy Chapman directs, writes, & produces. Owen Smith directs, writes, produces, composes, & cinematography. Several of the cast will reappear in future Mandie movies.

I've not read the book, and the film may not be a perfect adaptation of the books, but it should encourage kids to dig into reading more Mandie stories. The film's that good.

Also check Amazon's listing for "Mandie and the Forgotten Christmas." 5 stars.

We have bought these books for my daughter since she was 8 years old and she is now 26. So we thought it would be so much fun to watch the movie! How disappointing! The movie did basically follow the story however, some of the things we loved about the Mandie books were missing.

1. The fact that in the end after she had gotten herself in trouble she always apologizes.
2. She is always in a position to be afraid and she quotes scripture.
3. Mandie did not call Ned "Uncle Ned".
4. References to the "Big God" as far as I can remember were left out.
5. The fact that the books were Mysteries not corny comedy.

These things may have been done to appeal to a secular audience, yet they missed the mark no matter.
This was more a comedy than a Mystery and as our family watched it the one thing we loved most was when it was over. The acting reminded me more of a vaudeville slapstick type of acting. However, whatever they were attempting it is pulled off poorly. The acting quality just was not there. Yes it is a clean family movie... but it reminds me more of a community theatre production.

My sincere hope is before they do any other movie is they will rethink what they have done . I wasted money on this movie!!