Heidi (2005/I)

Director:

Paul Marcus

Writers:

Brian Finch (screenplay)
Johanna Spyri (novel)

Release Date:

19 August 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Family

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Hut | Alps | Goat | Grandfather | Servant

Cast

Emma Bolger	...	Heidi
Max von Sydow	...	Uncle Alp
Geraldine Chaplin	...	Rottenmeier
Diana Rigg	...	Grandmamma
Pauline McLynn	...	Aunt Detie
Sam Friend	...	Peter
Jessica Claridge	...	Clara
Del Synnott	...	Sebastian
Kellie Shirley	...	Tinette
Robert Bathurst	...	Mr. Sessemann
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Dr. Classen
Caroline Pegg	...	Bridget
Jessica James	...	Grannie
Alexander Main	...	Frankfurt Boy
Karl Johnson	...	Old Man

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | UK:U | Ireland:G

Filming Locations:

Slovenia

Company:

Piccadilly Pictures

Nice Try, But Falls Short

In this version of "Heidi" one sees a stellar cast, and enough resemblance to the book that it could have been an earnest try, but enough deviations to annoy the true "Heidi" reader. They went to the trouble of casting a girl with beautiful brown hair instead of the ridiculous blond braids too often associated with Heidi, but then don't bother to curl the hair. If they didn't want to have a hairdresser every day, they couldn't give the child a permanent before going on location? They get the exact right color of goats, then get the goats' NAMES wrong! The German names are pretty easy to pronounce, and there are always the English "Little Swan" and "Little Bear," BUT NO! The goats have to be Dusty and Daisy like they live in Wyoming or something! There are also a number of probably well-intended plot deviations, not one of which improves the movie, which is glacially slow paced. It is enough like the book to be tolerable, but not enough like to be enjoyable. Too bad because the acting, costumes, sets, and camera work are great. Foothills, but no mountain peak for this one.