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Too much of everything

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

An enjoyable film and for the most part well done, but very annoying due to the use of both English and American actors - resulting in both accents amongst supposed family members!! So jarring and sadly all too frequently done. I understand the marketability of TransAtlantic appeal but please, please, why can't they all sound alike?? Unfortunately it does suffer from Disneyfication with very large helpings of saccharine and some predictable "gushy" emotional scenes. There's a particularly wearing scene where Heidi tumbles down the hillside and ends up hanging over the river gorge clinging to a tree branch - all the time while Peter is trying to rescue her, Klara is shouting "Heidi!" at 1 second intervals. I felt like shouting "Shut the **** up!" Otherwise the scenery, sets, etc. are lovely - nice period details and gorgeous mountains! (Filmed in Austria though and not Switzerland - although I daresay we have to be grateful it wasn't filmed in Montana!)

The book was one of my childhood favourite books and still is a personal favourite. Adaptations always deserve to stand on their own two feet and this version of Heidi is not an exception. The beginning did seem over-dramatic; some of the characters could have been more sympathetically written(especially the grandfather who's often too hostile, Clara too on some occasions); Clara's healing could have been more gradual; and keeping the grandmother alive longer, to hear that Heidi can now read(one of the book's most heart-warming parts), would have given the adaptation more heart than it already had. These all aside, this Heidi is still good and engaging. It is skilfully filmed, the Alps scenery is just gorgeous and the costume design and the settings in general are handsomely done. It's not big-budget or lavish, nor did it need to be. The music score is always involving and whimsical, always fitting with what's going on. While the dialogue is thoughtfully adapted and warm-hearted and while over-dramatic at times the story is never dull or abrupt, instead it's heart-warming, charming and engaging. The ending did bring a lump to my throat, then again the ending in Heidi is always emotional. The direction keeps things moving at a steady pace while also giving the story life. The acting is not a problem either, Noley Thornton is outstanding as Heidi being both adorable and strong-willed and Jason Robards supports her firmly in a charismatic and very emotionally committed way, though in the more redemptive scenes he could have been more gentle but he did a wonderful job considering how the Grandfather was written here. Lexi Randall's Clara is passionate and touching while Jane Seymour is temperamental and formidable without hamming things up and Patricia Neal's Grandmother is noble and affecting. So overall, not the best adaptation for die-hard fans of the book but as a standalone film, even with the not-so-great things, this version of Heidi is well worth the watch. 7/10 Bethany Cox

This is well-acted and written, but, if you want a faithful adaption of the book keep looking.This movie does not follow the book. To sum up: the kids know everything and the adults are selfish or cruel or incompetent or some combination of the three.Grandfather never yelled at Heidi in the book. But he did throughout the movie, including the last scene where he tells Heidi, "Go back to Frankfurt!!!". Of course, Heidi doesn't because she knows more than her grandfather. Ridiculous.Maybe if I had never read the book I could have enjoyed this movie, but when they make caring characters cruel, and change the meaning of the book, it just ruins everything for me.

If your looking for a Family film that will appeal to all ages, then look no further. This movie is well acted, the scenery is beautiful and the score is outstanding. Noley Thornton is not to be missed! Once you see this movie, it will stay with you for the rest of your life. Even if you've seen other Heidi movies, don't let that stop you, this one ranks at the very top!