You won't be disappointed!

People are voting emotionally.

I'll tell you why so serious

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

I'll always remember this movie for its predictable but startling climax when the moodily noirish black-and-white photography suddenly gives way to an amazing burst of Technicolor when the secret garden is finally presented in all its splendor. Admittedly, although this doesn't seem quite so novel today, it still has impact. Also memorable is the opening 30 minutes or so, brilliantly directed by Clarence Brown. It's a model of taut storytelling and Hollywood craftsmanship at its finest. Rarely has a noirish atmosphere been so stylishly, expensively and expansively created in a mainstream M-G-M movie. (Don't jump on me! "The Picture of Dorian Gray" is not a mainstream Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie. You only have to look at that film's art director credit. No Cedric Gibbons! It was written in Gibbons' contract that he was to be given an art director credit on every M-G-M movie irrespective of whether he did any art directing work on that movie or not). After this opening half-hour, however, featuring Ray June's superlatively noirish photography, the story changes direction and some of the more interesting characters drop out. Elsa Lanchester, for instance, completely disappears. Other characters are lessened in importance while the now re-pointed plot, under the guidance of M-G-M executive and occasional director, Fred Wilcox (he was M-G-M's test director for at least five years and before that he did some second unit work), heads towards a predictable climax.

I was mesmerized the first time I saw this film as a child. I was quite happy to stumble upon it recently and experience it again as an adult.It is quite an atmospheric film - capable at producing quite differing moods. There is the scary, creepy mansion; the beautiful grounds and terraces; the spoiled and crippled boy that throws tantrums; and finally the beautiful restored garden presented in Technicolor (the rest of the movie was in black and white).I like how the movie leaves you guessing as to what is going on. Who is the boy heard screaming and why? It creates a certain tension and suspense. Also, what happened to make the master lock-up the secret garden - what is the horrible secret? I appreciate that they don't spoon-feed us the history of this strange place, but allow us to discover the facts slowly.Margaret O'Brien is in the last years of her child stardom and unfortunately doesn't transition well in later roles. She does fine in this film, although many may find her whiny, spoiled character a tad annoying. I actually think she acted more naturally as a young child - it seems the very young take to fantasy and imagination almost like second nature. Here, her acting begins to look more "stagey".This film plays very much likes a children's mystery. But I think adults will find much to enjoy. There are great performances by big stars such as Herbert Marshall and Gladys Cooper. On occasion, there is some overacting - like the "extremely" happy maid, Martha. But the exaggerations will play well to children.I consider this film to be a great escape - so let yourself be transported to "The Secret Garden"!

A mesmerizing enchanting magical movie.An orphaned child is sent to live with an embittered uncle in the bleak north of England. He lives in a spooky old mansion that includes many secrets, like about his deceased wife and bedridden son......but then there is the garden.....What a movie: dark and cerebral on the one hand, yet hilariously funny in parts with super acting by all including a raven, a fox and a lamb.This is a great universal story of love, grief, despair, hope and redemption.I remember having the book read to me when a child at school.A classic film which deserves at least an 8/10, and well done to TCM!

I have watched both versions of this film, the original which is this 11949 movie, and the re- make of 1994. The kids - who are all the lead characters - are annoying in BOTH films! They are so irritating I wouldn't watch either version again.Here, young Margaret O'Brien fakes an English accent which immediately makes her annoying to hear because her accent is obvious. Her character, "Mary Lennox" pouts, most of the time and I don't find that entertaining. Her constant simpering also is revolting. This is better than the re-make, however, which also throws in New Age baloney, typical of something done in the '90s.At least in this classic film, we get to see people like Herbert Marshall, Dean Stockwell, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester and Reginald Owen, all well-known and established actors. In the re-make, the only actor of note is Maggie Smith.This is a young girl's movie, and little else. If you are adult male, don't watch either version.