Heidi (miniseries)

Heidi

Home video cover
Directed by Michael Ray Rhodes
Produced by Frank Agrama
Nick Gilliot
Daniele Lorenzo
Written by Jeanne Rosenburg
Based on Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Starring Noley Thornton
Jason Robards
Jane Seymour
Jane Hazlegrove
Ben Brazier
Lexi Randall
Music by Lee Holdridge
Cinematography Dennis C. Lewiston
Edited by Randy Jon Morgan
Production
company
Distributed by Buena Vista Television
Release dates
 July 18, 1993
Running time
 193 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Heidi is a 1993 television miniseries based on the classic Swiss 1880 novel of the same name by Johanna Spyri, which has sold over 50 million copies[1] and has been adapted for film and television nearly 20 times. Heidi originally aired on July 18 and 19, 1993.[2] and stars Noley Thorton in the title role.

Story

At the beginning of part one of the miniseries, Heidi is being raised by her cousin Dete in Switzerland following the death of her parents. Dete soon becomes selfish and unwilling to incur the costs of raising Heidi. Dete decides to take Heidi to live in the Alps with her grandfather. Her grandfather is still distraught over the death of his son, whom he had fought with shortly before his passing. This leads him to initially resent Heidi’s presence. However, as the story progresses, Heidi’s innocence and charm break through her grandfather’s tough exterior. She also makes friends with a young goat herder named Peter.

In part two, Heidi’s charmed life falls apart. Dete comes to take her away from her grandfather, placing her with a wealthy family in Frankfurt. She is enlisted as a companion for Clara, a wheelchair bound girl who is considered an invalid by her family. Heidi manages to spread her joyous disposition in this environment too. However, Heidi becomes very homesick, and convinces Clara to take a trip to the mountains to visit her grandfather. While in the Alps, Heidi convinces Clara that they should both live their own lives. Clara takes Heidi’s words to heart, and finds the strength to walk again. The children then part ways, and Heidi continues her life with her grandfather and Peter.

Release and reception

Heidi aired on the Disney Channel in two parts on July 18 and 19 of 1993. Reviews of the series are generally positive, and pay special attention to the performance of Noley Thorton as Heidi. A review in the Chicago Tribune describes Thorton’s work as an “outstanding performance as the girl who has the innate ability to change people's lives.”[3] Gary Marsh, vice president of original programming for the Disney Channel, says that Thorton did not play the typical happy, carefree role of Heidi. “She is not the happy-go-lucky, carefree waif played by Shirley Temple, who frolics through life making everybody happy. She's an orphan in a desperate search for a permanent home."

The Philadelphia Inquirer lauds the miniseries for its lavish production when compared to previous adaptations. Heidi was filmed on location in Austria, and Lee Winfrey wrote “the new Heidi is an elaborate and elegant production.”[4] These factors led to the show being nominated for best miniseries or TV Film in the 51st Golden Globes.[5]

Cast

Production

The series was shot in both Salzburg and Tirol in Austria.[6]

The Church is the St. Nikolauskirche, Bichl, Matrei, Osttirol

References

  1. ↑ Hutchison, Geoffrey. "Switzerland-Heidi". ABC. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Heidi". IMDb. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Mangan, Jennifer (July 14, 1993). "'Heidi' Complex". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Winfrey, Lee (July 18, 1993). "Heidi Beguiles Again". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  5. ↑ "Awards for 1994". IMDb. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  6. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107099/locations

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, April 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.