The Secret Garden (2020 film)
| Company type | Motion picture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Fantasy drama film |
The Secret Garden is a 2020 British fantasy drama motion picture adapted from the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Directed by Marc Munden with a screenplay by Jack Thorne, the film features performances by Dixie Egerickx, Colin Firth, and Julie Walters. Set in post-war England in 1947, the story centers on a young orphan girl who is sent to live with her uncle and uncovers an enchanted garden on his property.
The movie debuted in the United States through premium video on demand on 7 August 2020, distributed by STXfilms. In the United Kingdom, it premiered in cinemas on 23 October and was simultaneously made available on Sky Cinema channels by Sky.
Plot
In 1947, after the death of her parents from cholera during the Partition of India, Mary Lennox is discovered abandoned in her residence in British India. She is then relocated to Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire, the home of her uncle, Lord Archibald Craven. Mary, initially a surly and withdrawn child, encounters Mrs. Medlock, the stern housekeeper, and Martha, a maid.
While exploring the estate, Mary befriends a stray dog named Jemima and comes across Colin Craven, Lord Craven’s son who is confined to bed. After rescuing Jemima from a snare, Mary stumbles upon the secret garden. Led by a robin, she uncovers a stone statue that conceals the key to this hidden garden.
Mary reveals the garden’s secret to Colin, who at first is indifferent due to his alleged ailments. She later meets Dickon, who assists with caring for Jemima. Together, they devise a plan to bring Colin into the garden to support his healing. Following an incident where Mary is punished for taking a pearl necklace from the house, she discovers letters exchanged between her mother and aunt that strengthen her bond with Colin.
A fire ignited by an inattentive Lord Craven engulfs the manor. Mary manages to save him while Colin remains safe outside. This crisis prompts Lord Craven to reconnect with his son and commit to his recovery.
The film ends with Lord Craven restoring the estate as Mary, Dickon, and Colin delight in the renewed secret garden.
Cast
- Dixie Egerickx as Mary Lennox
- Colin Firth as Lord Archibald Craven
- Julie Walters as Mrs. Medlock
- Edan Hayhurst as Colin Craven
- Amir Wilson as Dickon
- Isis Davis as Martha
- Maeve Dermody as Alice
Production
In 2016, Heyday Films joined forces with StudioCanal to develop a new adaptation of the novel, appointing Jack Thorne as screenwriter.
By 2018, director Marc Munden was attached to the project. Casting announcements in April included Colin Firth and Julie Walters, with principal photography commencing later that month. This role marked Firth’s second involvement in an adaptation of The Secret Garden, following one made thirty-three years prior.
The exterior façade representing Misselthwaite Manor was filmed at Harlaxton Manor, located in Lincolnshire. Additional estate scenes were captured at various North Yorkshire locations such as Duncombe Park, Helmsley Walled Garden, Helmsley Castle, Fountains Abbey, and Studley Royal Park. The production also utilized the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Scenes depicting Mary’s parents’ residence in India were shot at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in Dorset; pool sequences took place at the Indian pool within Trematon Castle, Cornwall.
Other filming sites included Iford Manor Gardens in Wiltshire; Bodnant Garden’s Laburnam Arch in North Wales; alongside locations throughout Hertfordshire, Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Greater London; and production work at Pinewood Studios.
Release
The Secret Garden was originally planned for release by StudioCanal UK on 3 April 2020 but was postponed until 14 August due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later in August, Sky obtained the British distribution rights and launched the film both in cinemas and on Sky Cinema channels on 23 October. In the United States, STX Entertainment handled distribution through Premium VOD starting 7 August. Initially, Global Road Entertainment had acquired the North American rights in May 2018 but transferred them to STXfilms in March 2019. The DVD and Blu-Ray versions were released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on 6 October 2020.
Box office and VOD
During its opening weekend in Spain, the movie generated $139,000, securing the second position at the box office. In the U.S. market, it launched as the most rented title on Amazon Prime and ranked fifth on FandangoNow. By its second weekend, it had fallen to seventh place on Fandango’s rental charts.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, a majority of reviews were favorable, with an average score reflecting positive reception. The critical consensus praises the film as a "delightful adaptation" that stays true to its original work while introducing a new perspective. Meanwhile, Metacritic assigned a weighted average score of 59 out of 100 based on evaluations from 20 critics, signifying "mixed or average reviews."