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Parents' Guide to

Back to the Secret Garden

By Brian Costello, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Charming magical realism sequel set in 1940s England.

Movie G 2002 100 minutes
Back to the Secret Garden Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Anounymous
Anounymous Parent of 1-year-old
June 19, 2019
age 15+

Bad!

Mixyplixl
Mixyplixl Adult
April 14, 2014
age 8+

Don't bother - watch the original "Secret Garden" instead

This is one of those "cooked-up" sequels that has no relationship to the classic book or movie. The original characters are all grown up (with one deceased) and only have a passing involvement with the story, which is very flat. The new main character is a girl from Brooklyn - why do that, when it takes place in the UK, other than to appeal to Americans? The only appeal is the few scenes showing animals leading the child to the garden.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Lizzie Buscana is an orphan from Brooklyn who lives in an orphanage in Alexandria, Virginia. When the wife of an English diplomat, Lady Mary Craven (Cherie Lunghi) invites Lizzie to live in Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire, England, Lizzie accepts. It is there, under the care of the new headmistress Martha Sowerby (Joan Plowright), that Lizzie learns about the secret garden. Born with a green thumb, Lizzie begins to find ways into the secret garden (even as the entrance mysteriously closes to Miss Sowerby) and is determined to find out why the flowers don't grow as they once did. As she tries to enlist the help of her fellow classmates and teachers, Lizzie learns that the secret garden is going to need more than sunshine, water, air, and soil to return it to its former grandeur.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (2 ):

BACK TO THE SECRET GARDEN is a charming mix of magical realism and mystery set in 1946 Yorkshire, England. The characters are very much of their time -- prim, proper, yet inclined to mischief -- and fully drawn and developed. The acting -- from the largest to the smallest roles -- is excellent. The story is engaging, and stands among the best of English children's stories.

Even if you haven't seen the 1993 film The Secret Garden (of which this is a sequel), Back to the Secret Garden stands on its own. Parents and kids alike will find much to enjoy in this film.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the time and place in which this movie is set. What objects inform the viewer that it's set in the 1940s? How is the culture of the movie different from today?

  • How do boys and girls act with each other in this movie? How is this movie similar and different from other coming of age movies?

  • What are the movie's messages? Why do you think the creators brought magic into the story?

Movie Details

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