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37 reviews in total

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25 out of 25 people found the following review useful:
An excellent family film, 3 August 2004
Author: al-eaton from Longmont, Colorado

I worked at the Disney Studios when this film was made. It was given a wide showing to Studio employees prior to release. At that time there were no "main titles." We were also given a list of potential release titles, the simple "Candleshoe" winning out. The employee comments were overwhelmingly positive and the movie went on to do good business.

One reviewer commented that the movie contained a high level of violence for a live action Disney film. It is no more violent than many such Disney movies (just see the final fight in "Blackbeard's Ghost" for example). There are several general brawls in Candleshoe, (including the climatic battle between the good guys and the bad guys), but it all done tongue-in-cheek; it is totally unobjectionable, and meant purely for fun. This last "battle" is played so broadly in fact that one might even say it nearly goes "over the top."

David Niven is wonderful in a variety of roles, from the butler, to a gardener to a retired army colonel. (The role was originally set for Laurence Oliver.) This was the first of two Niven films for Disney, the other being "No Deposit, No Return."

The nice thing about "Candleshoe" is that it continues to entertain more than 25 years after its release.

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18 out of 18 people found the following review useful:
I Love It, 27 June 2000
Author: Anya-fan from USA

I'm not sure exactly why I love this film so much. It's not like it has shockingly wonderful performances, story, or setting. But it never fails to warm my heart and make me smile.

Fans of Jodie Foster will recognize her as the young teenage star of this film. She plays Casey, a foster child and juvenile delinquent. A British con man recognizes her as being strikingly similar to a young heiress who disappeared years earlier and offers her anything she wants if she will pretend to be the missing girl. He is certain that there is a treasure hidden in the house of the girl's grandmother, and he wants Casey to find it for him.

The story of how Casey becomes a part of this odd British family is heartwarming and sweet. It is classic Disney fare, without the pathetic romance that often destroys modern Disney films.

Watch this film if only for David Niven's performance as the butler, gardener, grandmother's best friend, and chauffeur.

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16 out of 17 people found the following review useful:
teddy and piggywig, 13 December 2003
Author: cheezman20 from california

I loved this movie as a kid and watched it so much that i had all the lines memorized and wore out the betamax tape. I love David Niven in this movie and it was actually the reason I wanted to see the David Lean movies... my favorite scene is where Lady St. Edmund and Priory share a last dance. Some of the puzzles have remained in my head (For the sunrise student there is treasure among books) and have formed a long-lasting obsession with pirate treasures and real-life hidden treasure stories (oak island and rennes-le-chateau). Too bad movies of this type are no longer being made.

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17 out of 19 people found the following review useful:
American girl deported to England, whereupon meeting two crooks is forced to co-operate in finding treasure belonging to an old lady., 30 May 2005

Author: bevaner from United Kingdom

Another Disney classic, a definite for young children and a movie I would recommend for families.

The country setting helps this film along as it reinforces the atmosphere being an "old" age film, set in the past, but not to far back. The acting by Jodie Foster in this film is delightful to watch as the tomboy cliché is used but to great effect. Another brilliant performance is by David Niven, the butler, but who undergoes changes in his personality to acquire different identities as to accompany his mistress in disguise, giving her a sense of many friendships.

Any fight scenes are classically in Disney fashion, amusing and inventive defences and preceding this, even a car chase magnificently manoeuvred by Mr. Prairy the butler (Niven)and much to any child's delight.

A film guaranteed to be loved by young children and even appreciated by the open-minded of older years but without a doubt, a family film enjoyed by all the family, including the grandparents!!

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12 out of 13 people found the following review useful:
A great family film, 28 January 2007
Author: young_for_eternity_0071 from United Kingdom

Possibly one of the best family films ever made by Disney. Jodie Foster is brilliant as the wayward teen who's going nowhere. Even at that early age you can see why she has gone on to become one of Hollywoods most successful actresses - she's definitely underrated.

Candleshoe is packed full of memorable one liners that just stick with you for months, even years, following watching this film.

I grew up watching it and have never stopped! Also, 'Grandmother's' accent is perfect, considering the actress herself is American.

Watch this film, you won't be disappointed!

Unfortunately I had to surf the Net and order it from America to get hold of my copy, but if you DO find it to buy, don't hesitate.

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13 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
Sentimental fun, 2 June 2003

Author: GroovyDoom from Haddonfield, IL

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This is one of those movies I know inside out after watching it on HBO every time it was on (which was quite often). These live-action Disney flicks don't seem to get a lot of attention nowadays, but when I was a kid I was more into movies like "Candleshoe" than the animated Disneys.

Obviously the charm of "Candleshoe" is the talent involved. Helen Hayes and David Niven are on hand, and Jodie Foster is splendid as the American orphan who becomes part of a con man's plot to swindle Hayes's Lady St. Edmund out of a fortune that is hidden somewhere in her very own manse. Goaded by Leo McKern, Foster poses as Hayes's long-lost granddaughter in order to gain admittance to the mansion, where she must follow up on a series of clues regarding the hidden treasure's location.

Although definitely made for kids, the best thing about "Candleshoe" is that it's just as fun watching as an adult. The plot has a certain giddy excitement to it--after all, who could resist a treasure hunt in an old mansion?--and David Niven's many disguises are pretty funny (especially his grouchy Scottish gardener who has an amusing argument with Lady St. Edmund). The other kids in the movie are enjoyable, too.

What really strikes me about the film today are the two surprisingly adult scenes between Hayes and Foster. The way Hayes wins over the distant Foster is a little abbreviated, but the film's denouement between the two of them at the train station is genuinely touching.

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13 out of 15 people found the following review useful:
Jodie Foster is wonderful!, 1 January 2001
Author: (tomcruisemissionimpossible2@hotmail.com)

This movie is the movie that made me truly fall in love with jodie foster! I don't particularly know why but there is just something about her in Candleshoe that is different from even "Freaky Friday". The acting in this movie is generally very good, with stars like David Niven and Helen Hayes (Of course Jodie), to liven up the cast. This movie is great for younger and older audiences! The fight scene at the end is a bit long, but other than that the movie is awesome!

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17 out of 23 people found the following review useful:
the best film EVER!!!, 3 February 2001

Author: Nicky Braithwaite from Birmingham England

This film has become cult viewing amongst the students of Birmingham, England, with its quirky Disney humour, its cracking one-liners (they're nice and squashy! whats grandmother going to say when she finds out! better take the garlic! ) top performances, (why did Bobby never work again? ) and a storming soundtrack by the fantastic Ron Goodwin! Parties of students have been found wandering through the Warwickshire countryside on a pilgrimage to Compton Wynyates, aka Candleshoe!The walk was 26 miles in the rain but everyone agreed that it was definitely worth it!!!Candleshoe is quite possibly the best film ever made and Disney at its finest!!!!

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10 out of 11 people found the following review useful:
One of the BEST Disney Live Action Family Movies Of Its Time, 18 March 2007

Author: Fiendish_Dramaturgy from .: Fiendish Writings in the Dark :.

Before this vehicle became contrived, Disney did it while it was still fresh. A group of orphans must save the castle in which their adoptive "grandmother" has housed them. This work involves some intrigue and a very young Jodi Foster as a nearly incorrigible ruffian girl.

This is a lot of fun, but it also bears some touching moments, endearing characters, and a great script. Honestly, this is one of my favorites of the Disney Family series. It offers you hope, love, and a promise of better things to come.

This is truly good.

It rates an 8.9/10 from...

the Fiend :.

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10 out of 14 people found the following review useful:
Well done. Bravo, 3 July 2000

Author: (Normy18) from Coon Rapids, MN

One of Jodie Foster's first roles, but she succeeds brilliantly despite a script with some corny verbatim. Very tomboyish but still gorgeous and her demeanor and acting ability far surpass her years. Niven is great fun playing several roles, all while trying to keep a straight face. Fight scene near end perhaps a bit overlong and typical, but maintains some humour. Average script is made up for with strong, tender performances in a children's movie (which probably only appeals to adults, now)which surprisingly is not emotionally manipulative. 7/10

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