Heidi (1993)

  • Review Date: September 18, 2005
  • G
  • Genre: Drama
  • 1993
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Family entertainment at its best.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the very young may find a few scenes emotionally intense. Kids will see Heidi left with a gruff grandfather who says he doesn't want her. And she'll see her grandmother waste away and die. Originally shown in two parts, the nearly three-hour movie might best be seen in a couple of sittings so everyone can rest up for the heart-wrenching finale.


What's the story?

In this 1993 retelling of Johanna Spyri's beloved children's story (Heidi), eight-year-old orphan Heidi (Noley Thornton) is left in the care of her grandfather (Jason Robards), an angry, bitter man living in the Swiss Alps with only his goats for company. Said to be half-crazy since the death of the girl's parents, which he blames himself for, he nevertheless takes good care of the granddaughter thrust on him. Just as the two are growing close, Heidi is whisked off again, this time to an elegant Frankfurt home to be with Klara (Lexi Randall), a sickly, desperately lonely girl. In spite of their friendship and the opportunities Klara's family provides, Heidi pines for her mountain home, and is in danger of wasting away if she isn't returned to her beloved grandfather and his modest way of life.


Is it any good?

 

Made by Disney for cable, this Golden Globe nominee is a touching adaptation boasting lots of beautiful scenery and some fine performances. This is family entertainment at its best, but the very young may find a few scenes emotionally intense.

Jane Seymour overdoes it a bit as Fräulein Rottenmeier, the uptight governess, but young Noley Thornton more than makes up for it. She was a great choice for the role of Heidi -- sweet without being sticky. Young children may find the beginning daunting, when Heidi is left in the care of her gruff, nasty grandfather (Jason Robards, in another good performance). There are other emotional moments as well. One, in which Heidi's beloved grandmother slips away, does a good job of addressing death as a natural and inevitable occurrence, something not to be feared.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about "stock characters." Can you name other characters like the grandfather, who hides his tender emotions under gruff exterior? What sort of emotional reaction did you have to the grandfather? Was it similar to other characters of this ilk? What do you think this sort of "stock character" is used to achieve in films and stories?


This review was written by Scott G. Mignola
Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I lost six brain cells watching this
I LIKE HEIDI!

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
January 27, 2009
 
the great movie
the movie is great. it has a lot of meaning to it and it is sad and then happy. i love it.

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 5 and 7 year old
April 9, 2008
 

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
My daughter really likes Heidi and my daughter's sister is name Heidi to.

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
June 22, 2011
 
Lengthy and painful
This movie is much too long. Scary and confusing scenes such as the sleepwalking mystery are totally unnecessary and don't add anything to the story. Disabled character is whiney and codependent; Grandfather is bordering sadistic toward helpful, adorable Heidi. Terrifying scene near the end. I cannot recommend the movie for anyone whether young or old.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
This Movie brought tears to my eyes!
The first time I watched Heidi I was about six years old. In the beginning I cried out of joy when Heidi and her Grandfather finally come to an understanding. Later, when she was forced away, I cried more. I cried the whole time she was at Clara's house and when she came home I cried out of happiness. This movie touched my six year old heart and since then I have loved it. It is a wonderful performance by all of the acors and is a great movie for the whole family.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Scott G. Mignola
Topics:book characters
Studio:Walt Disney Pictures
Director:Jean-Francios Richet
Cast:Jane Seymour, Jason Robards, Noley Thornton
Genre:Drama
Run time:165 minutes
Theatrical release date:July 18, 1993
DVD release date:April 4, 2003
MPAA rating:G

This review was written by Scott G. Mignola
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

vote now

Will you see Heidi (1993)?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it