It is a performances centric movie

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

I have mixed feelings about this particular DVD release. I have watched this particular version of A Little Princess every Christmas for 10 years, so I know it by heart. It's my adult guilty pleasure. Originally, I had a cherished, recorded-from-the-TV version in 3 parts, and then a few years ago I bought a second-hand copy of the VHS. The only difference was that there were no recaps at the start of each chapter, like on my original recorded version. (I admit that I sort of missed them.. )I was thrilled to discover that this childhood favourite was FINALLY on DVD. I ordered it as soon as it was available, thinking I could finally replace my worn out VHS copy. Imagine my surprise when scenes I had never seen before began to appear in this DVD version. I thought it must be the original version as broadcast in 1986, as it was in 6 parts instead of 3. I was very excited at getting to see new material of this wonderful classic - until I realized to my dismay that some scenes were also cut out! For example, the scene where Sarah tells Lottie about heaven. Removed. And the scene where young Donald Carmichael goes to cheer up Carrisford, and the latter offers him some orange cordial. Gone. I know that it's only 30 or so seconds here and there, but those were two of my favourite scenes. And even though they've added new scenes that change the storyline slightly here and there, the scenes that they cut out would not have conflicted with the "new" material at all! Even the dialogue is ever so slightly different in places. No, it's not brand new voice-overs, it's like they originally recorded two versions of some scenes and aired one set on TV, but used the other set for this DVD. The DVD somehow seems... less British. Example: Ermengarde asks about Sarah's "playroom". In my VHS version, she asks about Sarah's "sitting room". Not to mention that the ending is changed quite a bit.. there is no longer any mention of the Ralph Crewe home for waifs and strays. Why would they chop stuff out and change it like this? I guess I'll have to continue hanging on to my old used VHS copy and occasionally watch this new version and see if I grow to accept it too. I hope another DVD is released with the version I know and love. One with these unfamiliar scenes added in bonus features.. or if this IS the original, then please put back the removed scenes as bonus features!To sum up: Hurray it's out on DVD. Hurray for new scenes that add more depth to my experience of this version of A Little Princess (though I would have preferred them as bonus features). Boooo to cutting out some really charming scenes and changing the dialogue for perhaps a more American audience (i.e. for no apparent reason).

I have seen the 1995, 1986, 1973 and 1939 versions of A Little Princess and, of all of them, this is my favorite. The acting is much better than in the more recent 1995 version and I appreciate how closely this adaptation sticks to the book. Amelia Shankley puts in a commendable performance as a most convincing Sara, and Nigel Havers supurbly portrays the festering guilt of the "Indian gentleman". Glowing supporting cast performances, particularly the heartwarming rendition of Ram Dass, played by Tariq Alibai round out this WonderWorks production. The lavish Victorian sets and costumes provide an authentic backdrop. Like the previous reviewer, I can't wait until this one comes out on DVD!

This is the best movie distributed by Wonderworks I have ever seen. The original version in 1939 was cute, and Shirley Temple is cute too, but cutely annoying! In the 1995 version,cool stuff happened, but it almost followed a totally different story! This follows the story with great anticipation, and I think that every actor or actress was picked perfectly for their part. Amelia Shankley did the best job of portraying Sara that I've ever seen. She acted marvelously, and sunk so deeply into the role that you almost forgot she was Amelia. I was never really into classics, until I got A Little Princess for a novel I had to read back in the eighth grade. This may not be very popular, but is definately a movie you gotta own. I would suggest deeply searching amazon.com (that's what I did) because otherwise it would be impossible to find since it went out of business a few years ago. Bottom line: WATCH THIS, YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

I've always supported this movie all my life as the most faithful production. The Brits really are the best when it comes to "cinematic reproductions of literary masterpieces",(as I like to call them). If you're looking for this movie I suggest either ordering it through amazon.com or check out your local library. I've owned this movie ever since I was a little girl. It was the first movie I ever owned and so I am greatly attached to it.