Pollyanna

Starring: Amanda Burton, Kenneth Cranham Director: Sarah Harding Original UK Premiere: 2003 Dvd Release: 17th February, 2003 Number Of Discs: 1 Format: PAL, Region 2 Encoding

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Pollyanna is a novel by Eleanor H Porter which was first published in 1913 & which has become a classic of childrens literature. The book is about a girl, Pollyanna, who goes to live with her Aunt Polly & soon brightens up the town. Pollyanna has been filmed several times. Most notably, there was a 1920 silent movie starring Mary Pickford & a Walt Disney film released in 1960 starring English actress Hayley Mills in the title role. Also, there have been several TV adaptations, the most recent one, originally broadcast on ITV, starring Georgina Terry in the title role & Amanda Burton as Aunt Polly. Because of the movie, pollyanna is now used as a somewhat derogatory term for a naïve person who always expects people to act decently, despite strong evidence to the contrary.

Remakes are often not as good as the original, this is one of the exceptions to the rule. Where the original Hayley Mills version was a little sickly sweet this newer version is much more real feeling, quaint rather than sickly & ultimately creates a more moving tale.

Amanda Burton was an inspired choice as Aunt Polly; she's brilliant, & it's amazing to see the subtle changes she adds to her character as Pollyanna gradually gets her to break the stiff composure she normally holds.

There are several laugh-out-loud moments. And having a wonderful support cast including Pam Ferris & Kenneth Cranham just adds to the quality overall.

The manner in which Pollyanna has her accident happens in a much more believable & poignant way than the original version. And it ties in neatly with a sub-story between two of the other characters. The ending is also fitting, with a nice twist.

The costumes, & atmosphere of the production are beautiful, the acting fantastic, the storytelling of the highest order; all transfered to DVD in crystal clear quality, & can be enjoyed by all the family. I challenge you not to shed a tear or two as well!

Amanda Burton is an actor best known for her role as forensic pathologist Doctor Sam Ryan in the BBC crime drama series Silent Witness. She left the series in 2004, saying that she did not want to be forever associated with it. Burton was born in Balloughry, Co Derry, a Protestant area of Northern Ireland, as the youngest of four daughters of a primary school headmaster. Some of her notable television appearances include Brookside & Peak Practice. After Silent Witness, Burton also took on the role of Prosecutor Helen West in a series based on Frances Fyfield s novels. She also played Aunt Polly in a 2003 remake of Pollyanna. Amanda Burtons first marriage was to Jonathan Hartley. Since 1989 she has been married to photographer Sven Arnstein. The couple have two children - Phoebe & Brid - & live in London. Amanda Burton at the Internet Movie Database.

Editors Choice: Pollyanna, Peak Practice, Lynda La Plante, View DVDology

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