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The Borrowers [1997]


RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £2.87 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical praise in 1998. The eponymous Borrowers are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, and so on) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in cinemas, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favourite. --Jeff Shannon


Trans-Atlantic take on The Borrowers - not totally succesful but still very good
Review date: 2006-01-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

Unlike the superb BBC serialisation that was faithfully based on Mary Norton's book from the 50's, this film has been updated and an American TV star brought in. Unfortunately the script and plot isn't really quite as good as the original book and the out of place slapstick does reduce the tension somewhat. My son (9) and daughter (11) really liked this film, but I preferred the two BBC 'borrowers' series, first screened in 1993 and 1994 (make sure you get the two DVD set, series one and two - 6 hours of quality children's TV). The BBC series is far darker, being played straight with no slapstick and despite the Borrower's amusing antics and the witty script, it's got many quite tense moments and is all the better for it. The special effects in the film (and much of the BBC series) are actually very good - although a lot of the atmosphere in both is derived from the superb 'miniature' sets.

The BBC series scores though by being set in the original isolated 1920'ish shires countryside, about the time of Norton's childhood, in a period when children were more strictly brought up and would think nothing of keeping big secrets from the adults. This film is set in a UK town around 1956 and so seems quite modern in comparison. However, in any era the Borrower's worst fear, above even cats and rats, is to be 'seen' by a human, after which they know the human will spend all his time trying to find them again (so they will have leave and find a new home). The cast in the film are very good, although Jim Broadbent's character doesn't capture the sensitive and secretive nature of Borrower Pod as brilliantly as Ian Holm (BBC version). Also Penelope Wilson (BBC) just 'is' the timid house proud Homily. Likewise John Goodman doesn't hold a candle to the BBC's strict and rather sinister Sian Philips 'Mrs Driver', scourge of the human boy George unfortunate enough to be left in her care. It's not that the film's bad, far from it, its script and reliance on special effects just limits the actor's a little. In the films favour, it's so different it can easily be viewed as a sequel to the BBC series, and the film is certainly great fun (there's also a British A-list support cast and I particularly enjoyed Ruby Wax's cameo). The films break neck action sequences also make repeat viewing enjoyable.

If you can't decide whether to buy this film even at the knockdown price, try renting first, as the film is well worth a family view or two on a quiet winter's Sunday. Do also have a look at the BBC DVD set. Plus the original 'Borrowers' books are a good fairly easy read as for later preteens. Just a shame the BBC and the film industry didn't continue with a few more of the Borrower's books.

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Reviews


A Nice Family Film!
Review date: 2004-05-27 Rating: 8 out of 10

When i saw that this film was on in the holidays i decided that i would watch it, knowing how much attention 'The borrowers' had attracted back in 1998 when it was released. Although i don't usually like this type of film, with this it was different, and i quite enjoyed it.

Unfortunately i have never read the book so i don't know how accurate this film is, but it didn't really matter, becuase the supurb mixture of comedy, action/adventure and suspense, made it a really fun fil to watch.
The Clock family live in the walls and under the floor boards of an old aunt, however when she dies, and her will is stolen by a fat mean lawyer who wants to demolish the house for building land, the borrowers must escape before they are all squished. But saftey is a long way away and they need the help of a young boy when they venture into the outside world of cars, and 'big' people.

Overall a very fun and entertaining film, which kids are sure to love watching, as are the parents who watch it with them. I highly recommended movieif you want a few hours of good 'clean' family viewing.

Funny,captures your imagination and makes you want to be lit
Review date: 2001-11-28 Rating: 8 out of 10

This film is hysterically funny and makes you look at everything from a differrent perspective!
It basically makes you want to be a borrower! Definately worth watching.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Flora Newbigin
Mark Williams
Celia Imrie
John Goodman
Jim Broadbent

Creators:
John Goodman (Primary Contributor)
Mark Williams (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

EAN: 0044005512625
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 1998-10-16
Universal product code (UPC): 044005512625
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1998-02-13
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Unknown)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Dutch (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)

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