(Spoiler) I remember seeing this as a little girl and how it made me cry when Thomasina runs back through the rain and jumps back through the window to Mary. I have had cats all of my life and this movie truly captures the love one has for their pet and the anguish one feels over the loss of it.
It's a little distracting to watch this film and Mary Poppins too close together since the main two children are the same in both films, but they are also wonderfully cast ... particularly Karen Dotrice as Mary. It's also interesting that the bulk of this tale is told through the eyes (and voice) of the cat.
In essence, the story is all about overcoming the pain of loss and finding happiness again. The father has lost his wife and has become hardened because of it; taking it out on his daughter by callously dismissing the feelings she has for her injured pet. Once the cat "dies", the daughter shows her disdain for her father by ignoring him and acting as if he doesn't exist. Into the mix, we get a "witch" who ends up enchanting the father and making him see that love is still possible -- not only with her, but also between him and his daughter. He just has to open up to both of them. The end is very heartening which makes it sad that this movie is virtually unknown to the generation that didn't grow up with it. I have a copy of it on laserdisc and (since it is out of print), have made VHS copies to give to friends with small children so they can enjoy it as much as I did.
If you can find a copy, watch it! Time hasn't lessened it's appeal.
It's a little distracting to watch this film and Mary Poppins too close together since the main two children are the same in both films, but they are also wonderfully cast ... particularly Karen Dotrice as Mary. It's also interesting that the bulk of this tale is told through the eyes (and voice) of the cat.
In essence, the story is all about overcoming the pain of loss and finding happiness again. The father has lost his wife and has become hardened because of it; taking it out on his daughter by callously dismissing the feelings she has for her injured pet. Once the cat "dies", the daughter shows her disdain for her father by ignoring him and acting as if he doesn't exist. Into the mix, we get a "witch" who ends up enchanting the father and making him see that love is still possible -- not only with her, but also between him and his daughter. He just has to open up to both of them. The end is very heartening which makes it sad that this movie is virtually unknown to the generation that didn't grow up with it. I have a copy of it on laserdisc and (since it is out of print), have made VHS copies to give to friends with small children so they can enjoy it as much as I did.
If you can find a copy, watch it! Time hasn't lessened it's appeal.