''Tom's Midnight Garden'' is a 1999

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

fantasy film directed by

Willard Carroll Willard F. Carroll (born November 12, 1955, in Easton, Maryland) is an American producer, writer, director, and animator. Career He was an executive producer of ''The Brave Little Toaster'', ''The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars'' and '' The ...

and starring Nigel Le Vaillant, Marlene Sidaway and Serena Gordon. The screenplay (by Willard Carroll) concerns a boy who discovers a secret garden. The film was based on the novel ''

Tom's Midnight Garden ''Tom's Midnight Garden'' is a children's fantasy novel by Philippa Pearce. It was first published in 1958 by Oxford University Press with illustrations by Susan Einzig. It has been reissued in print many times and also adapted for radio, tele ...

'' by

Philippa Pearce Ann Philippa Pearce OBE (22 January 1920 – 21 December 2006) was an English author of children's books. Best known of them is the time-slip novel ''Tom's Midnight Garden'', which won the 1958 Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, as ...

, and filmed at

Chenies Manor House Chenies Manor House in the parish of Chenies in Buckinghamshire, England, is a Tudor Grade I listed building once known as Chenies Palace, although it was never a royal seat nor the seat of a bishop. It was held by the Cheney family since 118 ...

in Buckinghamshire. The film was produced by

Hyperion Pictures Hyperion may refer to: Greek mythology * Hyperion (Titan), one of the twelve Titans * ''Hyperion'', a byname of the Sun, Helios * Hyperion of Troy or Yperion, son of King Priam Science * Hyperion (moon), a moon of the planet Saturn * ''Hy ...

Premise

After going to stay with his uncle a boy is disappointed that he doesn't have a garden he can play in. However, he discovers a secret garden that only appears in the middle of the night.

Plot

When Tom Long's brother Peter gets measles he is sent to stay with his Uncle Alan and Aunt Gwen in a flat with no garden. An elderly and reclusive landlady, Mrs Bartholomew, lives upstairs. Because he may be infectious he is not allowed out to play, and feels lonely. Without exercise he is less sleepy at night and when he hears the communal grandfather clock strangely strike 13, he investigates and finds the small back yard is now a large sunlit garden. Here he meets another lonely child called Hatty, who seems to be the only one who can see him. They have adventures which he gradually realises are taking place in the 19th century. Each night when Tom visits, Hatty is slightly older and Tom begins to wonder about the nature of time and reality. In an attempt to discover what's going on Tom asks Hattie to leave her skates in a hidden place. When he goes back into the future he manages to find them. One night Hatty and Tom go out skating however Hatty begins to fall in love with a boy from her own time named Barty and Tom finds he is invisible to her. The next night Tom is unable to find the garden, running into rubbish bins from the modern day instead. Just before Tom returns home he meets Mrs Bartholomew, who is revealed to be the elderly Hatty.

Cast

* Nigel Le Vaillant ... Thomas Long (adult) * Marlene Sidaway ... Doris Schuster * Serena Gordon ... Melody Long * Alfie Lawrence ... Harriet Long *

Mel Martin Mel Martin (born March 1947) is an English actress. Early life Her father was the artist Frank Vernon Martin, who died in 2005. Career Her breakthrough role was as the star of LWT's ''Love For Lydia'' (1977), adapted from the novel by H E B ...

... Alice Long *

Greta Scacchi Greta Scacchi, OMRI (; born 18 February 1960) is an Italian-Australian actress. She holds dual Italian and Australian citizenship. She is best known for her roles in the films '' White Mischief'' (1987), '' Presumed Innocent'' (1990), '' The Pl ...

... Aunt Gwen Kitson *

James Wilby James Jonathon Wilby (born 20 February 1958) is an English actor. Early life and education Wilby was born in Rangoon, Burma to a corporate executive father. He was educated at Terrington Hall School, North Yorkshire and Sedbergh School in Cu ...

... Uncle Alan Kitson *

Anthony Way Anthony Way (born 14 December 1982) is an English chorister and classical singer, who rose to fame after appearing as a chorister in a BBC TV series. He has since had success as a recording artist, with gold and platinum discs to his credit. B ...

... Tom Long * Nick Robinson ... Peter Long * Liz Smith ... Mrs. Willows * Arlene Cockburn ... Susan the Maid * Tom Bowles ... Mr. Ferguson *

Joan Plowright Joan Ann Olivier, Baroness Olivier, (née Plowright; born 28 October 1929), professionally known as Dame Joan Plowright, is an English retired actress whose career has spanned over seven decades. She has won two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony ...

... Mrs. Bartholomew (old Hatty) * David Bradley ... Abel * Stuart Piper ... Hubert * Guy Witcher ... Edgar *

Rory Jennings Rory Jennings (born 20 July 1983) is a British actor, radio personality for Talksport, and poker player. He played Craig Dixon in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' appearing on screen between 27 July and 7 September 2007. Early life Jenn ...

... James (12 years) *

Florence Hoath Florence Angela L. Hoath (born 12 July 1984) is a retired British actress. The daughter of British actress Tina Martin, Hoath was born in London and made her film debut in the 1993 screen adaptation of ''Secret Rapture'' at the age of eight. S ...

... Hatty (12/13 years) *

Penelope Wilton Dame Penelope Alice Wilton (born 3 June 1946), styled Penelope, Lady Holm between 1998 and 2001, is an English actress. She is known for starring opposite Richard Briers in the BBC sitcom ''Ever Decreasing Circles'' (1984–1989); playing H ...

... Aunt Melbourne * Laurel Melsom ... Youngest Hatty *

Noah Huntley Noah Cornelius Marmaduke Huntley (born 7 September 1974) is an English actor and model. He has appeared in films such as ''28 Days Later'' (2002), '' The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'' (2005), ''Snow White and the ...

... James (20 years) * Caroline Carver ... Hatty (young woman) *

Daniel Betts Daniel Alexander Betts (born 10 December 1971) is a British film, television, stage and voiceover actor. Life Born in West Sussex, Betts trained at the Drama Centre London. As well as appearing in films and television programmes, he has been ...

... Barty * Robert Putt ... Tower Keeper * Arthur Cox ... Mr. Batsford

References

External links

* {{Willard Carroll 1999 films American fantasy films British fantasy films Films directed by Willard Carroll Films set in the 19th century Films set in the Victorian era Films shot at Pinewood Studios Films about time travel Films with screenplays by Willard Carroll Hyperion Pictures films 1990s English-language films 1990s American films 1990s British films