Madeline

1998, Comedy/Kids & family, 1h 30m

31 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

It may be a tad tedious for older viewers, but Madeline's clever, adventurous heroine is likely to charm its intended audience. Read critic reviews

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Madeline Photos

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Movie Info

Parisian schoolgirl and orphan Madeline (Hatty Jones) schemes to save her boarding school and home from being closed and sold by its owner, the severe Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne), whose benevolent wife (Stéphane Audran) has recently passed away. Madeline's sweet antics are often a burden to her goodhearted but stern headmistress, Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand), whose true appreciation of Madeline is revealed when Madeline and a schoolboy named Pepito (Kristian de la Osa) are kidnapped.

Cast & Crew

Frances McDormand
Miss Clavel
Nigel Hawthorne
Lord Covington (segment "Lord Cucuface")
Hatty Jones
Madeline
Ben Daniels
Leopold the Tutor
Arturo Venegas
Mr. Spanish Ambassador
Stéphane Audran
Lady Covington
Katia Caballero
Mrs. Spanish Ambassador
Chantal Neuwirth
Helene the Cook
Kristian de la Osa
Pepito
Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Director
Ludwig Bemelmans
Writer
Malia Scotch Marmo
Writer
Mark Levin
Writer
Jennifer Flackett
Writer
Stanley R. Jaffe
Executive Producer
Allyn Stewart
Producer
Michel Legrand
Original Music
Carly Simon
Original Music
Pierre Aïm
Cinematographer
Jeffrey Wolf
Film Editing
Hugo Luczyc-Wyhowski
Production Design
Bertrand Clercq-Roques
Art Director
Gerard Drolon
Art Director
Rebecca Holmes
Art Director
Aline Bonetto
Set Decoration
Michael Clancy
Costume Design
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Critic Reviews for Madeline

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (11) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (11)
Full Review… Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly Full Review… Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Susan Stark Detroit News Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Jeffrey Huston Jeff Huston's Believe Me Full Review… Eric Lurio Greenwich Village Gazette Full Review… Daniel M. Kimmel Worcester Telegram & Gazette
View All Critic Reviews (31)

Audience Reviews for Madeline

  • Sep 06, 2010
    A great adaptation of the children's series. The actors do a fine job, the story is good, and it's an entertaining movie.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jun 06, 2010
    "Madeline", the movie, is based on the children's books by Ludwig Bemelman featuring the spirited redheaded heroine, as the titular character who is the youngest of twelve girls living at a school which is about to be closed by Lord Cucuface (known in the movie as Lord Covington) after his wife dies. Madeline is as cute as a button and sometimes mischievous. Miss Clavel as the nun is a wonderful supporting character who is always trying to keep Madeline out of trouble. Pepito called "the Bad Hat" by the girls due to his bratty nature is the Spanish ambassador's son who lives next door to the girls. An endearing family film that is enjoyable to watch. The kids will love it.
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Jan 23, 2010
    Oh man... I saw this when it came out... YEARS ago.... really the book is MUCH better
    Jennifer D Super Reviewer
  • Dec 29, 2008
    Watched this on tv with my son and thought it quite entertaining
    Greg Super Reviewer
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