Pollyanna Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
Pollyanna is a young orphan with a positive, cheerful personality who comes to live with her wealthy, embittered, spinster aunt. She introduces everyone to her preacher father's favorite "Glad Game" and ends up transforming not only her aunt's life but the entire town. When the selfless, caring Pollyanna is severely injured in an accident, her spirits dip uncharacteristically, and the townsfolk rally around to help her regain her perspective, to rejoice in God and look for the good.
| Amanda Burton | Aunt Polly |
| Kenneth Cranham | Mr. Pendleton |
| Georgina Terry | Pollyanna |
| Aden Gillett | Dr. Chiltern |
| Pam Ferris | Mrs. Snow |
| Kate Ashfield | Nancy |
| Tom Bell | Old Tom |
| Tom Ellis | Tim |
| David Bamber | Reverend Ford |
| Ben Thornton | Jimmy Bean |
| Judy Flynn | Milly Snow |
| Amanda Walker | Widow Benton |
| Nicola Duffett | Mrs. Payson |
| Jan Carey | Mr. Pendleton's Maid |
| Jane Nash | Mrs. Ford |
| Sarah Harding |
7.50 out of 10 (189 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Typical well acted and directed British film
posted on 25 Aug 2008I saw this film on PBS to-day and was deeply touch by it,I saw the two Hollywood versions of this many years ago,being young I was not too impressed with either,this film was done with typical British feeling,the scenes were wonderful and the acting very believable so that it was only after that I took particular note of their names that I realised how well they had played their parts and managed to conceal their own personalities,I was very impressed with Georgina Terry,her portrayal of Pollyanna was more believable than the two actresses who play that part in the Hollywood version.she touch my heart more because she reminded me of my 11 year old Grand-daughter,who is almost as bubbly and chatty.I hope to see more of her.
Way better than Hayley Mills!
posted on 15 Dec 2007This just showed on television tonight and I can't contain my joy and happiness for it. Last year mum bought the Hayley Mills version on DVD which I had used to like as a young girl but kind of stopped watching because my older sisters said it was 'so stupid and babyish.' So last year I renewed my love for Pollyanna and then I found the book in our library and read it and loved it again and again. I actually was reading it today on the bus (a different library's copy). And yesterday mum was telling me that she saw an ad for Pollyanna that's a different version and I was so excited. I had a little pet peeve with the Hayley Mill's Pollyanna because it completely strayed from the book, though the essence of gladness is still there. I started watching it tonight and pulled out the book from my bag and read along during those enormously long commercial breaks, and well I've only seen this and the other version of Pollyanna, I'm so glad to find it so in tune with the book completely! Amanda Burton is such a good actress and she would've been a good silent film actress with such a stunning ability to convey emotion with looks. I do think Jane Wyman did a very good job as Aunt Polly too! Pollyanna (Georgiana Terry) was so much how I imagined from the book, except for some occurrences of storming out of the room which I thought was a bit out of character for the happy girl, and was so adorable how could Aunt Polly and everybody help but love her.Dr. Chilton (not Chiltern) was much how I pictured him as well and had a very nice look about him. It was all so faithful to the book, I am very very glad about that, and now I don't know how I could ever watch the other version again, though I probably will until I own this one on DVD. Yes. I shed tears at the end. It was wonderful! I'd like to think that Elanor H. Porter would be very pleased because as a Pollyanna lover I am!
A great adaptation by ITV!
posted on 02 Dec 2006Amanda Burton plays, as usual, a great role in this drama which is particularly moving in parts. The plot is very interesting and the costumes and settings are second to none. Georgina Terry was a wonderful actress in this for someone who was so young and Pam Ferris always adds her touch of comedy to dramas!Great drama! 10/10!
the little girl who brings sunshine wherever she goes
posted on 13 Sep 2006This TV version of the popular novel by Eleanor H Porter comes to the screen with all the usual story lines intact. Directed by Sarah Harding and adapted by Simon Nye, it is more than a match for the classic film versions with Hayley Mills and Mary Pickford.Pollyanna is sent to live with her aunt, played by Amanda Burton, in the country, where she finds most of the village have dark secrets which cause them unhappiness. The little girl is something of a close cousin to Jane Austen's Emma in her determination to bring happy endings and match-make couples. It takes a personal tragedy for everything to come together and for all the riddles to be solved.A film with great charm, filmed well and enhanced by performances by the likes of Kenneth Cranham (the embittered Mr Pendleton), and Aden Gillett, the doctor. Pollyanna herself is played by newcomer Georgina Terry, and I hope we see more of her.
not my usual cup of tea
posted on 08 Aug 2006I didn't mean to watch this movie on TV, but it just happened to be on, and I just couldn't turn it off. It's a typical piece of mawkish victorian children's literature that gets lined up for the Disney treatment. A couple of hours later, and with a tear in my eye, I had to admit they'd done a good job, and now I want to read the book. I'd always assumed this was an American book, so I looked it up, and seems it's was originally set in Vermont, so I guess this is a bit of a perverse, reverse export.OK. It's not the greatest movies you'll ever see, but I gave it 10 out of 10 because I think it did what it had set out to do, was a really good watch, and managed to draw me right in, and I can't imagine anybody not loving this TV movie.Even tho it's not my usual cup of tea.
A Remake Better Than The Originals
posted on 01 Nov 2005This 2003 Masterpiece Theatre version of "Pollyanna" is the ultimate feel-good movie and because it is a bit less sappy than the 1960 Disney version you can enjoy repeated viewings anytime you need some cheering up. The new version is also more faithful to Eleanor Porter's original 1913 story and more focused on characterization than on elaborate set design and visual dynamics (there is no town fair and the comic relief has a more mature quality). And the setting is moved to Edwardian England with liberal use of wide angle lenses to capture the lush countryside.The real improvement, however, is in the casting of the title character. Georgina Terry, with her red hair and freckles, projects such effortless charm that even the most cynical should be won over. Hayley Mills' performance was more forced and she was really too old for the role. Terry's Pollyanna is much more convincing, both in her continuing attachment to her father and in her struggles to play his glad game in the face of so much adversity. "I suppose it's as easy to be happy about things as to not be". This struggle was at the core of Porter's story and the 2003 version makes a real effort to construct a multi-dimensional Pollyanna who would have met with Porter's and her readers' approval.Otherwise, the physical casting of the two movies are amazingly similar. Amanda Burton and Pam Ferris in particular conjure up vivid memories of their predecessors Jane Wyman and Agnes Moorehead. Burton portrays Aunt Polly more sympathetically, much more in line with Porter's original characterization. Instead of a ruthless and conniving queen bee, she is more hurt than mean. The tip off comes early as she amusingly allows herself to be persuaded by Tim (Tom Ellis) to purchase a motor car. Tim provides most of the film's comic relief as his prowess with automobiles is contrasted with his shy and awkward romantic overtures toward Nancy (both motor car and romance are creations of the adaptation and not part of the Porter's original story). And Aunt Polly's obsession with flies is nicely played for laughs.There is a trade-off between the versions relative to the characters. Moorehead's Mrs. Snow was more memorable and entertaining; Ferris is not given enough material. Conversely, Kenneth Cranham (Mr. Pendleton) has more to work with than did Adolphe Menjou (Mr. Pendergast) and is not handicapped by having to share scenes with Kevin Corcoran. As in the book, the less irritating Jimmy Bean (Ben Thornton) of the 2003 version has a smaller role and there is more emphasis on Pollyanna's individual relationship with Mr. Pendleton (who was once in love with Pollyanna's mother).The only real weakness of the Masterpiece Theatre version was the need to adapt the story to a compressed 90-minute running time. This was to some extent a mixed blessing because while there are transitional gaps, the time constraints forced them to get creative ant this led to some nice sequences. A montage of a bewildered Aunt Polly receiving a parade of townspeople extolling Pollyanna's virtues is especially good, and it nicely sets her up for a mild scolding by Nancy about not allowing Pollyanna to speak openly about her father. They also responded positively to the running time issue by jumping right into the story at the beginning (just running the titles over the scene) and by wrapping things up with an understated ending that let the audience just interpret what they were seeing.The "Pollyanna" story has a timeless appeal for children who get off on her ability to influence adults but this film version is also a wonderful family film. This convincing story of how an 11-year-old girl's indomitable spirit positively impacts everyone around her offers enough nuances to keep adults entertained and may even elicit a few tears from otherwise cynical observers.Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
My favourite adaptation
posted on 17 Jul 2004I have to say, I enjoyed this version of the wonderful book by Eleanor H. Porter because I believe it is more true to how she would want it portrayed. They use most of the story lines, and create some nice ones to go along with the originals!I loved this version from the moment I saw it. I taped it from ITV and have nearly worn out the tape. I read the book when I was about 11, and have adored it ever since, and I thought this version only complimented it.I purchased the other, older version by Disney a little while ago and found it very sickly sweet, like many Disney films, though often, they are tempered with a moral. This was, but the sweetness and goofiness if I may speak plainly, overtook the story and did not add anything to it.This version, on the other hand, was excellent and even my brother, who hates these types of movies, can sit through it quite easily and happily. I love Amanda Burton's portrayal of Polly Harrington, it was just like I had envisioned and I loved Mr Pendleton, not Perndergast.Thank you for your time, I would advise you watch the film and think of your own opinion!
A matter of my own opinion
posted on 28 Feb 2004Of course I saw the original and was curious about this one. I was disappointed in the movie and maybe it was closer to the book than the Disney version, but I found that this Pollyanna couldn't compare to the one played by Hayley Mills. The people looked more glamorous and that's not surprising since there's such a difference in decades. I guess I enjoyed the feeling of the Disney movie more than this one. The original invoked so much more emotion. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this one too, but not nearly as much. Disney movies get a bad rap for putting out feel good movies, but I think they give the children and audience a chance to gain a curiosity for the subjects in their movies. So whether they changed things or not it made this movie more watchable to see the differences. Doesn't matter if it was done in the States or Great Britain. Should never really matter as long as the effect of the story is put across. In this aspect the movie done now still has that, like the Disney version. Obviously seeing one before the other will taint your idea of what the best movie is, both have something different to offer. Just watch the movie and see for yourself. Your opinion is the only one that matters when it comes to what you like and don't.
A slightly sentimental adventure, yet at the same time doing no harm to anybody and is good at making one happy.
posted on 25 Sep 2003This was on TV in England the other night, and it was rather cringe making thanks to being a very sweet story. But it was also entertaining.SLIGHT SPOILER COMING UP**** A young girl goes to stay with her Aunt Polly after her father passes away. However, Aunt Polly is rather strict and wants no mention of Polltanna's father. In the local village, she teaches some of the rather grumpy inhabitants the Glad Game, which helps people look on the bright side of life. However, look out for that motorcar Pollyanna! **** SPOILER ENDS HEREUnlike the classic Disney version (which is still good), it isn't as apple pie and the setting is England instead of USA (I don't know if the actual book had an English or American setting). The film certainly follows the original storyline of the book.Pollyanna- A wonderful story and a film for all.
True to the book!
posted on 24 Aug 2003This was a great movie. I loved how all the characters were developed. Pollyanna was very believable in her optimism and sunny attitude. Nancy's blunt comments were funny and in character. I loved Amanda Burton's portrayal of Miss Polly. Her expression could convey so much emotion, and her changing attitude toward life was mostly shown without words. Also, even in the beginning, she isn't completely inhuman, she shows a dry sense of humor when talking to Timothy about the motor car. Later, she becomes less bitter and more open to her niece by shutting out the world less and revealing what she must have been like before she quarreled with Dr. Chilton. That was a huge problem that I had with the Disney version. While the Disney version was a nice movie, it had nothing in common with the book. After reading the book, I couldn't watch the Disney version because the plot and characters were so different. Miss Polly was not a cruel and unfeeling queen bee, simply hurt and stubborn and not necessarily dealing with it well. Also, Mr. Pendleton (as opposed to Pentergast) was a developed character with the whole other plot line about his relationship with Pollyanna's mother Jenny. This movie was faithful to the book and did a great job bringing it on screen.
Sweet movie
posted on 25 Jun 2003What a sweet, "feel good" movie. If you like "The Little Princess" & "The Secret Garden", you'll love "Pollyanna". Nice scenery composing of lush English countrysides & quaint towns. Georgina Terry is an accomplished little actress in the lead role. Appealing to children & women of any age.
Loved it!
posted on 28 Sep 2008This is an excellent tear jerker. I can't remember the last time a movie has drawn tears out of me. Excellent acting by all, especially Georgina Terry! Scenery is beautiful, although there are a few editing errors. Highly recommended. I would definitely buy the DVD if I ever come across it.