The schoolgirl adventures of Madeline, a flame-haired orphan, are lovingly adapted from Ludwig Bemelmans's classic children's books. His sly and witty writing is transferred to this first-rate film, one that should not be thought of merely as childhood entertainment. Spunky Madeline is most adept at finding trouble. She is also a quick-witted and likable child who can solve almost any problem. Her latest scheme is to keep her school, which is also her home, from being sold by its owner, the recently widowed Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne). Unlike most youthful movie fare, this adventure boasts high production values that wisely include colorful Parisian locations. Hatty Jones is all spunky self-sufficiency and sweet innocence in the title role, and Frances McDormand is quite humorous as the stern school-mistress, Miss Clavel.
--Rochelle O'Gorman
1 Relish the Mischief!
Every little girl has wanted to become the incorrigibly adventurous Madeline as introduced by children's writer Ludwig Bemelman and this movie brings her to new life.
Madeline (Hatty Jones) resides in a French orphanage, wears a little blue suit and cap and creates havoc wherever she goes. Help is only a step away with Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand) at hand and she rescues little Madeline often and with good cheer. But the orphanage is scheduled to be sold by the owner Lord "Cucuface" Covington (Nigel Hawthorne) and the girls who live with Madeline devise a plan to save their home. All sorts of antics take place against the backdrop of the beautiful Parisian scenery that surrounds the worried little orphans.
Hatty Jones is really superb as the classically mischievous orphan in blue, Madeline. Hatty has the perfect button nose and red hair to pull off the look but she also manages to capture the impish thoughts of the little character as well. Frances McDormand is highly likable as the Sister who adores her home full of orphans. Nigel Hawthorne pulls off the uppity roll of a wealthy property owner who could care less about the future of a few bratty orphans. But it is the beautiful city of Paris that steals the show, with glimpses of perfection at every corner how could an orphan in Paris ever be sad. No wonder little Madeline has remained such a happy sight for generations of children and adults.
2 For all young at heart aged 2 to 122 years of age
A really exquisite movie that will make you laugh, cry, and keep putting it on again for more
The movie is about a girls school in Paris and the adventures of 12 adorable little girls, with the cutest and most interesting of all being the plucky flame haired little tyke, with a heart of gold Madeline (Hatty Jones).
With adventures taken from the timeless books, including little Madeleine's appendicitis, and her rescue from the water by the golden retriever Genevieve, the centerpiece of the story is the battle of the girls and their loving guardian Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand) to keep their school and their dog, against the cruel plans of Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne) and also foiling a thuggish tutor cum kidnapper Leopold (Ben Daniels)
This is really beautiful, not only for kids, but for all young at heart aged 2 to 122 years of age.
There are just so many wonderful memorable heart-stealing scenes, funny cute and poignant.
3 Fabulous
I love this movie. It's perfect for kids who still love Madeline but are getting too old for the cartoons.
4 Could have been better. Yup.
I like the cartoons and books better than this. sorry.
5 What a jokes movie
Well, what can I say this movie was a complete joke. The acting of the eight year old madeline was average. She had no spunk. Can you blame her as it was her debut movie. The other actors let her down also. You gotta roll with the punches hazza jones. This actress has gotta have some bad reviews or she'll cry when she's older and gets one. That girl is gonna be famous as I heard she's got better at the old acting lark( she stared in an o so recent production of Joseph as second narator ). Anyway no one should buy it as she doesn't profit and it was on ty on saturday ( channel 5). lastly what a GREAT movie.
6 A cute movie for little girls
The movie uses many different elements from many different Madeline books. It is cute and represents Madeline accurately.
7 Charming!
Columbia Pictures portrays a wonderful ooh-la-la picture of the French schoolgirl! Even boys like it! From start to finish, the movie is packed with pranks, humor, sadness, on the edge of your seat thrills, and a happily ever after surprise! Great for all ages!!!
8 great movie for all ages!
I absolutely love the witt, charm and excitment about this classic childrens movie brought to life by an A grade cast.and im 13, i watch it on dvd with my two younger sisters every week.
Hatty jones was the perfect madeline and pepito fitted his role perfectly aswell.
I thought it was cool how they brought all the books into one movie flawlessly.I loved the kidnap part and when they cause havoc as possible buyers go through the house.
The background was even better filmed on location in paris.
watch it and it will surely make you feel happy!
9 Fun Fun Fun
I bought this DVD for my 3 year old neice and she loves it! If you have young relatives, or children of your own, this DVD is great. It is not too long, and it is a great break for any fan of Madeline. My neice Taylor gave this DVD 4 stars! That is better than my recommendation.
10 Good fun for girls
Our 4-year old enjoyed it, with a little explanation in order about Miss Clavel's habit, and about the motives of the kidnappers.
A very nice extra on the DVD is an old 1952 animated short based closely on the original Bemelmans book, with the text and cartoon style nearly identical. Amusingly, Miss Clavel is therein depicted as a sort of governess, rather than as a nun; perhaps a sign of the times, or maybe the cartoon's producers were not Catholic?
I thought Hatty Jones did great in the title role -- wonder what ever happened to her?
11 A Cute Movie to Enjoy forever!!!!!
I remember when I saw this in 1998 with my grandma and my cousins and we sneaked in the theatres with hamburgers and didn't get in trouble. Anyways this is a cute movie I use to watch the cartoon on Disney channel but now I feel I grew too old for the cartoon and stickec with the movie I think the young actress who played Madeline looks alot like the cartoon she's very cute and I think Frances McDormand is good at playing Miss Clavel but all I can say is I give it a THUMBS UP!!!! and want you to go buy this for all it's worth! 14 yr. old veiwer
12 Sweet and Charming Children's Movie
Madeline is a slight but utterly charming film taken from the children's books by Ludwig Bemelmas. It does not possess the dramatic content of The Secret Garden or A Little Princess, but it's free of the cynicism of the modern five-year old, as in The Rugrats Movie. It has an innocence which is downright old-fashioned. I liked it, and I am cynical and somewhat over the age of five.
Aren't the best stories about little girls often about orphans? That's what bright, adorable eight-year old Madeline is, as are her eleven schoolmates in a small private school in Paris. Usually the students dress alike, but they have several outfits. There are some wonderfully colorful scenes of the young ladies exploring the City of Lights. All have distinct personalities, which causes them to disagree on many subjects. This makes for some charming bits of dialog.
In charge of this group is the wise and tolerant nun, Miss Clavell, and the cold, lonely Lord Covington, whom the girls refer to by such names as Lord Coo Coo Face. These two characters are played by an American treasure, Francis McDormand, and a British one, Nigel Hawthorne. McDormand won an Oscar for Best Actress in Fargo, while Hawthorne was nominated for Best Actor in The Madness of King George. This picture is more of a holiday than an acting job for these major talents, but it's always nice to see them.
Madeline is spirited and exuberant. She gets into one mess after another. She winds up in the hospital, falls into the River Seine, nearly destroys the Spanish Embassy, smuggles a dog into the school and finds herself accidentally kidnapped by circus clowns. As directed by Daisy Von Scherler Mayer and portrayed by the delightful Hatty Jones, Madeline is never seen as a bad girl. She's simply a very bright and curious one.
The plot may be old hat and predictable, but the film is handled in such a light and lyrical style that I doubt many children will care. It's so professionally done that most adults caught having to sit through it should find it a pleasant hour and a half. Filmed on location in Paris, it is indeed lovely to look at.
Madeline got overlooked at the boxoffice in a very crowded 1998. Besides the already mentioned Rugrats, we were treated to three other animated film events - Antz, A Bug's Life and The Prince of Egypt. Hopefully, the less ambitious Madeline will find the audience it deserves on DVD.
Rated PG for a reason called "momentary language". If anyone knows what this phrase means, please let me know.
13 Boarding-school japes in France!
It is heartening to know that people are still making films of this type. This is in the style of Happiest Days Of Their Lives or the St.Trinians films, but with younger girls. It therefore ditches any sort of sexuality in favour of a rather charming innocence. Even the teacher is a nun, rather than an Alistair Sim type. Having said that, these girls are no Von-Trapp angels. Director Daisy Von Scherler Meyer avoids the pitfall of casting precocious showbiz children and choses (mainly) sweet little girls who can act. The main plot about the girls trying to keep their school from being sold by crusty old aristocrat Nigel Hawthorne is spiced up with a kidnap caper which stops things wearing thin. On the whole, a good one to watch with younger children.
14 My Child's First Major Obsession
We are currently going through a major addiction to all things Madeline and especially this movie. It represents my daughter's first venture into a fantasy world (she's 4.5 yrs) that she has created for herself and she now spends her days repeating bits of the film, pretending to be Madeline or Miss Clavel and generally being happy playing. I'm not sure how much I really like this movie as I've now watched it upwards of 20 to 30 times. I doubt even the filmmakers thought anyone would study any film so closely. I'm now looking for contunity errors or obscure turns of phrases to keep me interested! As other reviews have said, the movie really departs from the books and creates its own world. The art direction of the film is very good but the movie seems to lack some final layering that would make it a truly memorable film. Frances McDormand seems to sleep walk through the film or wasn't given enough to do. The kids roles are good, however. But the proof is in my child: she's obsessed. For that, I don't mind. It could be something like Eminem or Pokeman.
15 Template for good movie fun
I don't watch many movies, and have recently lost my taste for kids' movies in particular--which are also the few movies which don't have gratuitous sex, violence, and cursing. This movie manages to transcend genres, a witty film that those who have outgrown the "Madeleine" cartoons will enjoy.
Madeleine, played by the excellent Hatty Jones, is a little French girl at a boarding school in France, along with eleven other girls (also flawlessly acted) and their teacher Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). The movie follows her clashes with the Spanish ambassador's son, Pepito, and with Lord "Cuckooface" Covington, the man who owns the school upon the death of their sponsor--and who wants to close it down; also with such problems as a ransom plot, and the loyal dog Genevieve.
Madeleine purists should be warned: this movie is not just a live-action version of the book stories. The movie exists as a series of vignettes loosely based on the books, such as Madeleine's appendectomy and her rescue by Genevieve. Two of the central plots are not in the books, however: Lord Covington's wish to sell the school, and the kidnapping plot concerning Pepito. Occasionally dialogue will be lifted (a difficulty, given the almost complete lack of REAL dialogue) such as Miss Clavel's midnight "Something is not right" or Madeleine's defiant "pooh pooh!"
The actors and script contain the necessary amount of innocent cuteness and comedy (the visits of the various ambassadors to the school) while also having poignancy. One thing that will irritate Madeleine purists is Madeleine's family situation in this movie, but it does give her the ability to interact with Lord Covington.
McDormand is excellent as the rather put-upon nun Miss Clavel, who stiffly glides through real life while trying to keep her twelve little girls in something approaching order without squelching them. Thank God the old "authority figure as clown" thing never came into play. Hatty Jones is cute and sprightly without being annoyingly so, while the actresses for such characters as Vicki and Chantal are perfect in their roles. The girls REGISTER as being real people. So does Kristian de la Osa, as the attention-hungry Pepito--the movie hints quietly at why he is such a "bad hat," while simultaneously giving us sympathy for him and Madeleine alike. And kudos to the best original character, Helene the cook!
Music is overall very good (thankfully no one breaks into spontaneous song) with sedate music playing for Miss Clavel and the girls, sad music during poignant moments, and excellent Spanish numbers as we focus on Pepito. The final number stinks, though, it clashes with the setting and plotline.
The minimal violence is cartoonish and there is no innuendo; one (bad word) creeps into the script, via a bad guy.
This movie is a delight from start to finish, a witty and charming movie that will take you back to your childhood. Or if you didn't like your childhood, it'll take you somewhere nice...
16 Madeline is one of my very favorite movies
I think Madeline is a fabulous movie. It is especially funny when the girls stop people from buying the house by unscrewing the doors. I also think it is sad when the old lady dies. Hatty Jones is a wonderful actress. I was rather scared when she got kidnapped by the circus, though. The story is wonderful.
17 Great Kids' Movie!
In a day and age when adults are stealing kids' innocence by producing movies that are dark and often disturbing (see the mixed reviews of the animated "Madeline in Paris"), this is a refreshing delight. No, it's not for adults, it's for kids, so the Hollywood reviewers need to let the kids decide if it has merit! My 3 daughters LOVE IT! My four year old watches it regularly, and I can actually listen to it in the background without getting tired of it!
18 A charming, entertaining masterpiece
Parents, you will love this movie. My four year old (and I) have seen it about 20 times already, and we limit TV to 30-60 minutes a day.
There are only 2 scary parts: Pepito wears a red devil mask and says "boo" to the girls who have sneaked into the kitchen; Pepito and Madeline are kidnapped by Pepito's tutor. I know the latter sounds terrible, but for some reason, it was not terrifying to my daughter. (We almost always watch with her.) This beats Disney the frightening animated movies in many ways. (Mary Poppins is a terrific exception.) There was one "damn" that I counted.
This was beautifully written, directed and acted.
19 The best movie ever
This movie was really good because it was like all the great books about Madiline put together!
20 Not as good as the animated movies
My daughter is a hugh Madeline fan and loves the animated movies. Neither one of us liked this movie. It tried to put in segments from the book as well as have a new story line and the combination did not work. Your time would be better spent on the short animated movies or reading the books.
21 This was very funny
I liked the movie Madeline.I do not really like the Madeline TV shows ,but this was very funny and cute.If you have not seen this you will want to.
22 Hatty Jones is the life Madeline!
I love Madeline! It's my favorite movie.I first rented this movie and then quickly added it to my video libary.I am an 11 year old and I like it! So what are you waiting for go buy it now! P.S: At the ned of the movie you'll love Hatty Jones! :)
23 I loooooooove this vido it was so good
my favorite movies were in 94, 65,61,9
24 The best family film since Matilda!
I am 6 years old. I don't really like any of the Madeline "animated" shorts. This movie was an exception. I don't know why it's rated PG? This was a very appropriate movie. It should be in every family's house!
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26 It's about a little girl.
I love Hatty Jones. Her accent is so cool
27 I thought this movie was the best!
Hatty Jones is so adorible and her accent is so cute. I loved it and so will you! I thought the part where she... Wait, I can't tell you. Just buy the movie! It was great!!!!!!!!!1
28 This video keeps my two year old's attention the entire show
This video is lovely. It is entertaining for all ages. My two year old daughter has loved Madeline from the first scenes. It has fun, seriousness and teaches useful lessons. Frances McDormand is excellent as Ms. Clavel and Hattie could not be a more endearing Madeline. I would recommend this video for anyone with small children, especially little girls.
29 It`s soooooooooo funny and great!!
I` a kid and love this movie!!!I can see the Eifeell Tower in the background next to the school.I wonder if it`s actually in Paris!!I`d like to be in a madeline movie and put on a redhead wig and star as madeline!!!Watch this movie and you`ll love Madeline as if it were your family!!!
30 An enjoyable movie for everyone.
My husband and I took our 3 children ages 4-8 to see this movie at the theater. We usally wait until the video comes out because even in kids movie's these days you can't be to sure of the language that might come out. This was a great movie and we knew it would be because the cartoon is the BEST one on T.V. All movies should be this enjoyable!
31 A fun adventure movie for children
My four-year-old daughter loves this movie. When I returned the rented version to the video store, she was so disappointed that I've decided to buy the video. I rarely buy videos, but I think this will be one of those movies that she'll want to watch again and again. (She watched it four times while we had it from the video store.) I highly recommend this movie.
32 darling family movie. I liked the Paris stuff.
After reading the whole series to my daughter, I enjoyed seeing the movie. It was an awesome adaptation of the books.
33 This movie should be in every child's house!
Here is one Children's book more delightful than all the Madeline Books put together. Hatty Jones stars as Madeline, the smallest and naughtiest of all the twelve orphans. Based on the Madeline Books by Ludwig Bemalmans, this Film begins when Madeline had to have her appendix removed and ends when the principal finally agrees to let the girls keep the school. Though most of the time the girls are very well behaved, sometimes they would get into Major trouble. One part was when the cook fixed a chicken dinner and none of the girls liked it, Miss Clavel sent them to bed without any Supper, and they snuck down to the school kitchen and tried to make a cake, and ended up having to clean up a big mess. I thought it was very touching when Madeline was all well again, but still in the hospital, and went to visit the principal's wife who was sick and dying, but she loved Madeline about as much as Miss Clavel. Later on in the movie, Madeline fell into the river Seine, and almost drowned, and the orphans adopted the dog. But the principal did not approve. It was sad and funny at the same time, when Madeline ran away to the circus and when the orphans got back on the bus to return to school, Madeline's friend held up Madelines hat, and so when twelve hats were counted, Miss Clavel thought she had twelve girls on the bus. Finally Miss Clavel found Madeline and Geveveive the dog who saved Madeline when she fell in the river.
34 Children instinctly know a story that teaches good principle
I bought and watched Madeline with my grandsons ages 8 and 5. I was surprised they wanted to buy the video. I was also surprised they found it so interesting being of the opposite sex. They loved the clever antics of these girls. The story is fun, and wholesome with good value lessons learned. They have since watched it several times.
35 We loved it!
My kids loved it, they received it for Christmas, and have watched it over and over!
36 A classic
True to its inspiration, "Madeline" is possessed of a wit and grace rare to modern family films, indeed, to films in general. Instead of mindless noise and heartless mayhem, it relies on gentle humor, character, and quiet emotion to entertain, and even to move.
And the film can boast three wonderful performances by Nigel Hawthorne (as Lord Cucuface), Frances McDormand (brilliant as always as Miss Clavel), and Hatty Jones as Madeline herself.
Do not miss this film.
37 An intelligent family film, at last
I'm always on the lookout for good family films, and I thought this was one of the best films of 1998, period. Nothing offensive to the ear (except for one minor swear word) or to the brain, this treats its audience as intelligently as it treats its wonderful source material. A surprise and a delight!
38 A great family flick - I sat throught it five times!
I knew nothing about Madeline until I saw this movie five times with my 3-year old. I never had the books, never saw the cartoons, and could only ask my wife "Who's Madeline?" when the movie came out.
Well, any kids movie this good deserves at least one star/sitting. It got some flack from critics for combining too many stories into one movie, but I think it works.
Kids love it and, like all good kid movies, there is humour for the adults as well.
A great cast too!
39 Wonderful movie!
My 7 year old daughter and I saw Madeline at the movies and can't wait for the video! I rarely buy videos, but this is a must have. Every little girl should see Madeline. It's very clean, action packed, funny and touching all rolled into one. My daughter spoke with a French accent for weeks after seeing the movie.
