Heidi (2005 live-action film)

Heidi
DVD cover
Directed by	Paul Marcus
Written by	Brian Finch
Produced by	Christopher Figg Martyn Auty
Starring	Emma Bolger Max von Sydow Geraldine Chaplin Diana Rigg
Cinematography	Peter Sinclair
Edited by	David Rees
Music by	Jocelyn Pook
Production companies	Piccadilly Pictures Surefire Films Storm Entertainment Suitable Viewing Lux Vide
Distributed by	Storm Entertainment Warner Bros. (United States)
Release date	19 August 2005 (2005-08-19)
Running time	104 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Heidi (not to be confused with the animated film released in the same year) is a 2005 British family film directed by Paul Marcus. It is based on the iconic novel Heidi by Johanna Spyri, and stars Irish child actress Emma Bolger in the title role, alongside Max Von Sydow and Diana Rigg.

Plot

The story is about the titular young girl who goes to stay with her grandfather, in the Swiss Alps. She becomes close friend of the young boy, Peter the goatherd and often she goes with him and his goats on the mountains. Later, she goes to stay with the rich family Sesemann in Frankfurt, to be a hired companion to Clara Sesemann, who is regarded as an invalid. However, the Sesemanns' strict housekeeper, Fräulein Rottenmeier, views the household disruptions as wanton misbehavior, and places Heidi under more and more restraint. Soon Heidi is terribly homesick, and grows alarmingly pale. Her one diversion is learning to read and write, motivated by her desire to go home and read to Peter's blind grandmother. Clara's own grandmother visits the children and becomes a friend to Heidi. After becoming very homesick and ill, Heidi returns to her beloved grandfather. Heidi and Clara continue to keep in touch and exchange letters. Clara's doctor recommend Clara visit Heidi. He feels assured that the fresh mountain air and the wholesome companionship will do her good. While a shy Rottenmeier stays behind after a heart to heart conversation with Clara's grandmother, Clara herself makes the journey again the next season and spends a wonderful summer with Heidi and becomes stronger on goat's milk and fresh mountain air. But one day, Peter, who grows jealous of Heidi and Clara's friendship, pushes her empty wheelchair down the mountain to its destruction. While attempting to bring the wheelchair, Heidi is about to drop into a ravine, and Clara, running to save her, without realizing it, starts to walk. Her grandmother and father are amazed and overcome with joy to see Clara walking and the doctor promises to provide permanent care for Heidi, if there comes a time when her grandfather's no longer able to do so.

The film eventually ends with a still of Heidi playing ball with her friends.

Cast

• Emma Bolger as Heidi
• Max Von Sydow as Grandfather
• Geraldine Chaplin as Rottenmeier
• Diana Rigg as Grandmamma

Production

The soundtrack is composed by Jocelyn Pook.

External links

• Heidi at IMDb
• Heidi at Rotten Tomatoes