The Borrowers (1997)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Peter Hewitt

Writers (WGA):

Mary Norton (novels)
Gavin Scott (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

The screen's smallest heroes in the year's biggest adventure.

Plot:

The Borrowers are four-inch high "little people" who live under the floorboards. When the owner of the...

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | Little People | Police | Dairy | Miniature People

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

John Goodman	...	Ocious P. Potter
Mark Williams	...	Exterminator Jeff
Jim Broadbent	...	Pod Clock
Celia Imrie	...	Homily Clock
Flora Newbigin	...	Arrietty 'Ett' Clock
Tom Felton	...	Peagreen Clock
Raymond Pickard	...	Spud Spiller
Bradley Pierce	...	Pete 'Petey' Lender
Aden Gillett	...	Joe Lender
Doon Mackichan	...	Victoria Lender
Hugh Laurie	...	Police Officer Steady
Ruby Wax	...	Town Hall Clerk
Andrew Dunford	...	Dustbunny
Bob Goody	...	Minty Branch
Patrick Monckton	...	Swag (as Patrick Monkton)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild peril and some crude humor.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:All | UK:U (tv rating) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 (bw) | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL (original rating) | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #35227) | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Ealing Town Hall, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

When Arietty is in Pete's room, the plastic figure she knocks down is 'Little Bear' from The Indian in the Cupboard (1995).

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Similarly, the geographical location is entirely fictional, so that accents, uniforms, vocabulary, currency, vehicles and driving styles are not consistent with any given country.

Quotes:

Peagreen Clock: [Repeated Line] I don't like milk.

Movie Connections:

References Star Wars (1977)

Soundtrack:

Weird

A very fun film with a great look

I was charmed by this movie and cannot understand the venom unleashed upon it by some of the other reviews. I don't have any kids, nor do I spend a whole lot of time watching movies geared towards them, but most "kiddie fare" seems so saccharine and preachy, with screeching soundtracks and day-glo color schemes all designed to work as commercials for happy meals and action figures that this one stands out because it's just plain fun. The production design and special effects are unique -- and purposefully so. Some reviews have complained that the film is not set in a readily identifiable time or place, but that's the charm; set in a kind of timeless anywhere that is both familiar and foreign, with the kind of hazy details and warm glow that suggest a fond childhood memory/fantasy. If you expect some Dizneefied, pre-fabbed, pre-digested offering that hits all of the right beats at the right moments with such predictability that you can set your watch to them, skip this. (Or watch "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut," because it sure mimics the form while subverting the content.) If you want something fun and imaginative, different from the usual, give this a try. And if the kids complain that it's boring, send them to bed and watch it yourself.