Madeline (1998)

The schoolgirl adventures of Madeline, a flame-haired orphan, are lovingly adapted from Ludwig Bemelmans's classic children's books. His sly and witty writing is transferred to this first-rate film, one that should not be thought of merely as childhood entertainment. Spunky Madeline is most adept at finding trouble. She is also a quick-witted and likable child who can solve almost any problem. Her latest scheme is to keep her school, which is also her home, from being sold by its owner, the recently widowed Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne). Unlike most youthful movie fare, this adventure boasts high production values that wisely include colorful Parisian locations. Hatty Jones is all spunky self-sufficiency and sweet innocence in the title role, and Frances McDormand is quite humorous as the stern school-mistress, Miss Clavel. --Rochelle O'Gorman Amazon.com

Great Fun

My Grandaughter thought this was wonderful. We watched six times. She liked the fact that it was a real little girl and would like more Madelines just like this one August 10, 2008

A kids review.

I love Hatty Jones in this one. She is good and her best friend. I wish there was madeline two. I have a lot of madeline dvds and videos. June 27, 2008

Madeline

Great movie. My daughter loves it! Just as if Madeline had come to life! Frances McDormand is fabulous as Miss Clavel! December 18, 2007

MadAboutMadeline!!!!!!

My 4 year old daughter and I watched this movie. Overall, it is wonderful.A point in the movie I disagree with, in the book, Madeline is NOT orphaned. In one book she is at boarding school where her Papa has sent Christmas presents.So..we know she is not a orphan. Also, since the boarding school is near the Eiffel Tower, one would have to assume that Miss Clavel should have an accent, as do most of the actors/actresses in the movie. However, she does not have an accent in the movie. I'm so used to improvising an accent when I read the books to my daughter, Miss Clavel's key line is always sitting up in bed and uttering, "Something is not right" and I like to believe she would say it like this, "Somesing iz not' rright." However, the actress in the movie sounds completely American. She does a nice job, I just wish she would have improv'd an accent. One last thing, when one of the boarding school girls is running around looking for Genevieve, she tells someone that Genevieve is a golden retriever, however the dog actor in the movie is clearly played by a yellow lab. Weird little oddities, but nonetheless noteworthy. Besides picking at this so badly, this movie is completely fun, touching and warm. June 12, 2007

Exicting and charming.

My 4yo currently loves this movie, and we've watched it every day for the last few days. I have to agree with another reviewer who commented on one of the early reviews. Apparently, Madeline is the only one of the 12 girls who is an orphan. I got the impression it was a Paris boarding school consisting mostly of students from England. Lord Covington's wife was probably french (Marie Gilbert), but I'm pretty sure he was British. If you grew up with a fascination for boarding school (ie: Facts of Life fan), you'll probably love this movie. March 3, 2007

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