Adventure in the Hopfields

Mandy Miller demonstrates that her captivating performance as 'Mandy' was no flash in the pan in what is easily the most delightful and accomplished Children's Film Foundation presentation - directed by an up-and coming John Guillermin - I've so far seen. (I wonder what changes were made to the revised edition of 1972 the credits on the print on Talking Pictures declare it to be?)

Beautifully shot by Ken Talbot in Kent in what was obviously a glorious summer in 1953 (when 45/- was an eye-watering sum to pay for a ceramic dog) with a lively score by an uncredited Ronald Binge. Obviously young Jenny doesn't go to her local pictures often enough or she would have seen Harold Lang play spivs often enough to have given him a wide berth; but he's here playing a good guy and for a CFF production there's an unusual absence of out-and-out villains, even young tearaway Melvyn Hayes coming through in the end. The amazing cast also ranges from a young Dandy Nichols and Edward Judd to an even younger Jane Asher.

I saw this film at the Whitbread Hopfarm in Kent a few years back. What an excellent piece of nostalgia and a perfectly delightful film. Reminded me of Saturday morning pictures 6d admission. The story is of a the London families who spent their "annual holiday" at the Hopfields. way that they would stretch out money (even a gift of a china dog) and the subsequent adventure that the children have at a windmill. Mandy Miller ( yes her of Mandy fame) played an excellent part - was probably one of her first parts. Could the owner of this film PLEASE consider releasing it for purchase on DVD. He was so enthusiastic that people should see it when he showed it and today's technology gives him the perfect opportunity to pass on this piece of history. I would give this 10/10 but the picture quality is a little grainy (but nevertheless well restored and acceptable)

Totally agree with the review that said they hope this film comes out on DVD. Or better still,how about an entire BoxSet collection of Mandy Miller's films. Extra's could include the many TV appearances she made including The Avengers,The Third Man,Juke Box Jury and The Saint. Great that she has been married to an architect for 54 years as I write in 2019 and has 3 children(not sure about grandkids). In 2017,she did a special interview for the 65th Anniversary edition DVD of 'Mandy'.

When Mandy Miller breaks her mother's treasured china dog, she comes down with a brainstorm and runs away in hopes of a working vacation in Kent without telling anyone.

Having seen half a dozen of these Children's Film Foundation movies, I thought I knew what to expect: some great scenic photography and some heavy-handed moralizing about how good children should behave -- as decreed by people who no longer remembered being children, had no children themselves, or who believed the lies their children told them. What I found was a very well told story directed by John Guillerman with a frequently subjective camera that evoked very nicely the fears and simple moral narratives of children. If it gets heavy-handed at the end, with a melodramatic rescue from a burning mill, at least the evil-doers are ambiguously repentant -- they never expected anyone to get hurt, really, they were just having a bit of a laugh.

I doubt the moralisers will be very pleased with this movie. However, I was.

Just saw this movie on Talking Pictures on UK TV. Brilliant copy and good film.