Instant Favorite.

Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

Beautiful, moving film.

an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

As intriguing as Gothic ghost can be, this one ranks a "boo!" from me, slow moving and often static, with a ton of obnoxious characters who do nothing but bray. I give Diana Dors credit for becoming shrill and obnoxious from all those sexy vixens she played a decade before. But she's so nasty here that the most vile of Dickens characters are sympathetic in comparison. I didn't buy for a second the story premise of Lawrence Naismith bringing a poor widow and her two children to be caretakers for a remote country mansion. I had seen "The Railway Children" as a kid so hearing that this was a sort of followup (with hints of "Heidi") made this a real curiosity. But having gotten this in a .99 cent bin, I have no qualms about releasing this from my collection. Mystery is fine and surprises make them interesting as long as the twists are acceptable. Had there been less shrill screeching of oh so cute ghostly kiddies and nasty housekeepers and other servants, I might have given this more attention. I truly couldn't wait for this to bid me "the end".

A fondly remembered film from my youth and one I've re-visited more than once since, it still charms me today. A delightful and thrilling fantasy, it plays almost as well to adults as to its no doubt target audience of children.The Dickensian-styled story is well-wrought with a nice blend of mystery, enchantment and adventure throughout. Sympathetically and winningly directed by British character actor Lionel Jeffries who gives himself a brief expository scene too, it's a perfect example of family entertainment.All the principal characters are well-played, especially Laurence Naismith as the twinkle eyed title character, out to right wrongs from a hundred years before and Diana Dors as an over-the-top scheming harridan figure whose plans the amazing Mr B thwarts with the help of two young children from the future. All the child-actors act very well and for the most part avoid the usual wooden-ness in similar portrayals.I won't give away any of the ingenious plot but it all resolves and revolves around a race to save a young heir and his sister from being murdered in a deliberately-set house fire in a plot devised by Dors and acted upon by her simpleton husband. In fact the film just tails off a little after its fiery climax, although it redeems itself with a happy ending and an unusual but warm-hearted end-credit sequence wholly in keeping with what has gone before. There's a fine understated score by Elmer Berstein too.It probably helps that this film evokes my happy child-hood but watching it again forty years on, I'm pleased to say I enjoyed it just as much as I did in a Glasgow flea-pit in 1973.

This movie is just the sort of feature at which Britain used to excel.It features kids, a very troubled hero, a baddie, ghosts, and time. Although beginning in a contemporary setting, the story harks back to a tragedy some hundred years before, whereby ghosts reach out and communicate with living people in the present.There's just the right mix of drama, tension, comedy and pathos to keep the plot stirring and the viewer interested. An excellent and slightly eclectic mix of British character actors give typically believable and understated turns. Of particular interest is former voluptuous sex-queen Diana Dors as a mean-spirited old house-keeper. Quite a volte-face, yet it's one she manages with great aplomb.The sets are entirely believable. And so they should be; Britain is still planted wall to wall with stately homes and antiquated locations. All the technical issues are up to snuff and there's a simple but decent script that adults can enjoy and which kids can still follow.I have to confess that I have a weak spot for this kind of mystery drama tinged with wry comedy. It's very much in the Dickens mould.Mr Blunden is good, family entertainment. Although there are some scary moments, the presence of kids and a happy reconciliation at the end should not beget any bad dreams.Highly recommended.

This is a film for children and adults alike, a warming family film which sends a message of compassion and hope. Mr Blunden(Laurence Naismith) is the benevolent, kindly guardian of the children Jamie and Lucy who sets out to right a wrong from 100 years ago. Because of Mr. Blunden's insensitivity and unwilingness to listen, two children and a gardener who tried to save them die in a fire started by the wicked Mrs Wickens (Diana Dors). The children (the ghosts) get Jamie and Lucy to drink a magic potion which sends them back in time to try to change what has already happened. Mr Blunden has been a tortured soul for 100 years as he ignored the pleas of the children who told him that Mrs Wickens was out to poison them, so she could get their inheritance for her beloved Bella who married the financially impoverished Bertie, who doesn't have a pot to pee in. Bella (Madeline Smith) is the childlike daughter of Mrs Wickens who can see ghosts as she only has the mind of a child but the body of a buxom wench. Mr Blunden saves the day by guiding Jamie and Lucy through the flames to save the children from the fire and changing history in the process. We get the happy ending we hope for, with everyone living happily ever after and Mr Blunden's gravestone reads "The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep". This will bring a lump to your throat. This film has been criticised for being muddled but all you need is a rich imagination to appreciate this film. Some wonderful performances from the cream of English acting talent: Diana Dors, Laurence Naismith and the beau of the ball, ex playmate of the year Madeline Smith. Enjoy!