loading...
The Borrowers
1997
Children's author Mary Norton's storybook creations, the four-inch-tall family of "borrowers" who live among humans and co-opt their possessions, get a first-rate big-screen translation. When a crooked lawyer (a gleefully over-the-top Goodman) takes over the Lender family's house, he's got to reckon with the "borrowers" therein,.. Read more
| Starring | John Goodman, Jim Broadbent, Celia Imrie, Mark Williams |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Hewitt |
| Genres | Comedy, Family |
loading...
The Borrowers
Children's author Mary Norton's storybook creations, the four-inch-tall family of "borrowers" who live among humans and co-opt their possessions, get a first-rate big-screen translation. When a crooked lawyer (a gleefully over-the-top Goodman) takes over the Lender family's house, he's got to reckon with the "borrowers" therein, who launch a campaign to oust the invader and restore the home to its rightful tenants.
| Starring | John Goodman, Jim Broadbent, Celia Imrie, Mark Williams, Bradley Pierce, Hugh Laurie, Ruby Wax, Tom Felton, Bob Goody, Andrew Dunford, Aden Gillett, Doon MacKichan, Patrick Monkton, Flora Newbigin, Raymond Pickard, Dick Ward, George Yiasou |
|---|---|
| Director | Peter Hewitt |
| Studio | UCA |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 27 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy, Family |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | Dutch, German |
| Hearing-impaired | English, German |
| Subtitles | DVD: Dutch |
| Released | DVD: 16 Oct 1998 Production year: 1997 |
| Format | DVD |
-
Critics' reviews (5)
View all -
Mary Norton's charming 1950s children's stories about a diminutive family (the “Borrowers” of the title) are here turned into a delightful family film. Jim Broadbent is on good form as the father of the tiny Clock family who live beneath the floorboards of an old house, while John Goodman delivers a large slice of ham as the unscrupulous full-sized lawyer who intends to demolish their home. Peter Hewitt (Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey) directs this fun children's adventure, which features a host of British comedy talent (including Hugh Laurie and Celia Imrie) alongside Broadbent. But it's the clever special effects that steal the show from the cast (miniature or otherwise).
-
Clever, if hectic and noisy, children's film; it doesn't have the quiet humour of the original books, but nevertheless creates an odd, fanciful world that mixes English and American influences.
-
Most helpful member's review
View all -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Wonderful fantasy plot and great acting
This is an extremely well-made movie. All the leading actors (Jim Broadbent, John Goodman et al.) give of their best and one feels they had a blast making this. Watch out for superb cameo appearances from Hugh Laurie (as a cop) and Ruby Wax (Town Hall receptionist). The surrealism is furthered by the Morris Minors (even Ocious' stretch limo is a Morris Minor!) and the strange filtration of blue from the cinematography so green and red predominate. This has all the makings of a cult classic!
-
Most recent members' review
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
gentle comedy for children
Excellent reworking of the classic children's tale enjoyable by children and adults alike.
First class ensemble and great production values make this a must for your kids. -
More like this
View all
Related user collection
my 100 random dvds must see (100)
58% from 108 members
