I first fell in love with this movie in 2003 when I watched it at school. Prior to watching the flick, I had never read the book "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett. There are many film versions of novel but I prefer the one made in 1996.
Mary Lennox is a rude, spoiled British girl who lives with her parents in India. The Lennoxs are too occupied to care for Mary or make attempts to talk with her. One day while heading out (this is not clearly stated in the movie), Mr. & Mrs. Lennox are tragically killed in a sudden earthquake, orphaning Mary.
Mary is sent to live with her estranged uncle and new guardian in England. Much like her parents, Mary's uncle Lord Archibald Craven is also busy with work and does not retrieve Mary from the docking station. Mrs. Medlock, Lord Craven's personal attendant brings Mary to the Craven Manor and tells her that Lord Craven is often absent from home.
While exploring the grounds of the Craven Manor Mary discovers a secret, abandoned garden. She makes it her mission to restore the garden along with the help of her new friend Dickon.
One night Mary learns that she has a cousin the same age as her -- Colin, residing in the Craven Manor but hidden by the maids. Colin is extremely sick and the maids believe that if he comes in contact with outsiders, such as Mary, his illness will become more severe. Secretly at night Mary begins visiting Colin and the two become close friends. Mary learns of Colin's troubles among his father and the disclosure he felt with his mother.
Since Mary sensed her mother's presence at the secret garden she makes it a priority to take Colin there one day. Mary also wishes to reunite Colin with his father who he feels has abandoned him because he is a constant reminder of his deceased mother.
The 1993 movie hints that Colin is beginning to fall in love with Mary and Mary is returning his affection. When Mary shows Dickon the secret garden she seems hopeful to restore it. But in the novel Frances Hodgson Burnett hints at mild sexuality between Mary and Colin through Mary's exhilaration and panting when she introduces Colin to the garden.
The 1987 version toys with this idea a little further. Colin and Dickon become infatuated with Mary and vie for her attention. Nonetheless Mary can relate more to Colin and seems to ignore Dickon. Feeling rejected, Dickon confronts Mary by confessing his feelings and telling her that it is clear she loves Colin. A few years later Colin tells Mary that Dickon died while serving overseas in WWI. He also proposes to Mary in the secret garden and Mary accepts his offer of marriage.
As I mentioned before, I absolutely adore The Secret Garden movies. However I especially like the 1993 version because it is well written and follows the book for the most part. The soft music fits the scenes and emotions displayed by the characters. Although the child actors were only 10 years-old, their acting skills were amazing. There were only minimal flaws in the movie. Firstly Lord Archibald Craven did not look British, but from Italian descent. Secondly, Mrs. Medlock was portrayed as a villainous character forcing Mary and Colin apart when in the novel, she was a harmless maid attempting to protect Colin. Lastly the death of the Lennox's were reconstructed because in the novel, they die from cholera. All in all I enjoyed this movie as a kid and I recommend young Whyvillians to see it, because it is heartfelt and sweet.
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