This film is a special effects dream. An update of the classic tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett, which was first made into a movie in 1949 and then in 1993, this movie focuses on orphaned teen Mary Lennox (Glennellen Anderson), who discovers the wonder, magic and mystery of the secret garden.

There are many delightful characters that Mary meets, including Martha Sowerby (Amanda Waters), who tells Mary she has never had a friend before and hopes that Mary will be her companion. (Mary has never had a true friend either.) Martha is loyal to Mary when she arrives at the Craven factory, which is owned by Archibald Craven (Michael Vaughn). But a bit of tragedy is associated with the factory. Craven’s wife Lily died some years ago, and Craven allows few of the boilers to be lit, making it cold in the factory. His wife loved to experiment when she was alive and worked on marvelous and magical creations in her “secret garden.” Soon Mary explores the factory and is intrigued when she comes across the secret garden. She is convinced there is much more to the garden than meets the eye. And more than once she wonders if she is simply staring at old pipes and walls, or does she see something more?

During her adventures she meets Dickon Sowerby (Martha’s younger brother), and the two of them discover a bed-ridden young man named Colin (Paden Anderson). There is a mystery surrounding him too. Who exactly is he and is there any hope he will ever walk again? And it sure helps when a key is discovered that opens every door in the factory.

There will be many questions raised as one watches this movie, but ultimately, there are answers, and the audience won’t be left hanging.

The Dove Take

This film uses nice, updated special effects, which are truly effective in the secret garden scenes. It shows that people can change, as Mary goes from being a surly girl who expects her smallest whim to be met, to a caring young lady who finds some loyal friends during her journey. We are pleased to award the movie our Dove All-Ages Seal.