MovieChat Forums > Madeline (1998) Discussion > this movie is NOT for very young childre...

this movie is NOT for very young children

posted 15 years ago by wendytech-2
21 replies | jump to latest

I'm the mother of a three-year old who loves the Madeline books and cartoons based on the books. This film is NOT for a small child. Events, such as Madeline going to the hospital in an ambulance or falling in a river, that are mildly frightening in the books are TERRIFYING in this movie. My little girl was in tears. The movie diverged terribly from the plot lines of the book--Madeine's parents are very much alive in the books, but they've been killed off in this film, without explanation--and Pepito is just a devil in this movie. Of course I don't expect a movie to follow the books page by page, but anyone who loves the books or even the TV series inspired by the books should steer well clear of this film.

One more thing: the lady whose mother founded the school is in the hospital with Madeline. I thought that was interesting. But in the next scene we learn she has passed away. NO explanation, nothing. NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

[–] Goldlionsfire 15 years ago

You're reading too much into this. I watched this when I was 7 & I didn't even notice these details.

[–] Stainz2 15 years ago

Hmm, my 3 year old daughter loves the film. But she has been to hospital and has fallen down a few times. And as far as Lady Covington passing away, my daughter has a handle on death, having watched her grandmother quietly pass away in hospice.

So maybe it depends on the child?

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] yum-yum_is_my_heroine 15 years ago

My cousin (who was 6 when she first saw "Madeline") cried when Madeline and Pepito were trapped but wasn't bothered by anything else, but I wouldn't recommend this film to very little kids

[–] lamour_vanity 15 years ago

I watched this movie when I was about 6, and nothing in it bothered me. Your looking way too into this, it's not as bad as you make it out to be, maybe you should have explained things like death and such to your child before letting her watch the movie, so it's not the movies fault that she was scared, you should have explained things to her, my mother did, and I turned out fine.

Will Turner: You cheated.
Jack Sparrow: Pirate.

[–] Harvey-Jingley 15 years ago

The original poster writes: The movie diverged terribly from the plot lines of the book--Madeine's parents are very much alive in the books, but they've been killed off in this film, without explanation

???

I am pretty much sure it is NOT clear in the books if Madeline is an orphan or not -- I assumed her to be, for some reason.

I only have three of the books though.

For what it is worth I watch this with a two-and-a-half year old (not all the way through -- just as far as Pepito and his firecrackers -- that is usually enough before her interest wanes). We watch it because she loves the books -- and she is enthralled by the movie -- she often requests it.

[–] Harvey-Jingley 15 years ago

to possibly correct my earlier post.

Another poster on another thread here says Madeline´s parents are alive in the Christmas book.

I only have Madeline, Madeline´s Rescue and Madeline in London.

If they killed off Madeline´s parents in the movie it was to make the relationship between Madeline and Miss Clavel stronger, I suppose.

Take care, everybody.

[–] Catdubh 14 years ago

If they killed off Madeline´s parents in the movie it was to make the relationship between Madeline and Miss Clavel stronger, I suppose.

That's simply incorrect. Madeline was written by Ludwig Bemelmans, and he wrote Madeline's character as an orphan.

I know Bemelmans' grandson has continued to add writings to the series. Perhaps he published a "Madeline" book where her parents were once alive. I am not sure why he would do so but it is possible.

What, just for once in your life can't you be serious?

[–] Harvey-Jingley 14 years ago

Cat_Dubh100, Notice I wrote "IF".

I also wrote that I only have Madeline, Madeline´s Rescue and Madeline in London.

But NOWHERE in those three books does it say Madeline is an orphan.

I am not saying she isn´t an orphan but in which book does it say that she IS?

I actually always ASSUMED her to be -- but where is the evidence?

Hmmm?

[–] Catdubh 14 years ago

Touchy, are we? And a PM?

The story, as well as the movie, are absolutely adorable, that’s the overall opinion. If you choose to worry about whether Madeline’s parents were killed, abandoned her, or simply too self absorbed to care, then your days are longer than mine.
Also, I spend a great deal of my time, doing research for remuneration; after your quip, I shant bother with your "evidence".

What, just for once in your life can't you be serious?

[–] Harvey-Jingley 14 years ago

Holy moly.

I was just wondering what you were talking about is all.

Reading the three books I have -- it doesn´t say ANYTHING about Madeline´s parents at all.

You seem to have misread my comments.

Good luck with your research.

[–] Harvey-Jingley 14 years ago

Some Research

Seems my Madeline book (the first I mean) is abridged slightly -- and I am missing the line (among others) about “the dollhouse from Papa”.

So it seems originally at least Madeline was meant just to be at a boarding school, sent by her parents (at least father) – and was not meant to be an orphan.

This is the “visiting the hospital part” from the original 1939 Madeline:

VISITORS FROM TWO TO FOUR
read a sign outside her door.
Tiptoeing with solemn face,
with some flowers and a vase,
in they walked and then said, "Ahhh,"
when they saw the toys and candy
and the dollhouse from Papa.
But the biggest surprise by far-
on her stomach
was a scar!
"Good-by," they said, "we'll come again,"
and the little girls left in the rain.

http://public.clunet.edu/~crowe/Reading/lessons/madeline.html

Take care, all Madeline lovers!

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AngieeeBabayy 15 years ago

lol I was four and I loved this movie.
Certainly wasn't frightening for me.

Beware the old guy chewing gum... it's not gum.

[–] D2datt 14 years ago

I was 7 when I saw this movie and it didn’t phase me at all. I wasn’t terrified of the bridge scene, I learned I shouldn’t play near the edges of a bridge or whatever else, or I might fall. If a little girl is in an orphanage or boarding school [and her parents aren’t mentioned in the books] then why is it even important that her parent’s death is explained? The same with the founder in the hospital. She was an old lady, why is she in need of an explanation? Its said in the movie that she’s sick, so there you go- pneumonia, old age, meningitis- pick one, I don’t think that was meant to be a turning point in the film so details weren’t really important. [Its like asking why the daughter from Taken was kidnapped instead of someone else visiting, or why Belle’s [Beauty and The Beast] mom isn’t present in the movie] Pepito was a little *beep* and maybe the reasoning of his parents not being present is a little deep for children but maybe you don’t understand because you’ve got a little girl. Most little boys are little devils, just not all to that extreme.

[–] outoftheboxteaching 14 years ago

Yahuh... I thought it was pretty obvious that you shouldn't take three year olds along assuming that everything for kids is okay for little children. :s

She passed away because she was in the hospital, dying.

http://outoftheboxteaching.com/Forum Are you a teacher?

[–] Florida2 11 years ago

Well, it's a family film - there are some parts for children and some for adults, but Madeline's character is for everyone...

I'm sounding like the story (lol)...

[–] flower-power-11 10 years ago

I disagree. This is a movie for families. Yes, there are those things which you mentioned but they're not so explicit that kids can't watch.