Good story, Not enough for a whole film

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I first saw this movie many years ago and thought it was very heart warming. Although a lot of folks prefer the old Freddie Bartholomew version, I have grown very fond of this version. It has a wonderful cast and the story is told beautifully. Some folks may call it kinda' sappy...but I just LOVE this movie! It has become a Christmas tradition, in my home! Just a sweet, old fashioned, feel good movie and Ricky Schroder was SO cute! I had the VHS tape, that we would watch a few times, during the holidays. The tape finally wore out and I haven't found it on DVD. I am so glad to have found it online, so we can continue to enjoy it and make our holiday programming complete!

Anyone who is minimally familiar with my comments on IMDb knows that I tend to dislike remakes. There are rare exceptions to the rule. This is one of them. This 1980 edition deserves cult apart and stands as a good movie on its own, and is as good as the 1936 edition. The plot is almost the same but this version is, in some ways, more detailed. In some other aspects this version isn't as detailed.The 1936 version is a fine quality movie in black and white. The 1980 version is a fine quality colored movie. In fact, this version has bright colors. Plus, the beauty of the scenario and architecture of the castle and other constructions in countryside England is stunning. Other than the scenario, many details are neat and add to the appeal and feeling of the era when this takes place, like the clothes, the lovely toys in the games's room and many small little things. Looks like this was an expensive film to make.This film looks positively much older than 1980, but this old-fashioned feeling is only part of its charm and also means that it gives a good feeling of the time it takes place. The soundtrack consists of beautiful classical music, in perfect harmony with the movie's mood.Ricky Schroder enchants as Ceddie, for his cuteness and also for his notorious talent. Alec Guinness portrays the arrogant old Earl and this is one of his best performances, along with his iconic acting as Obi-Wan Kenobi in 'Star Wars'.Connie Booth as the mother is as great as little Ricky Schroder as Ceddie. Colin Blakely is a good choice as Mr. Hobbs and his famous saying «Well, I'll be jiggered!». Rolf Saxon is an interesting choice for a more serious Dick Tripton rather than the comical Mickey Rooney (whom I prefer).Title in Portugal: 'O Pequeno Lord'.

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 30 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 tale 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 ArpelAugust 2011. I wrote in the above review, (written June 2007) that I hoped this movie would be, or had been released on DVD. I have since discovered that it was indeed released on DVD sometime in the 80's. It was only released as a 'give away' with a Sunday edition of one of the major London newspapers. It was never released, (to my knowledge), into the general retail area. I managed to track down two copies of the DVD in the USA, (from memory, I think it was on Amazon.com but I can't be sure). My daughter, now aged 34, who was around 7 at the time we were watching the video tape, recorded from TV, has one of the copies on DVD and I have the other.

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???