A Little Princess

Rating:
Summary: A Little Princess Is One Of A kind!
Review: When I read this book, it made me think about things that I hadn't for a long time. It made me cry when poor little Sara thought she had lost her fahter in the war. I thought it was so cruel for Miss Minchin to make Sara work. But at the end it was tight because Sara had found her father. This is an emotional story for any young reader to read. It has all kinds of things for you to experience.That is why this story is one of a kind.

Rating:
Summary: Not sure what to think of this one...
Review: When I was about 5 or 6 years old, my mom read the book "A Little Princess" to me and I was fascinated (I have reread parts of it several times since.) A few years later, I saw the BBC movie "A Little Princess." Just yesterday, I saw Warner Brothers' version.

It was a good movie in its own way, but I was really bothered by how much they changed the story. The worst part was probably how Sara herself acted. Instead of being kind and considerate of all people's feelings, she instead waltzes down the stairs--Lottie, I can't study when you're making so much noise!" And in the book, she was at least polite towards the snobby girl, Lavinia. In this movie, she acted just as snobby back to her.

Also, in the book, Miss Minchin treated Sara just like a princess, let her have whatever she wanted, and pampered her. Only after Captain Crewe died did Miss Minchin mistreat her in any way.

Oh, and what's with the ending? Captain Crewe did not--NOT--live. Actually, he wasn't even in the war at all. This was WAY before World War I even started. Instead, he invested all his money in diamond mines and (supposedly) lost it, which put a strain on his already indelicate health, causing him to become very ill and die. This movie, however, has the happy ending of Sara's finding her father.

Somany things were added into this movie that were not in the book that I can't even count them. I admit that this movie is exciting, funny, dramatic, etc, and I would reccommend seeing it.

I think this film could have stood on its own feet without being based on "A Little Princess."

Rating:
Summary: Amazing book!
Review: When I was around 6 years old my mother rented the movie, "A Little Princess". Of course, being that young I didn't really like or appreciate it and never really wanted to read the book. A few years later my sister bought the book which she read and really liked, but I still didn't want to read it. Just a few years ago I saw a play that my high school put on, A Little Princess, and I loved it! Right when I got home I started to read the book, and finished it by the next day. It's one of the best books I have ever read!

The book is about a little girl named Sara Crewe, who's father was a Captain in India. She is sent to Miss Minchin's bording school in England where she is surrounded in weath, friends and her big imagination. On her 11th birthday she learns something really sad... her father, the dearest person in the world to her, died due to brain fever & being cheated of all his money. Miss Minchin then makes Sara into a maid because she has no money left, and she has to sleep in the attic with all the mice and roaches...

There is so much more to the story than that so don't worry if I said to much. Don't do as I did, and read the book as soon as you finish reading this review, you won't be sorry! Oh, and by the way, once you finished reading this book, try some of the other books by Frances Hodgson Burnett, she rights tons of other really great books too!

Rating:
Summary: Tears my heart out!
Review: When I was six years old, I somehow became convinced that I was a princess. As a result, I now have a copy of this book inscribed "Christmas 1976...From the Queen".

I hadn't read it before, but it instantly became one of my favorites. I was reading it in bed when I got to the scene where Sara finds out her father is dead; I had to stop reading and cry myself to sleep.

There are other scenes, though, that didn't make me cry then, but they sure do now. "Guy Clarence" giving his sixpence to Sara, so convinced that he's setting her up for life. Sara giving away the currant buns to the real beggar child, and the shopkeeper's reaction: "Left just one for herself. And she could have eaten the whole six. I saw it in her eyes." And the very last scene: "Her name is Anne. She has no other."

Another scene that doesn't make me cry, but is still very moving, is when Ram Dass drops into Sara's attic to retrieve the monkey. That conversation plays on so many levels. First of all, he's respectful because she's white and female: kind of creepy from today's perspective, but OTOH, it's been a long time, at that point, since anyone has shown her any real respect. But, because they are both servants, he can be forthright with her, not just say "Yes, Missee Sahib" as he might have when she was wealthy. And moreover, it's refreshing for her to talk with him about India, which she apparently misses a lot. She was never miserable there, at any rate!

And this scene is crucial, because after he leaves, she is face to face with the realization that her life is not going to get any better (as it stood, without Burnett's plot machinations). She mulls this, then decides, "Whatever comes cannot alter one thing. If I am a princess in rags and tatters, I can be a princess inside." Much more inspiring than that sappy "All girls are princesses" junk from the movie.

Also, I realize now that Ermengarde really is dumb! Early on, Sara didn't need to be told that Becky was hungry, and having so much to spare, she freely shared food with her; nutritious stuff as well as delicacies. But Ermengarde has to be hit over the head with the concept before she timidly asks, "Sara...Are *you* ever hungry?" DUH! Miss Michin breaking up the feast was brutal beyond redemption, but Ermengarde was also remiss. She could have been smuggling food to Sara all along!

My only regret is that my copy does not have the Tasha Tudor illustrations. I have seen them, and they are very fine, but I'm not giving up my copy at this stage!

Rating:
Summary: The story starts...
Review: when Sara Crewe is taken to London by her father. She is to start school at Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Young Ladies. Sara meets many people at Miss Minchin's, including Ermengarde and Lottie, her new friends. After having lived at Miss Minchin's till she was eleven, a horrible misfortune left Sara without a penny to her name. She was made to live in the attic, and wear old clothes that were much outgrown. But one day, something happens to change her life...

Rating:
Summary: A Little Princess is a very well written book.
Review: When Sara Crewe's father dies and leaves her with no money Miss Minchin, the owner of the school,does not know what to do with her. Miss Minchin decides Sara is to live in the attic and run errands for the cook. Sara was once the richest girl in the school, but now she is basically a slave. Living in the cold, lonely attic Sara is stuck with barely any food and one dress that does not fit. Sara is so lonely she starts to make friends with a mouse living in the attic wall and the two girls that sneak up to her room. After many years of living in the attic Sara's life begins to change for the better. Her hope of someone moving in next door comes true and she makes friends with the man. Someone is even leaving things in her room like food, blankets, and a fire to warm up the room. Will things get better for Sara? I think the book was very well written. It was interesting and kept you wondering what would happen to Sara next.

Rating:
Summary: Very womanly and sensitive...it has a fairy tale quality...
Review: which brushes the heart like a brush upon a canvas. I have viewed this film many many times. A couple of nights ago, I even viewed it two times in a row. I absolutely love it.

I went to a mall to purchase it and traveled on a bus to get there. When I was returning a lady that was sitting in front of me heard me talk about the film with my friend whom came with me. She immediately turned around and said she loved the film too. Now the funny thing is this lady is in her 40s! I laughed and realized people will always love old-fashioned tales of good winning over evil with a fairy tale quality.

As was written on the VHS, "this movie is magic and stunningly beautiful!" and it is. Although I am not Indian, nor am I aware of any of the Hindu tales, Sara Crewe was very aware of the tales in the film. As you watch this movie you learn much about the fantasy oriented tales India had. Even her father said, "India is the only place that stirs the imagination!"

Above all this, I recomend this film to all women and little girls who want to see a fairy tale. It is most like Cinderella.

Rating:
Summary: There's a better version, true to the book
Review: While this version of A Little Princess is not necessarily bad, the producers took so many liberties with Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel that people who've read the book may be unable to watch it. The boarding school is in London, not New York, for example, and the addition of songs and fuzzily filmed dancing detracts. If you want the accurate and entertaining version, go for the WonderWorks A Little Princess with Amelia Shankley, Maureen Lipman, Miriam Margolys, and Nigel Havers. I hope you need not be warned away from the Shirley Temple version.

Rating:
Summary: What was the point
Review: Why bother making a film of a Little Princess without actually reading it. The book was set in the 19th century and the father never came back, he was dead. Also why the move to America?