The Borrowers (1997)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Peter Hewitt

Writers (WGA):

Mary Norton (novels)
Gavin Scott (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

13 February 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

The screen's smallest heroes in the year's biggest adventure.

Plot:

The Borrowers are four-inch high "little people" who live under the floorboards. When the owner of the...

Plot Keywords:

Little People | Lawyer | Slapstick Comedy | Last Will And Testament | Family Relationships

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

John Goodman	...	Ocious P. Potter
Mark Williams	...	Exterminator Jeff
Jim Broadbent	...	Pod Clock
Celia Imrie	...	Homily Clock
Flora Newbigin	...	Arrietty 'Ett' Clock
Tom Felton	...	Peagreen Clock
Raymond Pickard	...	Spud Spiller
Bradley Pierce	...	Pete 'Petey' Lender
Aden Gillett	...	Joe Lender
Doon Mackichan	...	Victoria Lender
Hugh Laurie	...	Police Officer Steady
Ruby Wax	...	Town Hall Clerk
Andrew Dunford	...	Dustbunny
Bob Goody	...	Minty Branch
Patrick Monckton	...	Swag (as Patrick Monkton)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild peril and some crude humor.

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

South Korea:All | UK:U (tv rating) | Netherlands:6 (re-rating) | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 (bw) | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL (original rating) | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG (certificate #35227) | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Ealing Town Hall, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

Polygram Filmed Entertainment

Trivia:

When Arietty is in Pete's room, the plastic figure she knocks down is 'Little Bear' from The Indian in the Cupboard (1995).

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: The film is set in a kind of 1940s present day, which is why there are several modern objects in the otherwise retro world.

Quotes:

Pod Clock: We may be small but heaven help anyone who thinks he might squish us.

Movie Connections:

References Batman (1989)

Soundtrack:

Weird

Not as bad as others make out.

I, for one, very much enjoyed this movie, so much so, that I even purchased it on DVD. Of course, I'm a big fan of British Comedy and Sci-Fi, and always enjoy any opportunity to see the work of Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams. This was the first time I'd seen anything with Jim Broadbent, but went on to watch some of his other work, and have grown to appreciate him, as well. Ruby Wax was charming, and I'd like to see more of Flora Newbigin, however, it appears she isn't doing much in the industry, except for an appearance in one episode "Holby City."

I find this movie charming in it's escapism. Sure, it mixes times and cities, making it impossible to identify where and when it takes place, but does it even have to be anywhere on Earth? It's fantasy, and I found it entertaining.