Here is a movie that you may have missed - The Secret Garden. Based on the classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett (author of A Little Princess), this version of The Secret Garden was produced by Francis Ford Coppola and co-stars none other than Maggie Smith (Professor Minerva McGonagall of Harry Potter fame).

The movie begins in India where the main character, Mary Lennox, loses her parents in a tragic earthquake. Having no other family, Mary goes home to a mansion in England called Misseltwhaite Manor, where she is taken in by her uncle who is mourning the loss of his wife. The uncle, Lord Craven, travels a lot to deal with the grief and leaves Mary in England with the housekeeper.

Mary begins to learn the truth - that her pregnant aunt died from a fall, and her child (Mary’s cousin) appears to be handicapped and also lives at Misselthwaite Manor. Mary also discovers the Secret Garden that belonged to her aunt and has long since been locked up and abandoned. Mary becomes friends with her cousin, and a few young servant children. Together they find warm friendship and laughter. Mary’s cousin, who was comically suppressed by the overprotective housekeeper, begins to thrive in the company of Mary and the children. And together the children rediscover The Secret Garden and nurse it back to beauty.

This movie is a lovely adaptation of classic literature. After seeing this movie, my children are eager to read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden and A Little Princess as well.