A few weeks ago I picked up a very charming children's book called 5 Children and It. Written by E. Nesbit and originally published in 1902 or thereabouts, it's a remarkably modern-sounding tale about a family, with maid and cook, who go to the country for the summer. The father has to work in the city, and the mother is called away on some business, and the children are left to their own devices under the care of the maid and cook, who are happy as long as the children stay outside all day and don't mess up the house, and show up for meals and bed on time. So far an extremely believable story that anyone who has rented a summer place can relate to. The children discover a magical creature called a psammead ("sammyadd") which grants them one wish a day. Minor misadventures ensue, with each succeeding day another chapter in the book. The children learn to be careful in their wishes and to think ahead. A good life lesson. Then they made a movie. Movies can't be about ordinary people because then we would all start thinking we're equal. This family has sent Father off to World War I as a flying ace, Mother as a dedicated volunteer nurse, and the children go to a large country home on the cliffs of Dover to stay with their batty uncle, evil cousin and a mysterious woman who is neither the uncle's wife nor just a housekeeper. It doesn't matter because she just provides plot devices necessary to carry along the movie version which is wholly different from the book except for the character's names and two of the wishes. Imagine if the movie version of Harry Potter had included Dr Xavier and the X-Men characters and been set in wartime because some pinhead producer felt that J K Rowling's story didn't have enough flash and mawkishness. If you've seen the movie, read the book. If you've read the book, skip the movie. There was a BBC version made in the early 1990s. I'm going to find a copy of that and have a look. This book was that good.
28 Reviews
Worthwhile but not a classic
gibbonstn24 October 2004
In these days of blockbuster movies made especially for children, it is quite refreshing to see an old fashioned tale of magic and mischief. Children of all ages will like this film and take it at face value - it is an adaptation of a classic story. The special effects are reasonable but unremarkable and we are drawn mainly to the characters played by Kenneth Branagh and Zoe Wanamaker, the latter having the best role by far. The story skips along nicely to its inevitable and predictable ending. The storyline is sentimental; unfortunately the child actors do not add anything to this emotion and appear to be fairly wooden. The film is worth a viewing on a rainy afternoon but it is unlikely to draw in the crowds.
Eddie Izzard's hysterical portrayal of "It" is his best performance and the only real reason to see this otherwise unremarkable children's film
dbborroughs21 February 2006
Five children go to the country to stay with their uncle during the First World War. While exploring the house they come upon a secret door which takes them down to the beach where they meet a "sand fairy" who agrees to grant one wish a day for them. The wishes all go horribly wrong, but in the process the children learn something.
The Jim Henson Company produced this adaptation of the E Nesbit story and its not one of their better works. The film looks like any other children's book adaptation you can think of to the extent that you could probably inter-cut scenes from this film with any other similar children's film and not be able to tell the difference. Its not bad, but it doesn't have anything unique about it...
...well actually it does, It has two excellent performances that keep this film from sinking to the bottom of the children's film adaptation barrel. The first is Kenneth Branagh as they kids crazy Uncle Albert. he isn't in it all that much but while he's on screen he chews the scenery looking like a deranged Jim Broadbent. He is charmingly scatterbrained as a man who doesn't know what day it is and who wonders where last October went to.
The other joy is Eddie Izzard, in his best role to date as the voice of the sand fairy, the "It" of the title. This is Izzard at his free-form best as he bounces off the walls of sanity in a steady stream of nonsense. Izzard's portrayal is a kin to an evening of his best stand-up comedy but in the context of the story, where anything can and will come out of the mouth of a little creature with a mobile home. Its one of the funniest things I've seen on screen on long time and he's the real reason to see the film.
Over all a completely average children's film made more than watchable thanks to Eddie Izzard's vocal performance as It. Worth a rental or a viewing on cable, especially if you're a fan.
The Jim Henson Company produced this adaptation of the E Nesbit story and its not one of their better works. The film looks like any other children's book adaptation you can think of to the extent that you could probably inter-cut scenes from this film with any other similar children's film and not be able to tell the difference. Its not bad, but it doesn't have anything unique about it...
...well actually it does, It has two excellent performances that keep this film from sinking to the bottom of the children's film adaptation barrel. The first is Kenneth Branagh as they kids crazy Uncle Albert. he isn't in it all that much but while he's on screen he chews the scenery looking like a deranged Jim Broadbent. He is charmingly scatterbrained as a man who doesn't know what day it is and who wonders where last October went to.
The other joy is Eddie Izzard, in his best role to date as the voice of the sand fairy, the "It" of the title. This is Izzard at his free-form best as he bounces off the walls of sanity in a steady stream of nonsense. Izzard's portrayal is a kin to an evening of his best stand-up comedy but in the context of the story, where anything can and will come out of the mouth of a little creature with a mobile home. Its one of the funniest things I've seen on screen on long time and he's the real reason to see the film.
Over all a completely average children's film made more than watchable thanks to Eddie Izzard's vocal performance as It. Worth a rental or a viewing on cable, especially if you're a fan.
A really good family film
LizLondon29 October 2004
I took my 7 and 9 year old daughters to see this and enjoyed it as much as them. It is set in the First World War and has the same sort of feel as the Railway Children but with some magic in. It was a really good family film with no f*rt jokes or rude bits that you have to explain later.
It has a sentimental theme to the story without drowning you in saccharine which made it much more genuine and affecting - cue me sniffing! At the same time it had a good line in comedy which was quite modern and stopped the film from being too dated. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an really enjoyable film to take the kids to.
Lovely!
It has a sentimental theme to the story without drowning you in saccharine which made it much more genuine and affecting - cue me sniffing! At the same time it had a good line in comedy which was quite modern and stopped the film from being too dated. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants an really enjoyable film to take the kids to.
Lovely!
A travesty
Leofwine_draca31 July 2015
FIVE CHILDREN AND IT is the perfect way to trash the memory of the classic Edith Nesbit novel by turning it into something soulless, trivial, and trashy. Although the premise of the the film and the novel are the same, both veer off in very different directions and it has to be said that this bears little relation to the characters or events of the book's storyline.
Firstly, the setting has been changed to WW1 from the Crimean War; I'm not sure why, except maybe people don't know or care about the Crimean War these days. Instead of the likable, inventive children of the Nesbit story, we get a bunch of screamers, whiners, and - in the case of Freddie Highmore - oddly creepy kids and the stock fat cousin character who of course turns out to be evil. God knows what all that monster stuff in the basement laboratory is supposed to be about.
The famous Psammead, voiced by the irritating Eddie Izzard and animated via rubbishy CGI, is a far cry from the excellent puppet utilised in the old BBC TV series version of the tale. Elsewhere, we get horrible CGI dinosaurs, CGI flying people (to cash in on HARRY POTTER, of course), and dumb comedy in the form of fart and burp jokes. The director is so inexperienced he even uses cheesy slow motion in the sentimental interludes. Elsewhere, viewers are stuck watching the likes of Kenneth Branagh and Zoe Wanamaker mugging for all their worth. Stick with the BBC show!
Firstly, the setting has been changed to WW1 from the Crimean War; I'm not sure why, except maybe people don't know or care about the Crimean War these days. Instead of the likable, inventive children of the Nesbit story, we get a bunch of screamers, whiners, and - in the case of Freddie Highmore - oddly creepy kids and the stock fat cousin character who of course turns out to be evil. God knows what all that monster stuff in the basement laboratory is supposed to be about.
The famous Psammead, voiced by the irritating Eddie Izzard and animated via rubbishy CGI, is a far cry from the excellent puppet utilised in the old BBC TV series version of the tale. Elsewhere, we get horrible CGI dinosaurs, CGI flying people (to cash in on HARRY POTTER, of course), and dumb comedy in the form of fart and burp jokes. The director is so inexperienced he even uses cheesy slow motion in the sentimental interludes. Elsewhere, viewers are stuck watching the likes of Kenneth Branagh and Zoe Wanamaker mugging for all their worth. Stick with the BBC show!
Good British Fun
jesussaysohyeahtokungfu16 February 2006
Searching through the movies on 'Sky' when I was off work with flu, I stumbled across the film 'five children and it', when I was a young kid i Remember watching a program of the same name on 'BBC' and really loving it, so in an effort to restore past childhood memories (or potentially risk damaging them) i decided to give the new adaptation a go.
It got me gripped from beginning to end and I could not believe this had not been 'in my face' more with advertising and marketing schemes, this has the feel of a real good old classic BBC children's drama that you would find on a Saturday afternoon and leaves you with a real good feel good factor.
The cast is a really good choice with not a sniff of bad acting and plenty of great script work with funny,emotional and sometimes hysterical pieces of dialogue. 'Kenneth Brannagh' for me leads the cast as the professor, really funny and keeps a smile on your face. The children are all equally good, putting in excellent roles and not looking lost for a minute.....you would think they are a real family! Eddie Izard is a real gem though, giving him the role of the psamiead with a dodgy accent at first gives you the impression you are about to be disappointed but I could never have been further wrong, he has an amazing role and keeps the punchlines coming and coming.
Overall I am a 21 year old guy and found this film to be a real treasure and would certainly tell my own kids one day to watch. I still think it is criminal that the film didn't do better than it did.
a real worth see.
It got me gripped from beginning to end and I could not believe this had not been 'in my face' more with advertising and marketing schemes, this has the feel of a real good old classic BBC children's drama that you would find on a Saturday afternoon and leaves you with a real good feel good factor.
The cast is a really good choice with not a sniff of bad acting and plenty of great script work with funny,emotional and sometimes hysterical pieces of dialogue. 'Kenneth Brannagh' for me leads the cast as the professor, really funny and keeps a smile on your face. The children are all equally good, putting in excellent roles and not looking lost for a minute.....you would think they are a real family! Eddie Izard is a real gem though, giving him the role of the psamiead with a dodgy accent at first gives you the impression you are about to be disappointed but I could never have been further wrong, he has an amazing role and keeps the punchlines coming and coming.
Overall I am a 21 year old guy and found this film to be a real treasure and would certainly tell my own kids one day to watch. I still think it is criminal that the film didn't do better than it did.
a real worth see.
Annoyingly dissimilar to the book
grayure27 October 2004
I would think that this was one of those films whose director hadn't read the book it was based on, were it not for the fact that they are just slightly similar. It is certainly possible for a great film to be "based" very loosely on a book and this was certainly the latter but not the former.
There were a number of flaws. One was that it tried to be too much like the Railway Children, probably because adults would expect this, being from the same author. Another is that it also sought to be too like Harry Potter, down to the music and in overemphasizing the setting. I have nothing against J K Rowling or the films but the book is just nothing like the Harry Potter ones. I thought the Psammead, though very well voiced by Eddie Izzard and in character too, was almost gratuitously in a totally inappropriate environment. I may have missed something here, as the comments made about one of the characters' own books may have been a reference to the inaccuracy of the adaptation. There was also no need for the extra characters, and today's special effects could easily have been used to tell the story as it was written, but they weren't.
I saw this film with my two children, one of whom knows the book and the other of whom doesn't. The one who does know it thought it was all right but wasn't as enthusiastic as the one who doesn't. I'm not sure what this means.
There were a number of flaws. One was that it tried to be too much like the Railway Children, probably because adults would expect this, being from the same author. Another is that it also sought to be too like Harry Potter, down to the music and in overemphasizing the setting. I have nothing against J K Rowling or the films but the book is just nothing like the Harry Potter ones. I thought the Psammead, though very well voiced by Eddie Izzard and in character too, was almost gratuitously in a totally inappropriate environment. I may have missed something here, as the comments made about one of the characters' own books may have been a reference to the inaccuracy of the adaptation. There was also no need for the extra characters, and today's special effects could easily have been used to tell the story as it was written, but they weren't.
I saw this film with my two children, one of whom knows the book and the other of whom doesn't. The one who does know it thought it was all right but wasn't as enthusiastic as the one who doesn't. I'm not sure what this means.
No evacuations in London in 1917
j-santo16 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Big, big error. No children were evacuated from London until WW2. How could they make a mistake like that and say it was 1917 evacuations??? Otherwis the film was enjoyable. Don't have enough to say for myself to write 10 lines. Can I just repeat all this again please? Big, big error. No children were evacuated from London until WW2. How could they make a mistake like that and say it was 1917 evacuations??? Otherwis the film was enjoyable. Don't have enough to say for myself to write 10 lines. Can I just repeat all this again please? Big, big error. No children were evacuated from London until WW2. How could they make a mistake like that and say it was 1917 evacuations??? Otherwis the film was enjoyable. Don't have enough to say for myself to write 10 lines. Can I just repeat all this again please?
Five Children and It
jboothmillard5 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I saw the poster and possibly a trailer for this film that obviously appealed to the kiddies more than the mummies and daddies, and it looked pretty terrible, so I tried it. Basically five children, Robert (Freddie Highmore), Cyril (Jonathan Bailey), Anthea (Jessica Claridge), Jane (Poppy Rogers) and baby Lamb (twins Alec and Zak Muggleton), are evacuated to the countryside during The First World War. They are taken to the mansion of their Uncle Albert (Kenneth Branagh), along with his mischievous son Horace (Alexander Pownall) and housekeeper Martha (Zoë Wanamaker). Given a set of rules to follow and many chores during their stay there is no room to have fun, that is until they enter a certain room of the house they are not allowed, and go through a locked door. This door leads them to an secret empty beach, and it is there that they meet the ancient, ugly and irritable Psammead, or sand fairy referred to only as It (Eddie Izzard). As he is a fairy, he has the power to grant one wish per day, but this wish lasts only until sunset, and the children use this to their advantage when possible. They are unaware though that some of these wishes do not work out the way they expected, so they have to word them very carefully. While Horace is getting suspicious of his five relatives' recent behaviours, the one wish Robert wants in particular from It is for their Father (Alex Jennings) to return safe from the war. Horace does try to be nasty towards It, but in the end they say goodbye to him on his birthday, and their Father does return to them to be happy. Also starring Brassed Off's Tara Fitzgerald as Mother, John Sessions as Peasemarsh and Norman Wisdom as Nesbitt. I can sort of agree without the voice of Eddie Izzard the film would be even worse, but it doesn't make it any better, it is too cheesy, too predictable, and it's not magical even with the moments with special effects, a disappointing family period fantasy adventure. It won the BAFTA for the Anthony Asquith Award for Best New British Composer for Jane Antonia Cornish. Adequate!
Charming film if in need of more lustre
TheLittleSongbird1 April 2011
The book I agree is better with a charming story and memorable characters. This film on its own terms(which I will be judging this film solely on) is quite nice, if lacking a bit of lustre, however it is rather disappointing as an adaptation.
The best thing about 5 Children and It is the splendid performance of Eddie Izzard as It(very well-designed in animatronic style), and helped by endearing cheeky humour and an eccentric vibe. The story has a nice blend of mischief and magic and features very likable and oddball characters. The film visually looks very nice, the photography is pleasant enough while the sets and costumes are vibrant and colourful. Jane Antonia Cornish's music sparkles, the film does move quickly and there are some decent performances from Freddie Highmore, Zoe Wannamaker and Kenneth Branagh.
On the other hand, I don't think 5 Children and It is long enough, consequently there are some assets that fall short. I just wish the dialogue sparkled as much as the music score and that of the book, but a lot of it does fall flat with exception of It's. I was also rather disappointed in the special effects, not all of them were bad but some have a rushed and amateurish look to them. The direction has its moments, but there are occasions when it could have had more muster. While there are some good performances, some of the supporting cast resort to overplaying a stretch, Tara Fitzgerald seems a bit too eager to please.
So all in all, disappointing but quite charming on its own. 6/10 Bethany Cox
The best thing about 5 Children and It is the splendid performance of Eddie Izzard as It(very well-designed in animatronic style), and helped by endearing cheeky humour and an eccentric vibe. The story has a nice blend of mischief and magic and features very likable and oddball characters. The film visually looks very nice, the photography is pleasant enough while the sets and costumes are vibrant and colourful. Jane Antonia Cornish's music sparkles, the film does move quickly and there are some decent performances from Freddie Highmore, Zoe Wannamaker and Kenneth Branagh.
On the other hand, I don't think 5 Children and It is long enough, consequently there are some assets that fall short. I just wish the dialogue sparkled as much as the music score and that of the book, but a lot of it does fall flat with exception of It's. I was also rather disappointed in the special effects, not all of them were bad but some have a rushed and amateurish look to them. The direction has its moments, but there are occasions when it could have had more muster. While there are some good performances, some of the supporting cast resort to overplaying a stretch, Tara Fitzgerald seems a bit too eager to please.
So all in all, disappointing but quite charming on its own. 6/10 Bethany Cox
What the heck...?
SusieSalmonLikeTheFish25 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Basically Five Children and It is the story of a group of kids who have three wishes granted by a strange creature called the sand fairy. If your kid is two years old they may enjoy it, but overall it's pretty bad. Boring soundtrack, lousy acting and a rather dull plot make this a movie I wouldn't recommend. There is one good thing about it, no sex jokes or fart jokes, but aside from that it's a pretty pathetic film. That being said, it is a children's movie, so to truly decide whether or not your kid would enjoy it you'd have to make that decision on your own. This is just my opinion. I'd recommend Lilo & Stitch (2002), Paperhouse (1988) or Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World (1973).
a Truly Moving Picture
tollini29 September 2005
I am a judge for the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival. This feature film is a Crystal Heart Award Winner and is eligible to be the Grand Prize Winner in October of 2005. The Heartland Film Festival is a non-profit that honors Truly Moving Pictures. A Truly Moving Picture "
explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life."
This is a movie in the tradition of "Harry Potter" movies and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events." It is a fantasy set in 1917 in wartime England. Five children are sent from London to the countryside for safety and security reasons. They are staying in a large, spooky, Gothic-like house with a math-crazed Uncle played brilliantly by Kenneth Branagh. His acting and make-up are so unique that there is no way you could possibly tell it was Branagh. The Uncle has many rules for the children including stay out of the greenhouse. Of course they disobey the rules and the greenhouse leads them to a secret beach where they find a sand fairy.
The sand fairy is cute and small and insolent and irreverent and funny. The children are off on adventures because the sand fairy grants them one wish a day. They soon find that getting what you wish for can be overwhelming and not welcomed.
The leader among the five children is not the oldest. The leader is a classic all-boy instigator, Robert, that pushes the story forward constantly by being curious and never reigning himself in. He is played by Freddie Highmore of "Finding Neverland" fame and he steals the movie with his character and his screen presence.
The children as a group are interesting. They are loyal to each other, they care deeply for their parents, and they develop a love for the sand fairy. And they learn from their mistakes.
This film has beautiful art direction and wonderful casting and acting.
FYI There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Crystal Heart winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.
This is a movie in the tradition of "Harry Potter" movies and "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events." It is a fantasy set in 1917 in wartime England. Five children are sent from London to the countryside for safety and security reasons. They are staying in a large, spooky, Gothic-like house with a math-crazed Uncle played brilliantly by Kenneth Branagh. His acting and make-up are so unique that there is no way you could possibly tell it was Branagh. The Uncle has many rules for the children including stay out of the greenhouse. Of course they disobey the rules and the greenhouse leads them to a secret beach where they find a sand fairy.
The sand fairy is cute and small and insolent and irreverent and funny. The children are off on adventures because the sand fairy grants them one wish a day. They soon find that getting what you wish for can be overwhelming and not welcomed.
The leader among the five children is not the oldest. The leader is a classic all-boy instigator, Robert, that pushes the story forward constantly by being curious and never reigning himself in. He is played by Freddie Highmore of "Finding Neverland" fame and he steals the movie with his character and his screen presence.
The children as a group are interesting. They are loyal to each other, they care deeply for their parents, and they develop a love for the sand fairy. And they learn from their mistakes.
This film has beautiful art direction and wonderful casting and acting.
FYI There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Crystal Heart winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.
A beautiful unique fairytale.
Shopaholic3524 February 2014
This movie deserves more credit than it has received. While it may not feature lots of action, big budget special effects or colourful animation it does have a calming mythical theme. It teaches children that there are no shortcuts in life but that you can make your own luck.
Sometimes you need a movie that challenges your imagination instead of creating one for you, and this is it. Children can visualise their own wishes and ideas about what they would do if they came across a sand fairy. So yes it may not have the "blockbuster" title attached to it but that does not make it a bad movie. Instead it makes it special and really just a wonderful fairytale.
Sometimes you need a movie that challenges your imagination instead of creating one for you, and this is it. Children can visualise their own wishes and ideas about what they would do if they came across a sand fairy. So yes it may not have the "blockbuster" title attached to it but that does not make it a bad movie. Instead it makes it special and really just a wonderful fairytale.
Mildly entertaining story...
dwpollar29 October 2006
1st watched 10/29/2006 - 4 out of 10(Dir-John Stephenson): Mildly entertaining story of a group of five kids who are forced to live with their eccentric uncle while their father and mother fight & work in World War I as England entered the war. They are told not to go in the greenhouse of the uncle's mansion, which of course they do over and over, and they discover a sand fairy who them daily wishes that only last until the sun goes down. This is the "IT" referred to in the title, created by the Jim Henson group and voiced by Eddie Izzard. The problem is their wishes usually bring about other problems that they are supposed to learn from. This part of the movie is not done very well because it's obvious the children, primarily the Freddie Highmore character, do not learn from them but instead keep going back to "it" to solve their next big problem. "IT" is not nearly as funny as it could have been with the comedian Eddie Izzard really not given much opportunity to improvise and Kenneth Branagh is wasted as the eccentric uncle, although he is the best character. The children are fine as far as their acting abilities but the story probably would have been much better going into the fantasy realm but they did have a human story to tell as well, which probably caused the confusion with the filmmakers. So, all in all, this was an OK film but could have been much better.
For Freddie Highmore fans ONLY...
shneur4 February 2006
This is one of those "family" movies that I can't imagine having much appeal to anyone over about 9. A group of siblings discovers a "sand fairy" (yes, really) conveniently located at the end of a not-so-secret passage at the country home of their eccentric uncle, to which they've been evacuated from the London blitz. ...And there you have it, all in one sentence. The story is about the role of magic in childhood and the danger of getting wishes fulfilled, but neither of these issues is examined in a way that would be interesting to adults or instructive to children (or vice versa!). The only reason I can think of for watching this is to see how starkly Freddie Highmore's outstanding talent stands out from the rest of the mediocre performances.
Too Many Children and It
BakuryuuTyranno9 April 2012
While watching this, I was only watching because some manner of dinosaurian critter summoned by a wish appearing in the commercial, and I will watch pretty much anything featuring dinosaurs.
I knew that would be a tiny amount of the actual film and would've changed the channel afterwards, but I was entertained by the appearance of the crazy family the kids stay with - both parents being generally oblivious to ridiculous extremes while the cousin is about the closest thing to an antagonist, although it seems he really isn't all that prominent in the film.
Despite very odd and generally funny things happening there were some somewhat sad moments, and later heartwarming moments.
Actually I can't say much about this film because with comedies they're either funny or not; personally therefore I usually have difficulty finding much I can talk about (beyond maybe quoting jokes and such but that seems a bad idea considering the humor is usually best viewed in the film's context).
I knew that would be a tiny amount of the actual film and would've changed the channel afterwards, but I was entertained by the appearance of the crazy family the kids stay with - both parents being generally oblivious to ridiculous extremes while the cousin is about the closest thing to an antagonist, although it seems he really isn't all that prominent in the film.
Despite very odd and generally funny things happening there were some somewhat sad moments, and later heartwarming moments.
Actually I can't say much about this film because with comedies they're either funny or not; personally therefore I usually have difficulty finding much I can talk about (beyond maybe quoting jokes and such but that seems a bad idea considering the humor is usually best viewed in the film's context).
Narnia meets ET in uninspiring, snobby kids' flick
LunarPoise17 March 2009
The Great War breaks out and Daddy is a brave pilot who goes off to carry out some unsightly business to put Jerry in his place. Mummy is doing her bit as a nurse, so the five children are evacuated to their barmy uncle in the country, where a secret passageway takes them to a mischievous sand fairy and the beginning of a magical adventure.
Based on a book written the best part of a century ago, they don't make stories like this anymore. And there's a reason. The men fly planes and author books; the women change bandages and clean house. The boys lead the way with their compasses and nighttime furloughs; the girls do what they are told and play violin - badly. Fat kids who wear specs are nasty. All the kids speak in those clipped, vowel-flattening accents that are soppy and prim but which a certain economic class of English people cultivate. On top of the snobbery and yearning for Imperial Albion, there are plot holes a five-year-old would not tolerate. I mean that literally - my son was asking why the father disappeared before sunset, why the compass didn't just drop from his hand as he disappeared. The film at least tries to aim strictly for the kids, until a completely inappropriate and unfunny monologue by Eddie Izzard (what a waste of genuine comic talent) plays over the final credits.
No doubt the five percent of British schoolkids who go to expensive public schools in the UK will find it all such a jolly wheeze. For the other 95 percent of British families who no longer live in the 19th century, the good news is Wall-E, Ratatouille and Wallace and Gromit are all out on DVD.
Based on a book written the best part of a century ago, they don't make stories like this anymore. And there's a reason. The men fly planes and author books; the women change bandages and clean house. The boys lead the way with their compasses and nighttime furloughs; the girls do what they are told and play violin - badly. Fat kids who wear specs are nasty. All the kids speak in those clipped, vowel-flattening accents that are soppy and prim but which a certain economic class of English people cultivate. On top of the snobbery and yearning for Imperial Albion, there are plot holes a five-year-old would not tolerate. I mean that literally - my son was asking why the father disappeared before sunset, why the compass didn't just drop from his hand as he disappeared. The film at least tries to aim strictly for the kids, until a completely inappropriate and unfunny monologue by Eddie Izzard (what a waste of genuine comic talent) plays over the final credits.
No doubt the five percent of British schoolkids who go to expensive public schools in the UK will find it all such a jolly wheeze. For the other 95 percent of British families who no longer live in the 19th century, the good news is Wall-E, Ratatouille and Wallace and Gromit are all out on DVD.
what a stupid scenario'
EasternMafia17 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I will repeat - what a stupid scenario.
Is there anything new inside? I don't know who have wrote this. But i believe this guy have watch all Hollywood -children -family -teens movies ever made... all scenes and dilouges u can see in everywhere. Why do u people making this movies? children's like an adults? they like money gold cars... and they are positives? they have lucky... and emotions of course... without it can be done. o the young Actors - wow :-). I do like when is camera concentrated on their nice faces? what a crap... there is 90% better children movies that this one! This is not creative or funny movie. This is simply nothing.
D.
Is there anything new inside? I don't know who have wrote this. But i believe this guy have watch all Hollywood -children -family -teens movies ever made... all scenes and dilouges u can see in everywhere. Why do u people making this movies? children's like an adults? they like money gold cars... and they are positives? they have lucky... and emotions of course... without it can be done. o the young Actors - wow :-). I do like when is camera concentrated on their nice faces? what a crap... there is 90% better children movies that this one! This is not creative or funny movie. This is simply nothing.
D.
Careful what you wish for
Lejink4 September 2017
I like to read classic children's fiction and finished E Nisbett's book not long before watching this most recent adaptation of the fantasy story. The film was pleasant enough without ever convincing me I was watching a true classic movie for children.
Watching it, you'll be reminded a little of "The Railway Children" with the evacuated children missing their father who's away fighting the First World War, whilst horrible cousin Horace is greatly reminiscent of the Dursley boy in Harry Potter and of course the daily wish routine recalls "Aladdin", as indeed does Eddie Izzard's Robin Williams-type takeover of the sand-fairy character.
Although Jim Henson's studio do a good job of animating "It", I didn't feel that Eddie Izzard's voice matched up to the character. Special effects were okay, like the multiple duplication of the children over the first wish and later when the children sprout wings, but without ever really astonishing the viewer as they might have..
The children all acted well enough especially the youngster playing daddy's boy Robert while Kenneth Branagh gets to bluster a lot and Zoe Wannamaker simper a lot as the children's bumptious uncle and supportive maid respectively.
The screenplay only occasionally meets up with the novel and I didn't like the odd touch of modern vulgarity and use of expressions recognisable from today either.
I certainly got more from the parent book than this film, which might have had something to do with my imaginings of the sand-fairy's depiction not being reached and that the shots of rural England failed to transport me back as I'd have wished.
Overall, for me the film's sly updating of the story for modern audiences let down the innocent charm of the book.
Watching it, you'll be reminded a little of "The Railway Children" with the evacuated children missing their father who's away fighting the First World War, whilst horrible cousin Horace is greatly reminiscent of the Dursley boy in Harry Potter and of course the daily wish routine recalls "Aladdin", as indeed does Eddie Izzard's Robin Williams-type takeover of the sand-fairy character.
Although Jim Henson's studio do a good job of animating "It", I didn't feel that Eddie Izzard's voice matched up to the character. Special effects were okay, like the multiple duplication of the children over the first wish and later when the children sprout wings, but without ever really astonishing the viewer as they might have..
The children all acted well enough especially the youngster playing daddy's boy Robert while Kenneth Branagh gets to bluster a lot and Zoe Wannamaker simper a lot as the children's bumptious uncle and supportive maid respectively.
The screenplay only occasionally meets up with the novel and I didn't like the odd touch of modern vulgarity and use of expressions recognisable from today either.
I certainly got more from the parent book than this film, which might have had something to do with my imaginings of the sand-fairy's depiction not being reached and that the shots of rural England failed to transport me back as I'd have wished.
Overall, for me the film's sly updating of the story for modern audiences let down the innocent charm of the book.
A British Family Film Like they used to make (but with modern FX)
boldlygone27 October 2004
I found this film utterly charming. I had to almost force my daughter to see it (she wanted to see The Princess Diaries 2 (shivers!!!!). But once the children found the Wishasuraus she was transfixed.
It is a film very much of British and of the Railway Children type. and will sadly be missed by many because of the Steam Roller Hype of Shark Tale. But this is a real FAMILY film.
The beginning has a distinct Harry Potter feel to it, The theme tune is clearly influenced by HP. Kenneth Branagh is the quintessential English Eccentric but unlike the Hollywood stereotype this is a British film that has it's tongue firmly in cheek. Zoe Wannamaker as the caring housekeeper who knows more that she lets on is wonderful.
Eddie Izzard as the voice of the Sand Fairy is perfect.
This is as British as Brighton Rock and Whelks in a tray at the sea side. And I loved it.
It is a film very much of British and of the Railway Children type. and will sadly be missed by many because of the Steam Roller Hype of Shark Tale. But this is a real FAMILY film.
The beginning has a distinct Harry Potter feel to it, The theme tune is clearly influenced by HP. Kenneth Branagh is the quintessential English Eccentric but unlike the Hollywood stereotype this is a British film that has it's tongue firmly in cheek. Zoe Wannamaker as the caring housekeeper who knows more that she lets on is wonderful.
Eddie Izzard as the voice of the Sand Fairy is perfect.
This is as British as Brighton Rock and Whelks in a tray at the sea side. And I loved it.
Wonderful sweet movie for all ages
sam83828 August 2005
This is a wonderfully sweet, innocent movie that parents and children alike will enjoy. This is a movie that brings us back to our childhood and the dreams and fantasies that were part of the innocence of children and of believing in the impossible. The five children in this movie are sweet and caring siblings - not argumentative and spoiled children, but siblings who clearly love one another.
The idea that make believe can come true is refreshing. Clearly this is a movie about love, hope and dreams. Freddie Hightower, the young star of Neverland, is just as good in this movie. He is joined in his acting ability by 5 other young actors, as well as the wonderful Zoe Wanamaker and Kenneth Branaugh - all of whom are wonderful.
The scenery is wonderful - the England coastline. This is one of those movies they don't make enough of - it leaves you smiling when you finish the movie.
The idea that make believe can come true is refreshing. Clearly this is a movie about love, hope and dreams. Freddie Hightower, the young star of Neverland, is just as good in this movie. He is joined in his acting ability by 5 other young actors, as well as the wonderful Zoe Wanamaker and Kenneth Branaugh - all of whom are wonderful.
The scenery is wonderful - the England coastline. This is one of those movies they don't make enough of - it leaves you smiling when you finish the movie.
A strange creature is discovered on the beach
chris_gaskin12327 October 2005
I remember the TV series of 5 Children and It and enjoyed that and I enjoyed the movie version just as much.
During World War 1, five brothers and sisters are evacuated to their Uncle's creepy mansion where they make a very strange discovery. They come across a sand fairy that can grant wishes, but these only last until sunset. The children's' wishes include flying, having loads of gold and, best of all, a T-Rex which was wished by the Uncle's mad scientist young son after he had kidnapped the sand fairly to experiment on. The five children then return the sand fairly back to his lair and say goodbye to him at the end after their dad returns from war duty and is OK.
This is an excellent movie, great special effects and quite creepy at time too. Although this has a universal rating, some scenes including the T-Rex may be a little scary for really young viewers.
An excellent cast which includes: Johnaton Baily, Freddie Highmore, Tars Fitzgerald, Alex Jennings and well known British stars Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker and veteran comic Norman Wisdom in a cameo. With Eddie Izzard as the voice of It.
5 Children and It is essential viewing if you get the chance. Excellent.
Rating: 4 and a half stars out of 5.
During World War 1, five brothers and sisters are evacuated to their Uncle's creepy mansion where they make a very strange discovery. They come across a sand fairy that can grant wishes, but these only last until sunset. The children's' wishes include flying, having loads of gold and, best of all, a T-Rex which was wished by the Uncle's mad scientist young son after he had kidnapped the sand fairly to experiment on. The five children then return the sand fairly back to his lair and say goodbye to him at the end after their dad returns from war duty and is OK.
This is an excellent movie, great special effects and quite creepy at time too. Although this has a universal rating, some scenes including the T-Rex may be a little scary for really young viewers.
An excellent cast which includes: Johnaton Baily, Freddie Highmore, Tars Fitzgerald, Alex Jennings and well known British stars Kenneth Branagh, Zoe Wanamaker and veteran comic Norman Wisdom in a cameo. With Eddie Izzard as the voice of It.
5 Children and It is essential viewing if you get the chance. Excellent.
Rating: 4 and a half stars out of 5.
Enchanting Fairy Tale...better than most
Robert_duder6 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I had never heard of the unique "Five Children and It" before it was recommended to me. It had the look and style of Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket films and looked interesting enough. Considering top billing went to twelve year old Freddy Highmore of Finding Neverland, it wasn't exactly a star studded affair. Nonetheless the story is a beautiful little fair tale more for kids but very entertaining...more so in fact than Lemony Snicket which I thought was just averagely done.
Five Children and It is the story of five brothers and sisters who are sent to live with their eccentric mathematician Uncle when their father is stationed in France during WWII. The children are treated to an enormous castle and given the guided tour by the mysteriously protective housekeeper Martha. Despite his caring ways, the almost crazy Uncle Albert insists the children keep a tight ship, cleaning and carrying out a huge list of chores. The only rule they are given above all others is to stay out of the greenhouse. Young Robert, a strong willed, rebellious boy quickly finds his way to the greenhouse and goes inside and then convinces his brother and sisters to join him. They find a door which leads to them an unchartered beautiful beach where it doesn't rain and everything is calm and peaceful. Robert then accidentally discovers a shell and inside the shell is a very mysterious creature. He is a sand fair...It...as the children call him and he has the ability to grant one wish to one person per day. Through his wishes however he tends to teach a lesson by how and what they wish for. The children immediately wish their chores to be done which ends in disaster, and with each day that passes they learn to be more careful about their wishes. More than anything else what is important to them is their father returning safely from war and when he goes missing, they must choose their wish wisely to bring him home safely. And when the safety of the sand fairy becomes an issue the children pull together to save him from disaster.
I thought that Sand Fairy who is by far the most amusing character in the film was underused quite a bit. Eddie Izzard performs as his voice and he's very funny and although the sand fairy is a little irritable he cares for the children and becomes endearing. The only child of the five of them who gets any significant screen time is Freddie Highmore who is becoming quite the actor with his breakthrough roles. Kenneth Braghn plays a great character in Uncle Albert. He obviously has no parenting skills but does the best he knows. His role was still better than Carey's in Lemony Snicket. Children will love this film, it's a great adventure without ever leaving the castle and at the same time has some great morals and lessons with the necessary laughs that children will love. The Sand Fairy is wonderful and kids will love him. With director John Stephenson at the helm who has worked with Jim Henson's creature shop for a long time, he knows what makes a great monster. Definitely check this out with your kids...maybe even on your own, it's a great little family film not to disappoint. Shout out to Deb who recommended this one...and I didn't even have to pay to watch it YEAH!! 8/10
Five Children and It is the story of five brothers and sisters who are sent to live with their eccentric mathematician Uncle when their father is stationed in France during WWII. The children are treated to an enormous castle and given the guided tour by the mysteriously protective housekeeper Martha. Despite his caring ways, the almost crazy Uncle Albert insists the children keep a tight ship, cleaning and carrying out a huge list of chores. The only rule they are given above all others is to stay out of the greenhouse. Young Robert, a strong willed, rebellious boy quickly finds his way to the greenhouse and goes inside and then convinces his brother and sisters to join him. They find a door which leads to them an unchartered beautiful beach where it doesn't rain and everything is calm and peaceful. Robert then accidentally discovers a shell and inside the shell is a very mysterious creature. He is a sand fair...It...as the children call him and he has the ability to grant one wish to one person per day. Through his wishes however he tends to teach a lesson by how and what they wish for. The children immediately wish their chores to be done which ends in disaster, and with each day that passes they learn to be more careful about their wishes. More than anything else what is important to them is their father returning safely from war and when he goes missing, they must choose their wish wisely to bring him home safely. And when the safety of the sand fairy becomes an issue the children pull together to save him from disaster.
I thought that Sand Fairy who is by far the most amusing character in the film was underused quite a bit. Eddie Izzard performs as his voice and he's very funny and although the sand fairy is a little irritable he cares for the children and becomes endearing. The only child of the five of them who gets any significant screen time is Freddie Highmore who is becoming quite the actor with his breakthrough roles. Kenneth Braghn plays a great character in Uncle Albert. He obviously has no parenting skills but does the best he knows. His role was still better than Carey's in Lemony Snicket. Children will love this film, it's a great adventure without ever leaving the castle and at the same time has some great morals and lessons with the necessary laughs that children will love. The Sand Fairy is wonderful and kids will love him. With director John Stephenson at the helm who has worked with Jim Henson's creature shop for a long time, he knows what makes a great monster. Definitely check this out with your kids...maybe even on your own, it's a great little family film not to disappoint. Shout out to Deb who recommended this one...and I didn't even have to pay to watch it YEAH!! 8/10
A good family film
neil-4767 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Edith Nesbit is best known for writing The Railway Children: Five Children And It has a much lower profile. But this story of five children relocated to the seaside, where they encounter a creature with magical powers, shares many similarities with The Railway Children in terms of story dynamics and emotional heart (displaced children, absent father etc.).
This is a good adaptation. The children, headed by the excellent Feddie Highmore, are all very good. The sense of time and location are well realised, the adult support is solid, and the Psammead is a good mix of puppetry and CGI. The effects are not bad albeit often obviously effects: however, this sense of non-reality suits the story quite well.
My only reservation concerns the script, where the Psammead itself (well, if idiosynscratically, voiced by Eddie Izzard) is often resolutely contemporary in its turn of phrase. This is a small quibble because it is always entertaining.
This is an excellent film for family enjoyment.
This is a good adaptation. The children, headed by the excellent Feddie Highmore, are all very good. The sense of time and location are well realised, the adult support is solid, and the Psammead is a good mix of puppetry and CGI. The effects are not bad albeit often obviously effects: however, this sense of non-reality suits the story quite well.
My only reservation concerns the script, where the Psammead itself (well, if idiosynscratically, voiced by Eddie Izzard) is often resolutely contemporary in its turn of phrase. This is a small quibble because it is always entertaining.
This is an excellent film for family enjoyment.
Five children spend a rainy summer with a crazy uncle,and discover a door to another world
gcmoss1615 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I am a big fan of Roald Dahl and CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. In terms of the spirit of adventure and fantasy and of the children out-witting the adults it reminded me a lot of that. It is mercifully brief and the dialogue is highly amusing and surprising. Kenneth Branagh is hilarious as the dotty and self absorbed math professor. I found myself laughing so hard at some lines I had to back up to pick up the dialogue again. Eddie Izzard is "hip and irreverent" as "IT". His voice stylizations reminded me very much of Robin Williams. It is a delightful family movie that will be enjoyed by kids and adults. Even little kids should not be scared (by much)and older kids will like the sassy sand fairy voiced by Eddie Izzard. I have two boys 11 and 14 and they liked it.
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