Little Lord Fauntleroy

The young Rick(y) Schroder is delightful as the displaced and uprooted Little Lord Fauntleroy/Ceddie. Consider the beautiful English countryside as an important member of a stellar cast; mixed together it would be difficult to make anything but an excellent film.

That innocent young Fauntleroy melts the heart of his cantankerous grandfather played by Alec Guinness is hardly surprising. It is the typical Christmas good overcoming evil theme in the best Charles Dickens tradition. It is the path of the film, the actors and the setting that make this a jewel. The plot goes something like this: Grandfather sends for grandson.

Grandson assumes love, Grandfather is looking for an heir.

Heir becomes loved grandson.

There are subplots of grandfather not liking American mother/daughter-in-law and refusing to acknowledge her; the deplorable conditions of the estate's workers; and a contender for heir to the title and estate.

I watched this gem when it first aired and have watched my poorly transferred VHS copy yearly since (in my household it wouldn't be Christmas without it).

I long for this made-for-TV movie to be released on a remastered DVD.

This fantastic TV Movie made in 1979-80 still holds its place as the Best TV Movie ever made. The production values are fabulous, the cinematography awesome, the music score perfect, the casting magnificent, the pacing on track and the story emotional and very involving. Initially I video taped it, cutting out commercials, and that print was very imperfect. Years later I bought the VHS video version and the picture quality was quite poor with dirt specks and impurities and a very faded, sepia toned print. This film should be on the list for film preservation and remastering. It is a classic and I agree with those of you who say it is the best version to date, as I've seen the others and they pale in comparison. The DVD on Blu-Ray or regular would sell like hotcakes if it were properly marketed and there's a huge whole new audience out there who'd absolutely love it! There is a Website for TV Series Wanted on DVD, but sadly, no such forum for Movies Wanted on DVD. I have a List on my Website at: King Spud's Movie & TV Pages of many great films not yet released on DVD. Someone has been peeking at it as some very obscure films I listed have been produced on DVD. I just wish I could get All of those who own the rights to check out my List. Til then we can hope for the DVD or Hallmark Channel and other cable networks to run it again.

Our family have loved this film for years. (see my comments posted in December 2003) But our recorded VHS version had deteriorated so much that it was no longer enjoyable to watch. I tried the "normal" means to searched for a DVD version but without success. I could only find VHS "collectable" copies at ludicrous prices (£40 to £50 plus postage, etc.) . Then I found someone in Holland offering a version on Ebay and thus discovered accident that a DVD version had been produced in Italy! - in English AND Italian. A quick web search enabled me to order from an Italian book & media Internet seller and I got an excellent copy in proper box within 3 days for a total price including delivery of under £20 ($35). Worth every penny even though it had only mono sound and presumably must have been a copy from a film distributor's version !

Not only an excellent leading cast, Alec Guinness superb as the curmudgeony earl and Ricky Schroeder believably charming as the American boy thrust into the world of the English nobility, the minor characters are also exceptional: Eric Porter as the earl's steward and Patrick Stewart as the head coachman both particularly memorable. The pace of the film is also excellent, events happen and characters develop with interesting detail but without over emphasis or very drawn out scenes. Overall, in our family's top 20 or even top 10 fims. So, why on earth can't the studio issue this film on VHS or DVD! Considering the absolute rubbish that is now available even on DVD there must surely be a market for an excellent seasonal "family" film like this. We made a recording when this film was shown on TV sometime in the early 80s, since when it has been played at least twice a year for the last 20 years and both sound and vision have now deteriorated to a point where it is almost unwatchable. PLEASE! someone, pass this request on to the studio and get it issued on DVD. We know there are many families like us who would be happy to pay £15 or so for a new version to play for the next 20 years.

I remember this film with great fondness. The film is full of well known British actors and American's Connie Booth and Ricky Schroder. I would dearly love to see this film again. I first saw it at the cinema, which would often show TV movies, and then it seemed to be shown on TV almost every Christmas.

The music score was particularly good too and even now I can remember the wonderful theme.

Another reason why I liked this film so much is that it was filmed locally to where I used to live. The castle scenes were filmed in and around Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire (near Grantham), and where the Duke of Rutland resides. The shop/village scenes were filmed in the village of Exton, Rutland (near Oakham - my home town).

Hope to see a DVD copy sometime! BTW would love to know Patrick Stewart's thoughts/memories on this film!