Product Details

• Actors: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub
• Format: NTSC, Widescreen, Digital Sound
• Language: English (Dolby Surround), French (Dolby Surround), Spanish (Dolby Surround)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Dubbed: English, French, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: March 4, 2008
• Run Time: 125 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (251 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000QQLVPQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,367 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #75 in Movies & TV > DVD > Comedy
• Learn more about "Mrs. Doubtfire (Behind-the-Seams Edition)" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This huge 1993 hit for Robin Williams and director Chris Columbus (Home Alone), based on a novel called Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine, stars Williams as a loving but flaky father estranged from his frustrated wife (Sally Field). Devastated by a court order limiting his time with the children, Williams's character disguises himself as a warm, old British nanny who becomes the kids' best friend. As with Dustin Hoffman's performance in Tootsie, Williams's drag act--buried under layers of latex and padding--is the show, and everything and everyone else on screen serves his sometimes frantic role. Since that's the case, it's fortunate that Williams is Williams, and his performance is terribly funny at times and exceptionally believable in those scenes where his character misses his children. Playing Williams's brother, a professional makeup artist, Harvey Fierstein has a good support role in a bright sequence where he tries a number of feminine looks on Williams before settling on Mrs. Doubtfire's visage. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is no ordinary father, so when he learns his ex-wife (Sally Field) needs a housekeeper, he applies for the job. With the perfect wig, a little makeup and a dress for all occasions, he becomes Mrs. Doubtfire, a devoted British nanny who is hired on the spot. Free to be the "woman" he never knew he could be, the disguised Daniel creates a whole new life with his entire family.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Mrs. Doubtfire" (Widescreen Edition) = Lots Of Fun! November 9, 2004

By David Von Pein

Format:DVD

A first-rate cast and an innovative script helped make 1993's "Mrs. Doubtfire" a big movie hit. Robin Williams, Sally Field, and Pierce Brosnan display their individual and collective acting talents in "Doubtfire". I enjoyed each of their performances here. Brosnan's quiet, understated, and laid-back portrayal of "the other man" in Sally's life might often get overlooked in this film, but I think Brosnan's character plays very nicely against that of Mrs. Doubtfire.

But this film, of course, 'belongs' to Robin Williams. It's a veritable tour-de-force for Robin here, as he manages to juggle two different roles, seemingly with ease. A remarkable "two-for-the-price-of-one" performance. He literally "becomes" Mrs. Doubtfire when he dons that wardrobe and make-up.

And Sally Field, as always, is outstanding here. In a way, she has the rather thankless job of playing opposite the human twin-tornado (Robin) in this film. But Sally is able to shine through in her own right, in my view. She's always a treat to watch on the screen. And "Doubtfire" is no exception.

Sally went from co-starring in one blockbuster movie to yet another -- after wrapping up "Doubtfire", she next played Tom Hanks' mom in 1994's mega-hit (and "Best Picture" Oscar-winner), "Forrest Gump".

The "Mrs. Doubtfire" DVD brims over with special stuff. There are more than 30 minutes of "Deleted Scenes" on the disc, scenes that Director Chris Columbus was pretty much forced to cut out of the movie due to time constraints. Kind of a shame too, because nearly all of these deleted scenes are very good, and would not have been a detriment to the film at all, IMO....

"Doubtfire" co-star Polly Holliday, no doubt, is one person who wishes a few of these tossed-out scenes had made it into the final cut of the movie. Because nearly all of Polly's work was left on the cutting room floor it seems. But, at least, these clips ARE available in some fashion -- as an extra bonus on this DVD.

I've found myself watching the "Deleted Scenes" area of this disc as much as the film itself. Polly Holliday is an absolute riot in many of these scenes, as she interacts with "Mrs. Doubtfire". Polly soon finds out that Mrs. Doubtfire's "secret" concoction for keeping her garden looking like a showplace is not exactly the best thing for her plants. LOL!

The DVD also contains interviews with the cast, Makeup Tests, Storyboards, Trailers, TV Ads, and more.

Video looks quite good here, even though this 1999-produced DVD has not been enhanced for widescreen televisions. But the 2.35:1 non-anamorphic Widescreen picture still looks fairly sharp and clear, with good colors.

There's a Dolby Digital 5.0 Surround soundtrack on the disc; along with a 2.0 DD Surround track. There's also audio in French 2.0 Surround. Plus a Commentary Track by Director Chris Columbus.

Other Disc Info ....................

> Subtitles? -- Yes (English and Spanish).

> Disc is Single-Sided.

> Paper "Scene Selection" Enclosure is included, featuring a different picture than the one on the front cover, which is unusual.

> Number of Chapters (Scenes) -- 23. Read more ›

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What you will do to see your kids? November 7, 2004

By Rob Darrah

Format:VHS Tape

Robin Williams and Sally Field star as Daniel and Miranda Hillard who start out as a happily married couple, but one day Miranda wakes up and realizes that she is tired of being the only adult in the family, especially after Daniel decided to turn the house into a circus.

So, they get a divorce, but unfortunately for Daniel, he hardly gets to see the kids, who definitely miss him. Miranda needs to hire some help to watch the kids in the afternoon. Since Daniel is an actor, he decides to respond to Miranda's ad in the newspaper. Of course, he goes through several different characters before he becomes Mrs. Eugenia Doubtfire.

By being Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel is able to see his kids all of the time. The funny thing is that when he becomes Mrs. Doubtfire, he actually becomes a better parent. He makes sure that the kids do their homework before anything else. He sets more limits for the kids as Mrs. Doubtfire than he ever would have as Daniel.

Robin Williams is excellent as Daniel, and Sally Field shines as Miranda. All of the kids are really good as well. Pierce Brosnan does a good job as Miranda's future love interest as well as Daniel's nemesis.

Chris Columbus does an excellent job in directing the cast to show a rather positive view of handling a divorce. Is this situation plausible in real life? Probably not, but it is nice to see a positive outlook of different families, and the fact that it is all about showing love to your children and making them feel loved and secure. Because as Mrs. Doubtfire says, sometimes it is better for parents to be away from each other than to constantly fight....

If you want to see Robin Williams doing what he does best, then you will enjoy watching him as Daniel, a father who will go to any lengths to be a part of his kids' lives. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent comedy with Robin Williams February 16, 2003

By Adelknight Seven

Format:DVD

From the beginning, I was enchanted by this awesome comedic performance. Mrs. Doubtfire is about a man who gets divorced but really loves his kids, and goes to extremes to be with them. What does he doe? He pretends to be a maid by dressing up as an old lady. Robin does a great job of playing Mrs. Doubtfire, and changing roles.

I loved this movie. Robin Williams does a great job at playing two people. It's really amazing how he can switch voices (everything from Gandi to a Mafia thug to an old lady, Mrs. Doubtfire). It's really a hilarious movie, and although it's a little old, it's a classic. It was so funny and is suitable for both kids and adults. It's a little bit suggestive in some places (but usually the language is advanced too).

If you haven't seen this movie, then you should buy this DVD ASAP. You are missing out on Robin Williams at his best!

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You mean like Shelley Winters older or Shirley MacLaine old? May 30, 2003

By M. Hart

Format:DVD

In 1993, Chris Columbus directed one of the funniest films that Robin Williams has ever starred in: "Mrs. Doubtfire". Based upon the novel "Alias Madame Doubtfire" written by Anne Fine, Robin Williams plays the role of Daniel Hillard, a frequently unemployed actor who specializes in voice impersonations. He and his wife Miranda (Sally Field) have three children: Lydia (Lisa Jakub), Chris (Matthew Lawrence) and Natalie (Mara Wilson). With Miranda working as a highly successful designer, Daniel spends more time with the children than she can. After Miranda comes home to find her home in total disarray with an uproarious birthday party for Chris that includes petting-zoo animals, she completely loses her temper and tells Daniel that she wants a divorce. Daniel is dumbstruck and eventually loses custody of the children to Miranda in court, but wants desperately to spend more time with them than his visitation privileges allow. Upon learning that Miranda plans to hire a nanny to stay with the children when she's at work, Daniel decides to present himself as a potential nanny to Miranda. With the aid of his brother Frank (Harvey Fierstein), who is a makeup artist, and his brother's partner Jack (Scott Capurro), Daniel is transformed into a kindly old woman that he names Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. Fooled by Daniel's disguise, Miranda hires Mrs. Doubtfire. The story heats up even more when Miranda is courted by an old friend, Stuart 'Stu' Dunmeyer (Pierce Brosnan).

The acting in the film, especially Sally Field and Robin Williams, is superb and the story is completely engaging. Memorable scenes in the film include Chris' birthday party, Daniel's first interview with the social worker Mrs.... Sellner (Anne Haney), Daniel getting a regular job, Daniel's various impersonations over the telephone, Frank & Jack testing various disguises on Daniel, Mrs. Doubtfire cooking her first dinner, Mrs. Sellner's visit to Daniel's apartment, the country club, and the restaurant. Other very memorable characters in the film include Jonathan Lundy (Robert Prosky), the bus driver (Sydney Walker), Mr. Sprinkles (William Newman), and Daniel's boss at the TV station (Joe Bellan).

If you enjoy films such as "Tootsie" (1982) and "Some Like It Hot" (1959), you're sure to enjoy "Mrs. Doubtfire". Overall, I rate "Mrs. Doubtfire" with 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a funny and engaging comedy. Read more ›