A Little Princess

1995
G
1h 37m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

37K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:49

Sara is sent to a strict boarding school after her father enlists in WWI. When he is presumed dead, the headmistress, knowing she will not receive any more money, forces the girl to become a... Read allSara is sent to a strict boarding school after her father enlists in WWI. When he is presumed dead, the headmistress, knowing she will not receive any more money, forces the girl to become a servant.Sara is sent to a strict boarding school after her father enlists in WWI. When he is presumed dead, the headmistress, knowing she will not receive any more money, forces the girl to become a servant.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

37K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

3,036

158

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 3 wins & 10 nominations total

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Trailer 2:49

Watch A Little Princess

Trailer 1:55

Watch A Little Princess

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Like the character she played, Liesel Matthews (Sara) came from a wealthy background. Matthews (whose actual name was Liesel Pritzker) is a grandchild of wealthy industrialist A. N. Pritzker and a niece of Jay Pritzker, who founded the Hyatt Hotel chain. After a family dispute and lawsuit in her early twenties, Liesel received about $500 million of her family's fortune. She subsequently became a philanthropist in, among other places, India (a country that her character Sara loved as well) and created several educational and development charities.

Goofs
There are many latex balloons as decorations at Sara Crewe's birthday party in 1914 or 1915. However, the modern balloon that we see pictured in the film was not invented until 1931.

Quotes
Miss Minchin: [after ordering the girls out and punishing Becky, to Sara] And you will perform all her chores in addition to your own without breakfast, lunch, OR dinner! It's time you learn, Sara Crewe, that real life has nothing to do with your little fantasy games. It's a cruel, nasty world out there, and it's our duty to make the best of it - not to indulge in ridiculous *dreams*, but to be productive and useful! Do you understand what I'm saying?
Sara Crewe: [short pause] Yes, ma'am.
Miss Minchin: [short pause] Good.
[she leaves]
Sara Crewe: But I don't believe in it.
[Miss Minchin stops, turns back to Sara, and goes awestruck]
Miss Minchin: Don't tell me you still fancy yourself a princess!
[laughs]
Miss Minchin: Good God, child, look around you! Or better yet, look in the mirror!
[after a long pause]
Sara Crewe: [confidently] I am a princess.
Miss Minchin: [in disbelief] Oh!
Sara Crewe: All girls are! Even if they live in tiny old attics, even if they dress in rags, even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young, they're still princesses - *all* of us! Didn't *your* father ever tell you that? Didn't he?
Miss Minchin: [furiously, in tears] If I find you up here with any of the girls again, I WILL THROW YOU OUT INTO THE STREET!

Alternate versions
The digital platforms featured the 2003 Warner Bros. Family Entertainment logo with the 1998 fanfare while the another closing Warner Bros. logo, also from 2003, appears after the credits.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Crimson Tide/A Little Princess/The Perez Family/The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill/Swimming with Sharks (1995)

Soundtracks
Kindle My Heart
Written by Maggie Smith
Produced by Maggie Smith
Performed by Liesel Matthews
Courtesy of Sony Records

User reviews146

Review

Featured review

A both heartfelt and entertaining story for all ages; it's impossible to not like this movie!

This movie is a must-see for every little girl as well as anyone who still believes in fairy tales. The heartwarming story of Sara Crew and her faith in spite of all odds is enough to melt even the coldest of hearts. This movie tells the story the way it really was in the novel-- unlike the Shirley Temple-sugar-coated ridiculously inaccurate version. The whole family can watch this and enjoy it because there's a little something for everyone. Although there are a few flaws to it (such as ludicrous near-death escapes that only could be believed in fairy tales; besides events that weren't even in the book), the good definitely outweighs the bad and this is an excellent addition to any collection!