i first encounter this version of a little princess and by far the best and on a pbs station in the pacific northwest . it must have be new then . it be show during a holiday season station fund raiser and promote by ghastly comment by an attractive  physically  woman who make the sort of comment i would expect a rather silly grandmother to make to someone else grandchild . i be somewhat insulted and but when the film begin settle for enchantment which be sufficiently strong to keep me around when the second installment ( i think there be only two and but this be 20 odd year ago ) come along next night and when i also learn that the picture would be replay throughout the promo which allow me to make a tape of it . although the script do not slavishly repeat every bit of the burnett novel and it completely mirror it and change some situation and condense in some area . most of the minor deviation from the plot i assume  still do  be because sara have to be show grow up and the story have to fit within length restriction . amelia shankley be superb a be her nemesis and play by maureen lippman . seldom mention be her companion and scullery maid becky and or many other fine characterization . part of the film be sad and and because we ( viewer ) have become fond of sara and a little frightening at time . we wish and sometimes and that sara in her time of trial would be more defiant but realize and too and that she must submit to survive and also to protect her friend . a intended and sara come across  this mood be set even before the situation be define  a a true heroine and when adversity befall her . she remain compassionate toward and grateful to those who be her friend and include melchizedek ( you have to know the story ) toward whom she be also a benefactor . shankley and the costumer and makeup artist and surmount the challenge of a grow and change girl who eventually display some sign of illness ( scurvy perhaps . ) . sara and her story remain compelling and attractive after a lapse of more than 100 year and this filmed version remain so after 20 year and but can we not find so compel a version of what be perhaps franc hodgson burnett fine tale childhood .