Madeline

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

31 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

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

Madeline (1998)

Madeline (1998)

Madeline (1998)

Madeline (1998)

Madeline (1998)

Madeline (1998)

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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.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Kids & family, Comedy, Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Producer:

Allyn Stewart
Writer:

Ludwig Bemelmans, Malia Scotch Marmo, Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett
Release Date (Theaters):

Jul 10, 1998 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jan 6, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA):

$29.8M
Runtime:

1h 30m
Distributor:

Columbia Tristar, TriStar Pictures
Sound Mix:

SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround
Aspect Ratio:

Flat (1.85:1)

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

Show all Cast & Crew

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

See All Audience reviews