i notice that the previous reviewer ( who appear to be still at school ) give this movie a very good review and i can only assume that this be because the reviewer hasn not see the far superior 1989 bbc adaptation of this classic novel . the major problem i have with this ( 1999 ) version be the casting of anthony way a tom long . anthony way be a talented boy treble who shoot to fame after appear in the tv mini series the choir . i can only assume that he be cast for the role of tom long on the strength of his excellent acting in the choir . unfortunately the small boy who appear in the choir have grow into a tall and gangly youth by the time tom midnight garden be film and a such anthony fails to convince a schoolboy tom . it be too far a stretch of the imagination to believe that tom ( a play by anthony ) would befriend the far young hatty . in the 1989 bbc version tom and hatty be much closer in age and the development of their friendship be so much more believable . for a 1999 movie even the special effect fail to convince and be not any noticeable improvement on the 1989 tv effect . the casting and acting of this version be inferior to the early adaptation and all in all the movie be a lack lustre version of a true classic . a a final observation i would point out that the vhs of the 1989 bbc version fetch well over £20 . 00 second hand whereas a new dvd of this version can be buy for under £5 . 00 and need i say more .