Review: The Borrowers
DVD: The Borrowers (1997)
Based on Mary Norton’s 1950’s novels of The Borrowers (basically just the size of the characters and the character’s name remains), but fear not reader, for this Hollywood make over is a delight to watch and very much one of those ‘family’ films of the 90’s.
Moved from its original British setting to America, young Pete Lender sets up traps throughout his home, explaining to his parents, that all the ‘little’ things that go missing, from needles to peas, are being stolen by some unknown entity. And they are! Miniscule people called The Borrowers secretly live alongside human ‘beans’ and help themselves (not steal) to whatever they need.
This has your usual ‘family in peril from a bad guy’ storyline, the bad guy being Lawyer Ocious P. Potter (John Goodman) who can’t find a will saying that Aunty Lender has left the house to Pete’s mum and dad, and so they will have to move so Potter can build flats.
The story now shifts to concentrate on The Borrowers themselves, who become friends with Pete, and who keeps them a secret. Pod Clock (Jim Broadbent) and his children, Arrietty (Flora Newbigin) and Peagreen (a very young Tom Felton), and wife Homily (Celia Imrie), caper about using big forks and makeshift weapons to thwart Potter and various other people who stop them from…well nicking stuff.
It’s action packed and although the special effects are old they still look okay for a young audience, and this is who its aimed at…kids. My son was 7ish when he first saw it and loved it (until he saw Terminator 2).
A good solid family/kid friendly film. Perfect for Easter viewing!
SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Borrowers in the Making Documentary
- Cast and Crew Biographies
- Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer
Release date: 27th March 2023.
Review by Tina from a disc kindly supplied by Fabulous Films.
