Madeline (1998)

Redheaded young girl Madeline is very good at getting into trouble, but she's also fantastic in solving problems as well, and her school-mistress Miss Clavel is not too approving of her. ... See full summary »

Director:

Daisy von Scherler Mayer

Writers:

Ludwig Bemelmans (books), Malia Scotch Marmo (screen story),

Stars:

Frances McDormand, Nigel Hawthorne, Hatty Jones

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frances McDormand	...	Miss Clavel
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Lord Covington (segment "Lord Cucuface")
Hatty Jones	...	Madeline
Ben Daniels	...	Leopold the Tutor
Arturo Venegas	...	Mr. Spanish Ambassador
Stéphane Audran	...	Lady Covington
Katia Caballero	...	Mrs. Spanish Ambassador
Chantal Neuwirth	...	Helene the Cook
Kristian de la Osa	...	Pepito (as Kristian De La Osa)
Clare Thomas	...	Aggie
Bianca Strohmann	...	Vicki (as Bianca Strôhman)
Christina Mangani	...	Chantal
Rachel Dennis	...	Lucinda
Pilar Garrard	...	Beatrice
Jessica Mason	...	Serena

Storyline

Redheaded young girl Madeline is very good at getting into trouble, but she's also fantastic in solving problems as well, and her school-mistress Miss Clavel is not too approving of her. The biggest problem comes up when Lord Covington decides to sell Madeline's school.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | school | female protagonist | spanish ambassador | saying grace | 

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Taglines:

In an old house in Paris, that was covered with vines...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for momentary language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

France USA

Language:

English French Spanish

Release Date:

10 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Madeline - il diavoletto della scuola

Filming Locations:

Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£224,844 (UK) (12 February 1999)

Gross:

£2,324,514 (UK) (9 April 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Jaffilms, Madeline Films, TriStar Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Lord Covington: [to Mr. and Mrs. Spanish Ambassador] If I may say so, your little boy is a menace!

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Connections

Version of The New Adventures of Madeline (1995)

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Soundtracks

"What a Wonderful World"
Written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele
Performed by Louis Armstrong
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under License from Universal Special Markets

User Reviews

Madeline, the movie, is as charming as it's heroine

Taken from the classic books by Ludwig Bemelmans, Madeline is the darling story of 12 little girls who live in a boarding school. The woman in charge of the home is a nun, Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). Red-headed Madeline is the smallest of the girls but is, nevertheless, fearless and curious. The film follows Madeline's escapades as she has her appendix out, clashes with Pepito (the boy next door), falls in the river and more. There is a subplot concerning the approaching sale of the school and what it will mean to the girls who live there. Is it possible to have a happy ending?

This extremely watchable movie for children is a wonderful addition to the repertoire of good children's films. Hatty Jones is a delight as Madeline and the other little girls are fun and expressive. The leap from book to movie is smooth and successful; the film includes many of the books' key elements and will thus be appreciated by Bemelmans' fans. There is more than enough action and humor to keep children interested from start to finish. Adults will be charmed by the film as well. Recommended for families who are looking for quality alternatives to Disney, Beethoven the dog, Charlotte's Web, etc.