Unlike the horrible U.S.-set remake, this delightful romp stays true to Burnett's vision in tenor if not directly interpreted from the novel. Sara is not a total angel -- playing pranks on her 'evil' seminary mates, etc. Moral tone is present but not overpowering -- good will prevail over evil, belief in one's inner strength, sharing with those even less fortunate than you and many other dictums of Victorian children's literature. The story's climatic scene, when Sara has failed until Queen Victoria herself intervenes, will send you straight to the Kleenex box. Shirley Temple's performance belies J. K. Rowling's belief that an American can not successfully play a hero/heroine in a British children's classic.
Review of The Little Princess
