Heidi (miniseries)

Heidi is a 1993 American two-part, three-hour television miniseries based on the classic Swiss 1880 novel of the same name by Johanna Spyri, which has sold over 50 million copies^[1] and has been adapted for film and television nearly 20 times. Heidi originally aired on the Disney Channel on July 18 and 19, 1993.^[2] and stars Noley Thorton in the title role.

Synopsis

At the beginning of part one of the miniseries, Heidi is being raised by her cousin Dete in Switzerland following the death of her parents. Dete soon becomes selfish and unwilling to incur the costs of raising Heidi. Dete decides to take Heidi to live in the Alps with her grandfather. Still distraught over the death of his son, with whom he had fought with shortly before his passing, he initially resents Heidi's presence. However, as the story progresses, Heidi's innocence and charm break through her grandfather's tough exterior, and she also makes friends with a young goat herder named Peter.

In part two, Heidi's charmed life falls apart. Dete comes to take her away from her grandfather, placing her with a wealthy family in Frankfurt. She is enlisted as a companion for Clara, a wheelchair-bound girl who is considered an invalid by her family. Heidi manages to spread her joyous disposition in this environment too. However, Heidi becomes very homesick, and convinces Clara to take a trip to the mountains to visit her grandfather. While in the Alps, Heidi convinces Clara that they should both live their own lives. Clara takes Heidi’s words to heart, and finds the strength to walk again. The children then part ways, and Heidi continues her life with her grandfather and Peter.

Release and reception

Heidi aired on the Disney Channel in two parts on July 18 and 19 of 1993. Reviews of the series are generally positive, and pay special attention to the performance of Noley Thorton as Heidi. A review in the Chicago Tribune describes Thorton’s work as an “outstanding performance as the girl who has the innate ability to change people's lives.”^[3] Gary Marsh, vice president of original programming for the Disney Channel, says that Thorton did not play the typical happy, carefree role of Heidi. “She is not the happy-go-lucky, carefree waif played by Shirley Temple, who frolics through life making everybody happy. She's an orphan in a desperate search for a permanent home."

The Philadelphia Inquirer lauds the miniseries for its lavish production when compared to previous adaptations. Heidi was filmed on location in Austria, and Lee Winfrey wrote “the new Heidi is an elaborate and elegant production.”^[4] These factors led to the show being nominated for best miniseries or TV Film in the 51st Golden Globes.^[5]

Cast

• Noley Thornton as Heidi
• Jason Robards as Grandfather
• Jane Seymour as Fraulein Rottenmeier
• Siân Phillips as Frau Sesemann
• Andrew Bicknell as Herr Sesemann
• Lexi Randall as Klara
• Jane Hazlegrove as Cousin Dette
• Ben Brazier as Peter
• Patricia Neal as Grandmother

Production

The series was shot in both Salzburg and Tirol in Austria.^[6]

The Church is the St. Nikolauskirche, Bichl, Matrei, Osttirol

References

External links

• Heidi at The Internet Movie Database
• Heidi at Rotten Tomatoes