The Secret Garden Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bratty kid finds a garden, heals her sickly cousin, and Colin Firth finally smiles, proving that gardening is cheaper than therapy.

🍿 The Secret Garden: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Orphaned in India, Journey to Yorkshire

Mary Lennox, a neglected and spoiled young girl living in British India, becomes orphaned when her parents succumb to a cholera outbreak. She is sent to England to live with her reclusive uncle, Archibald Craven, at his imposing estate, Misselthwaite Manor, in Yorkshire. The transition is jarring, as Mary is accustomed to servants and luxury, while the manor is a somber and unwelcoming place.

Discovering Misselthwaite’s Secrets

At Misselthwaite Manor, Mary encounters the stern housekeeper, Mrs. Medlock, and explores the vast, lonely grounds. She soon discovers secrets surrounding the manor, including a locked garden and a hidden, ailing cousin, Colin, who believes he is destined to die. Mary’s curiosity and burgeoning independence lead her to seek out the mysteries of the estate.

The Magic of the Garden

With the help of Dickon, a local boy with a connection to nature, Mary finds the key to the secret garden. They begin to revitalize the neglected space, fostering a sense of hope and healing. The garden becomes a sanctuary for the children, where they find solace and begin to nurture their own well-being alongside the plants.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mary Lennox (Dixie Egerickx): A spoiled and neglected orphan who undergoes a transformation upon discovering the secret garden.
• Archibald Craven (Colin Firth): The grieving and reclusive uncle who is haunted by the loss of his wife.
• Colin Craven (Edan Hayhurst): A sickly and isolated boy who finds healing and strength in the secret garden.
• Mrs. Medlock (Julie Walters): The stern and dutiful housekeeper who enforces the rules of Misselthwaite Manor.
• Dickon (Amir Wilson): A nature-loving and kindhearted boy who helps Mary and Colin connect with the garden.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mary: “Do you want to hear a story?” – Mary often asks this when her imagination takes over, highlighting the importance of storytelling and escapism.
• Mary: “What is that?” – Mary asks this question as she stumbles upon the key that will change everything.
• Archibald Craven: “How is it that we are taught by our children?” – Lord Craven marvels at how his son has taught him how to live again after witnessing the power of the garden.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,768,669
• Worldwide Gross: $8,721,243

💥 The Secret Garden Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so, I grew up with ‘The Secret Garden’, and this version is… different. The visuals are amazing, the garden is like something out of a dream. But the story felt a bit rushed, and some of the changes didn’t really work for me. I did love Dixie Egerickx as Mary, though; she really captured that bratty-but-vulnerable thing perfectly. And Colin Firth? Always a win. I just wish they’d stuck closer to the source material.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic literature adaptations”
  • “Families looking for a heartwarming story”
  • “Viewers interested in films with magical realism elements”
  • “Anyone who enjoys stories about healing and friendship”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Grief and loss”
  • “Illness and confinement”
  • “Themes of neglect and emotional distance”
  • “Some potentially scary or intense scenes for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Screen International: “Munden’s ‘The Secret Garden’ leans heavily into the fantastical, making the garden itself a character. While visually stunning, the film loses some of the novel’s grounding in the real world. Firth and Walters provide solid support, but the child actors are the heart of this adaptation.
• The Guardian: “Visually lush, but dramatically inert. The changes to the source material feel unnecessary and the film struggles to find its emotional core. Egerickx gives a committed performance, but the film ultimately lacks the charm and magic of previous adaptations.
• Empire Magazine: “A visually sumptuous take on a well-loved tale, that may not appeal to everyone. This version is a good choice for families who want a visually pleasing escape during these tough times. There is more fantasy elements that will appeal to a younger crowd.

Audience Reactions

The garden is like something out of a dream.: Many viewers loved the beautiful CGI and visual elements.

Dixie Egerickx really captures the character of Mary Lennox.: There is a consensus that the child actors do a good job, especially Dixie.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning but narratively flawed adaptation that may appeal to new audiences but disappoints some fans of the original novel.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is a reimagining of the classic children’s novel, updated with a 1947 setting and a more prominent role for fantasy elements.”
• “Filming locations included Bodnant Garden in Wales, known for its spectacular yellow-flowered Laburnum Arch.”
• “The film utilizes CGI to enhance the magical aspects of the garden and Mary’s imagination, blending it seamlessly with real-world cinematography.”
• “Dario Marianelli, an Oscar winner for ‘Atonement,’ composed the score, which is considered one of the film’s strengths.”
• “This version of the story changes the original setting from 1911 to 1947, on ‘the eve of Partition’ in India.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Secret Garden?

The Secret Garden (2020) is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on digital rental and purchase services like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check local listings for accurate streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Secret Garden, you might like these similar films:

• The Secret Garden (1993): A direct comparison, as it’s another adaptation of the same beloved novel with a more traditional approach.
• A Little Princess (1995): Both feature a young girl facing adversity in a strict environment and discovering inner strength and imagination.
• Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016): Share the themes of children discovering magical worlds and needing to protect themselves.

🛒 The Secret Garden Related Products

• The Secret Garden (Illustrated Edition): A beautifully illustrated edition of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel. Perfect for introducing a new generation to the magic of the story.
• The Secret Garden 1993 film [Blu-ray]: Blu-ray version of the classic and critically acclaimed 1993 adaptation.
• Misselthwaite Manor Garden Seed Collection: A collection of flower and plant seeds inspired by the Secret Garden. Create your own magical garden at home!
• The Secret Garden (Kindle Edition): Enjoy ‘The Secret Garden’ in digital format. Carry the timeless story with you wherever you go. The Kindle version has enhanced features.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Secret Garden features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Secret Garden” – performed by Aurora
• “Misselthwaite Manor” – performed by Dario Marianelli
• “Unlock the Garden” – performed by Dario Marianelli

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The girl was abandoned by her parents and came to her uncle’s house#story

Want a super-fast recap of ‘The Secret Garden’? This video nails the entire story in under a minute! Seriously, it’s perfect if you just want a quick reminder of what happened without any fluff.

The Secret Garden 2020 Review/Plot in Hindi & Urdu

If you’re looking for a thorough review and plot breakdown of ‘The Secret Garden’ in Hindi or Urdu, this is the video for you. I think it’s a really comprehensive analysis, breaking down all the important details!

✨ Rate