Hallmark Hall of Fame: Little Lord Fontleroy

source: Hallmark Hall of Fame: Little Lord Fontleroy

Moviecut—Hallmark Hall of Fame: Little Lord Fontleroy

Little Lord Fauntleroy

This is one of may favorite movies. Not only is is extremely well written and acted, it is also quite lovely visually. There are some beautiful scenes depicting the English country side as well as some vision of the less fortunate majority who are not part of the aristocracy. The gradual way in which the adorable little lord wins the heart of the grumpy old Earl (played to perfection by one of the greatest actors of all time in Sir Alex Guiness), is superb and their blossoming relationship is definitely the highlight of the film. Connie Booth (from Fawlty Towers fame) is also excellent as Ceddie's kind and loving mother who always puts the well being of her son and the less fortunate tenants before her own. Star Trek fans will be surprised to see Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) in one of his earliest roles ... by the way he is still bald which makes me wonder if he ever had hair! A wonderful movie, anyone who doesn't enjoy it simply doesn't have a heart beating in their chest!

I should hate "little lord" ,its reactionary side and its obsolete grating moral.But I have got to make amends :this is irresistible ,the perfect Xmas gift for the whole family.Tons of finer feelings ,an adorable little boy we side with all the time,a grumpy granddaddy,in the mold of Dickens' Scroodge ,wonderfully played by sir Alec Guiness. What could you ask for more?perhaps a child's soul but is there a grown up who has not kept it?If he hasn't I pity him.I also love the mother who refuses charity and who wants to earn her living .These stories of the young child who was actually a rich heir were frequent in the nineteenth century: "the little princess" or the French "Sans Famille"

I saw advertised on eBay an "exclusive edited version" on VHS tape, in a yellow sleeve with a big picture of Rick Schroder on the front. It was from Feature Films for Families. Would anyone have insight as to what scenes were edited? This is one movie I really would like to see issued on DVD, and with no editing. Right now all I have is a tape of the TV airing back in 1980. No doubt something must have been edited out of this too since almost all movies on TV are cut to run in the time allotted. The script wording, and the way Rick Schroder articulates it, really makes the story easy to follow.

This film was released in 1980 (as stated), three years after my younger daughter was born. I taped it on TV, and she watched it avidly for many years. It became a milestone in our family life. Within a year of first seeing it, my daughter knew every line of the script, and we would watch her watching the movie, her lips moving, speaking all the parts...(she was of course, going to marry Ricky Schroder). She still has the tape, and even at 28 years of age, still watches it from time to time. But it is sadly worn, and like another reviewer, I too long for it to be re-released on DVD. It is a beautifully made story performed equally beautifully by a superb cast. It is an exiting story for all ages, with a feel good ending reminiscent of a kinder and more gentle age. May it last forever, and if anyone knows where it may be purchased, either new on tape, or even if it has indeed been released on DVD...please, PLEASE let me know...Enjoy! Brian Arpel

This was indeed one of the best ever. I loved Ceddy's rendition of "Oh dem golden slippers". Throughout it was well timed and a real tear jerker. I lost my copy several years ago - anyone know where one is available???

Our family have loved this film for years. (see my comments posted in December 2003) But our recorded VHS version had deteriorated so much that it was no longer enjoyable to watch. I tried the "normal" means to searched for a DVD version but without success. I could only find VHS "collectable" copies at ludicrous prices (£40 to £50 plus postage, etc.) . Then I found someone in Holland offering a version on Ebay and thus discovered accident that a DVD version had been produced in Italy! - in English AND Italian. A quick web search enabled me to order from an Italian book & media Internet seller and I got an excellent copy in proper box within 3 days for a total price including delivery of under £20 ($35). Worth every penny even though it had only mono sound and presumably must have been a copy from a film distributor's version !

I love this film and think it is criminal that it isn't out on DVD for everyone to enjoy. It is Alec Guiness at his best --as good as Star Wars--and Little Ricky Schroder as perfectly as the author wrote the book. The mother is great and all the supporting cast too. The beauty of English countryside and of New York are wonderful. The lines are terrific. The mother's speech about American values and the lawyers prejudice of English countryside are just fantastic. I have a worn VHS tape from the TV of it that may break any year now. so I really would like it out on DVD. A great children's or Cmas film. I put it up to the level with "It's a Wonderful Life."!!!