Search - From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler on DVD

Fine book and a Fine film!!

AbeStreet | Mayfield Heights, OH United States | 11/03/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I, as most of the other reviewers, began with the book as a child and saw the film later. This was one of my favorite books as a child and I remember the film THE HIDEAWAYS that was made 30 years ago. I loved the book and the THE HIDEAWAYS was okay, although it has some noticeable changes from the book. When I purchased this more modern version of the book I did not think I would enjoy a more contempory version of the story. I was wrong! Sure there are some changes from the book but not enough to alter the story line greatly. What I really enjoyed were the characters. Lauren Bacall did a very good job in her role as Mrs. Frankweiler, as did Jean Marie Barnwell in the role of Claudia and Jesse Lee in the role of Jamie.So, while there are some changes as others have noted, this film still maintains the best elements of the book. I only wish more films adhered to the books from which their story was taken. Also, this story stands up over time. My 9 & 7 year old son & daughter enjoy this story as much as I did and still do."

A Wonderfully Executed Movie of E.L. Konigsberg's Novel

AbeStreet | 05/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I adored E.L. Konigsberg's novel, "From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler," and I was overjoyed when I found this video in my local library. There were some changes here and there, but nothing truly major. Lauren Bacall was positively fabulous. 2 Thumbs Up! (I'd give more, but I don't have any)."

An OURSTANDING movie!

martha.eckhart@wiesbaden.netsurf.de | 08/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I read this book when I was in 5th grade and I adored it. I was so excited when I found the movie and it was great too. Great job!"

Decent adaptation for a TV movie.

Robert P. Beveridge | Cleveland, OH | 06/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Marcus Cole, 1995)While doing the research on this film, I discovered that there have actually been two film versions of E. L. Konigsburg's delightful novel, with this one being the more recent. Most reviewers seem to prefer the 1973 version. Maybe they're right. But not having seen it, I have to say I liked this one well enough as a trip down memory lane.Veteran TV director Cole (Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder) directs from Betty Goldberg (Trapper John, M.D.)'s script. Cole casts Lauren Bacall as the mysterious and un-first-named Mrs. Basil, Jean Marie Barnwell (Angie) as Claudia, and Jesse Lee (Bobby of the newer Brady Bunch stuff) as Claudia's brother Jamie. The story, for those of you who have been living under a rock for thirty years: Claudia feels neglected at home and wants to run away. She enlists the help (and money) of younger brother Jamie. The two of them, through a series of minor misadventures, end up hiding in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, where Claudia becomes obsessed with a mysterious angel statue that may or may not have been carved by Michelangelo, and she sets about authenticating the piece.Really, it's about what one would expect from a TV movie, in terms of direction, acting, etc. Nothing here that's going to win any awards. But who cares? For those of us who loved the novel, there's enough of it here to jog your memory (and hopefully you won't be too bogged down by the piece of it that mysteriously vanish). *** ½"