A Little Princess Parent Guide

It’s the early 1900’s, and Liesel Matthews plays Sara Crewe, the daughter of a wealthy British businessman. Her father leaves for the war, and she is left under the cold stare of Headmistress Minchin, the owner of a girls’ school, who can only tolerate Sara’s popularity and optimism by remembering the money the girl contributes to her purse.

Sara’s most distinguishing trait is her dedication to the idea that all girls—old and young, rich or poor—are princesses. She does her best to share this doctrine with her schoolmates, along with Becky, a dark-skinned servant girl who is banished to the attic. Yet Sara’s cheery attitude gives Miss Minchin all the more reason to delight in sending her to live in the attic with Becky when the news of her father’s death arrives and her family’s assets are seized.

In the midst of her trials Sara often finds comfort by retreating into a world of imaginary fairy tales from India, the country where she and her father lived before she came to the New York boarding school. (These sequences may be a little frightening for very young viewers.) When she discovers sharing her stories also helps other lonely students, her true selfless nature shines. Much to the chagrin of Miss Mitchin, Sara proves that being a princess has more to do with moral fiber than circumstances.

The beautiful cinematography of this film skilfully contrasts warm and cold colors to emphasise the changing moods. But I was disappointed when the scriptwriters chose to force this wonderful story to fit the Hollywood mold, which demands (especially from children’s movies) simple good and bad guy characters, a happy ending, and revenge. Miss Minchin’s retribution is neither believable nor necessary, and the inclusion of this one tiny scene is like a flaw in an otherwise diamond of a film.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.