TOM’S MIDNIGHT GARDEN

UK, 1999, 92 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Way, Greta Scacchi, James Wilby, Liz Smith, Joan Plowright, David Bradley, Mel Martin.
Directed by Willard Carroll.

Tom’s Midnight Garden is a film version of a very popular children’s novel by Philippa Pearce. It was made into television series in both 1974 and 1989. This version was written and directed by American Willard Carroll (Playing By Heart, Marigold).

The film is reminiscent of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, not only for the garden, but with the encounter between a young boy and a young girl.

The film is very British in a reserved kind of way. Anthony Way seems too old for the role of Tom. Greta Scacchi and James Wilby are solicitous as his aunt and uncle whom he has to stay with while his brother has the measles. There are some character performances by Liz Smith as a complaining resident, Joan Plowright as the mysterious Mrs Bartholomew and David Bradley (much the same as he is in the Harry Potter films) as the suspicious gardener.

A film for those who enjoy rather well-mannered and imaginative British children’s films.

1.The popularity of the novel? The adaptation for the screen?

2.The 1950s, settings, homes, costumes, cars…? Atmosphere? The flashbacks to the 19th century, costumes, the garden? The musical score?

3.The magical aspects of the story, time travel and Tom trying to get explanations from his uncle? Midnight, the clock chiming thirteen, Tom going through the door, into the garden the encounters? Moments in the garden – but long periods for the people in the garden?

4.Tom, his relationship with Peter, Peter and the measles, writing Peter postcards and explaining what happened to him? Tom going with his uncle and aunt? His apprehension, thinking he would be bored? Mrs Willows and her complaints? His aunt and uncle being very caring? The clock, the explanations of the house? The clock chiming thirteen?

5.Tom, going through the door, into the garden? Its beauty and extent? His seemingly a ghost? Abel and his being able to see him? Harriet and her being able to see him? The other characters – the brothers? Walking through the walls, walking through the characters?

6.Harriet, the orphan, her aunt being severe? Her relationship with her cousins? Tom seeing her at different ages? As a young girl, as a baby girl? Seeing her as grown up? Getting to know her, like her? Understanding her? The severe aunt? The behaviour of the cousins? Abel rescuing her? The skating? The visits to the town? Having the skates, hiding them, Tom finding them later?

7.The growing relationship? The effect on Tom? His not wanting to go home? Seeing the adult Harriet, on the trip with her, seeing Bartie? Her not seeing him and his disappointment?

8.Mrs Bartholomew, the talk with Tom, her reminiscences, explaining what had happened? Marriage to Bartie, the house? The bond between Mrs Bartholomew and Tom?

9.Tom going home, the uncle and aunt and their kindness towards him? The effect of the experience on him?