Heidi as a book was a childhood favourite and still is a timeless classic. This version with Shirley Temple was also a favourite as a child and is still a delight, whether you've read the book or not. It is true that it is not the truest to the book, with some darker elements that didn't feel shoe-horned and far from traumatising, but that really doesn't matter, you can still love the book and also love the film. There could have been more of the relationship between Heidi and her grandfather(but it is still really touching) and the musical number In Our Little Wooden Shoes while catchy, well-staged and cute didn't add a whole lot to the story, in fact really it was irrelevant. Everything else is fine, and I found it superior to the 1993 Noley Thornton version(which was still good),it doesn't feel over-dramatic even with the added darker parts, the characters are far more truthfully and sympathetically written with much more of a character journey with the grandfather and there's more heart. Heidi is a lovely film to look at, being crisply and lovingly filmed, scenery that makes you wish you were right there and the costumes give a genuine sense of time and place(they look good too, yes even Heidi's poor clothes). The music is whimsical and sparkling, the dialogue has a very good balance of funny and meaningful and the story essentially has every bit the charm, heart-warming sentiment and emotion that the book has, the ending is well and truly sweet and not tacky. The sled chase, any scene with Fraulein Rottenmeier and the monkey are standout scenes. Heidi is briskly directed with enough time for the story to resonate and for the actors to really go for it. Jean Hersholt plays grumpy and heartfelt beautifully, while reclusive there is a real sense that he cares for Heidi and she for him. Mary Nash is the very meaning of beastly- living aptly up to her character's name- and absolutely relishes it, while Arthur Treacher is hilarious as the butler Andrews and Marcia Mae Jones is an affecting Klara. But it's Shirley Temple's film, she's adorable and while she manages to be charming and have wonderful comic timing she is equally good at displaying an emotional side, her acting in the scene in the police station(another memorable scene) is just heart-breaking. While she is the main attraction of the film, the other characters and actors are just as believable to not make Heidi too much of a Shirley Temple show. All in all, delightful and a Shirley Temple classic, one of her best possibly. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I am no expert on "Heidi". I know it's a super-famous book and I've seen a few of the movies. But what I do know is that this Twentieth Century-Fox version was FAR from the original tale. It's still entertaining, but it's not "Heidi".

The story begins in the German mountains. This is odd, as it was actually supposed to be Switzerland and I wonder why the studio changed this--especially in light of the rising oppression in Nazi Germany. It begins with Heidi's aunt bringing the girl to live with her Grandfather. He has no interest in the child or anyone else, as he long ago disowned his child and became a hermit. But, VERY quickly (much more quickly than it should),Heidi brings out the man's love and humanity and all is well. However, the aunt returns to kidnap the child (not in the original story) and the rest of the tale is set in Frankfurt--where Heidi becomes the companion of a disabled girl. This portion of the story is somewhat like the original, though there was no kidnapping and the housekeeper was NOTHING like the original--and instead of just being stuffy, she's evil and a criminal who eventually tries to sell Heidi to gypsies!!! Again, certainly NOT in the original story. But, in the end, all is finally well and Heidi is returned to her loving grandfather.

If you have never read or seen a film based on the original story, the 1937 version is wonderful. As usual, Shirley Temple is great and I can even forgive the totally unnecessary song and dance number inexplicably inserted into the movie. Having watched the 1993 Noley Thornton version which closely follows the story, however, I know that the story can be a lot better. Decent but see the 1993 version instead...or in addition.

In the Alps, 8 year old orphan Heidi (Shirley Temple) is left by her aunt Dete for her reclusive grandfather (Jean Hersholt) in his mountain cabin. He had forbidden his son's marriage and had ostracized his son's family. He reluctantly takes in the precocious girl who slowly wins him over. Grandfather refuses to send Heidi to school despite threats from the local preacher. Again, her innocence wins him over and they come down the mountain to go to church. Aunt Dete steals her away and sells her to be a companion to wheelchair bound Klara from the wealthy Sesemann family in Frankfurt. Klara's mother is dead and her father is often away. Her household is controlled by the strict Fräulein Rottenmeier who sees Heidi as a threat to her power.

The point of the story is that Heidi's utter charm and absolute innocence can win over the gruffest of mountain man. That's Shirley Temple or at least, that's her cinematic persona. So the child actor fits the role perfectly. Sure it's trite but there is a charm to the try-hard Temple in a try-hard role. It's easy to see how the adorable pint-size actress could win over the world.