
A Little Princess
1995, Kids & family/Drama, 1h 37m
35 Reviews 100,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Alfonso Cuarón adapts Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel with a keen sense of magic realism, vividly recreating the world of childhood as seen through the characters. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
A Little Princess Photos
Movie Info
When young Sara (Liesel Matthews) is sent to a boarding school by her well-meaning World War I-bound father (Liam Cunningham), the imaginative girl makes the best of things by entertaining her friends with fanciful tales. After running afoul of the strict headmistress, Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron), Sara receives some heartbreaking news, and is forced to work in servitude. As she struggles to keep her spirits up, she makes some remarkable discoveries that may change her seemingly bleak fate.
Cast & Crew
Eleanor Bron
Miss Minchin
Miss Minchin
Liam Cunningham
Capt. Crewe, Prince Rama
Capt. Crewe, Prince Rama
Liesel Matthews
Sara Crewe
Sara Crewe
Rusty Schwimmer
Amelia Minchin
Amelia Minchin
Arthur Malet
Charles Randolph
Charles Randolph
Vanessa Lee Chester
Becky
Becky
Critic Reviews for A Little Princess
Audience Reviews for A Little Princess
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Sep 22, 2013One of the best children's films I've ever seen -- instantly likable and, after one viewing, a potential favorite. A great film in its own right -- magical and genial with a very likable protagonist. Mature work from Cuarón here, considering the realm of childhood fantasy.Kyle M Super Reviewer
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Oct 17, 2012A fairy tale that even the tiniest viewer would love about giving hope for the impoverished child through stories of an Indian mythology.Max G Super Reviewer
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Jul 28, 2012With a magic realism, Cuaron adaptation is a new vision of classic fairy tale.Lucas M Super Reviewer
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Apr 23, 2011Alfonso Cuaron, who did the amazing third "Harry Potter" film, brings us the well-done adaptation of the classic novel, "A Little Princess". Trust me, this has to be the longest 97 minutes in my life. The film felt like 2 1/2 hours, but there is more to that. A girl named Sara is sent from her home in India to New York City to attend a boarding school while her father is serving in WWI. After her father dies, Sara brings happiness to the girls of this school run by a stern headmistress by telling them amazing Hindi legends and making them believe that they are all princesses. Hence the title. She also makes the school's black servant girl feel good about herself. The story is very sweet and has a very good narrative structure. The story sequences were very good despite the bad CGI. My favorite part of the film had to be the production and costume design and I usually don't pay attention to aspects like that. Liesel Matthews is a very good actress. Sucks that she only did three things in her career: this, "Air Force One", and "Blast". When I saw her perform on the computer screen (I saw this instantly on Netflix), this thought came to my head: Why can't children act like this anymore? Nowadays, children act like they're going to cry or start laugh maniacally any second. Liesel shows how its done with her emotional and sweet performance. She is also very pretty. Also, I think the better young actresses are females. Take a look at Hailee Steinfeld and Chloe Mortez. Lighting, camera angles, they're all good here. Cuaron can really direct! He showed it in "Prisoner of Azkaban" and watching this made me want to see "Children of Men". The music adds a lot to the mood. Everything I mentioned above (Lighting, camera angles) add a bigger feel to the story. I have a good friend who has read the book and claims that this movie is pretty true the book by 75%. Pretty close to my rating. "A Little Princess" is no "Inception" or "Phone Booth" and doesn't require thinking when viewing but I advise you to be awake when viewing. It started to bore me towards the start of the film. Good film that you should watch if you like family films or cute, formal girls. Heh heh. The 95% rating on the Tomatometer is too high for me and I give this a 70%. I've seen much better films. But this is one of the better films I've seen recently. Nice direction and structure, "A Little Princess" is a very touching treat. When you watch it, you'll make this feel like it never flopped at the box office. Thanks for reading! Leave clean comments below. "Magic has to be believed. It's the only way it's real."Bentley L Super Reviewer
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