The Secret Garden is a film based on the book written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Burnett uses the motif of healing through living things, which is also used throughout the film. Every character has some type of illness, except for perhaps Dickon. The two main protagonists, Mary and her cousin Colin, both have an illness, but very different illnesses from each other. Mary suffers from neglect, being unwanted, and unable to cry. Colin suffers from being in bed all the time and his obsession with dying. Medlock, the housekeeper, must keep everyone in their respective positions of suffering, including herself.
About the time when Dickon and Mary become friends Mary has found the secret garden. They work together to bring the garden back to life after the winter months. Through their friendship and hard work Mary isn’t suffering as much, and reaches out to Colin to relieve his suffering. The now trio of friends become healed through the garden. Colin walks and doesn’t focus on death; Mary is able to smile and laugh. While in the garden Lord Craven is able to smile again and be rid of his tormenting depressive illness.
Mary’s suffering relapses and she is convinced no one wants her and she begins to cry. Because Lord Craven has become whole he is able to reach out to Mary and assure her that she is wanted. All the healing took place in the garden. The family returns to the manor, leaving the garden whole agian, and heal those inside of the manor with their laughter and smiles. Medlock’s heart melts and she isn’t as big of a nuisance any more.
Children need a place of healing; in fact I think everyone needs a place of healing. This place of healing for Mary, Colin and Lord Craven was the garden, but for some children today their healing place is that play room or space of imagination, where they are safe. Medlock tried to create a safe place for Colin by keeping everything out of his room he was destined to stay in. But that was not the ideal safe place. Burnett understood the art of having a safe place to learn, grow and be healed. On screen the beauty of that safe place in the garden comes to life thanks to Agnieszka Holland and Caroline Thompson.
WC: 388
Title: the Secret Garden (UK 1993)
Director: Agnieszka Holland
Writer: Frances Hodgson Burnett (book), Caroline Thompson (screenplay)
Production: Warner Bros. Pictures, American Zoetrope
Run Time: 101 minutes
Language: English
Color
Sound mix: Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Family
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