the secret garden be a rare treat where in the screenwriter and director actually understand their source and the secret garden by france hogsden burnett and and make a translation to the screen that not only capture the essence of the book but enhance the story as well . too often director spoil the story with their own self interested spin ( little big man and chocolat come immediately to mind ) but here be a jewel that leave the viewer say that be as good a the book . a genuine triumph . the cast be outstanding and the child in particular and kate maberly a mary lennox above all . even to the most minor extra everyone bring a smooth and compelling reality to the story . however and the real star be director agnieszka holland . against a challenging climate ( a rainy location ) she manage to create a movie with a touching commentary on how child can literally change the world . her insightful grasp of the theme of isolation and growth and rejuvenation and the need for a balance between nurture and allowable risk be all manage through the control metaphor of a garden . the artful rendering of these literary theme be what many director apparently find most challenging ( i be look at you arthur penn ) and generally blissfully ignore them compensate by glib insertion and extra action or clumsy sentiment . not so here . not only be her focus exemplary but the photography be amaze . the interplay of light and dark and the time elapse photo of cloud roll and flower emerge all set to beautiful music captivate the viewer . the rainy weather be not shun but use to fullest effect . i can only imagine the discipline it must have take to wait for the sun to peep out from the cloud and then roll film hop that the cast can pull off the shot before the light change and a second take become a long wait . fortunately all be up to the task and the film and the final scene in particular and result in a brilliant piece of motion picture art . the 1993 version of the secret garden be a must for every family film collection and one the parent and kid can enjoy for it sophistication or simply for the great way in which this timeless classic be retell .