When Leslie Burke moves in next door to Jess Aarons, Jess finds a friend in Leslie. Over time, they discover a secret place in the forest across a fallen pine tree, and over a creek, they ca... Read allWhen Leslie Burke moves in next door to Jess Aarons, Jess finds a friend in Leslie. Over time, they discover a secret place in the forest across a fallen pine tree, and over a creek, they call Terabithia, a place where memories are sacred.When Leslie Burke moves in next door to Jess Aarons, Jess finds a friend in Leslie. Over time, they discover a secret place in the forest across a fallen pine tree, and over a creek, they call Terabithia, a place where memories are sacred.
Photos
Sharon Alexander
- Brenda Aarons
- (as Sharon Holownia)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDavid Paterson, who was the real-life inspiration for the character of Jess Aarons, the son of Katherine Paterson (author of the original book), and producer and screenwriter for the remake Bridge to Terabithia (2007), referred to this version as being "like the crazy cousin that nobody talks about" and went on to say that "no one on our side was either involved with it or happy with the final product".
- GoofsThough one user pointed out that no bridge is ever seen or mentioned, the fallen pine tree over the creek serves as the titular "bridge" that the children cross to get to the shed (or "castle") they have built in the woods, where their imaginary world of Terabithia also takes place.
- Quotes
[first lines]
Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr.: On your mark. Get set. Go!
- Alternate versionsThe two DVD releases represent an original and an alternate version of this feature. The 2003 release by Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment has a total running time of 57:31 (including 02:21 of production clips) and is the original version broadcast on the PBS series "Wonderworks", including the Wonderworks opening and closing production clips. The 2007 release by Allumination Filmworks has a total running time of 50:03 (including 00:30 of production clips) and was probably shortened for release on commercial television in an hour long time slot. Both DVDs list a running time of "approximately 60 minutes". The Allumination version was created by cutting 05:51 out of the Bonneville feature; the longest cut (02:42) begins in the "Twinkie" scene when Jess promises May Belle that he will get even with Janice Avery for eating May Belle's Twinkie, continuing through Leslie and Jess forging a letter to Janice from Willard Hughes, through Jess putting the letter in Janice's desk, through Jess seeing puppies being given away for free, through Leslie telling Jess that Janice is in the bathroom crying, and stopping just before Leslie tells Jess why Janice is crying. The shortest of the 13 cuts is 4 seconds. Noticeable cuts include: (after May Belle tells Jess she followed him and Leslie) Jess threatening May Belle ("I catch you following me and your life ain't worth nothin'." and "I'll tell Billie Jean Edwards you still wet your bed."); after Jess enters Miss Edmunds' red sports car and Miss Edmunds says "I'm so glad your mom let you come today", Jess' response, "Oh! I forgot to call ... oh, never mind"; Jess and Miss Edmunds looking at abstract paintings in the art museum; (while Jess is at the museum with Miss Edmunds) Bill telling Leslie they could go to town for dinner and a show in the evening; (after Mr. Aarons catches Jess in his arms) the exchange [Jess] "I hate her. I hate her. I wish I'd never seen her in my whole life." [Mr. Aarons] It's not your fault. [Jess] "It's all my fault. I was supposed to meet her and I didn't. It wouldn't have happened, Leslie would still be ... [Mr. Aarons] "Hey, Jess -- you can't blame yourself. It's not your fault. [Jess] But I hurt so bad inside, Daddy." [Mr. Aarons] "I know -- I hurt too."; (later) [Jess] "I didn't mean that about hating her." [Mr. Aarons] "I know you didn't, Son."; and (after May Belle says "Boys ain't supposed to cry, are they Mommy?") [Mrs. Aarons] "Shut up, both of you, and get out now. [to Jess] Don't you pay any attention to them, just finish eating."
- ConnectionsReferenced in The Simpsons: Penny-Wiseguys (2012)
Featured review
inferior except in one important way
Leslie Burke is the new girl in school. She moves to the farm next to Jess Aarons and soon becomes his best friend. Her parents are city folks trying to reassess their values. Miss Edmunds (Annette O'Toole) is their teacher.
This is the Canadian TV movie predecessor to the Hollywood big budget movie in 2007. The kids seem to be mostly amateurs. I wouldn't be surprised if they simply grabbed a bunch of child performers out of the local theaters. The only big name is O'Toole who has a supporting role. This is inferior in every way to the 2007 film except for one important aspect. It is the important aspect which caused some controversy when it came out. Parents were shocked by the twist and complained about scarring their little kids. The 2007 film was sold as a magical fun kiddie journey so complaining about the shocking twist is not unwarranted. That's not happening in this movie. The low budget darker production is setting up the expectation of the PBS viewers. The twist is unforeseeable but the audience is more willing to accept the kiddies learning an adult lesson when it's done this way.
This is the Canadian TV movie predecessor to the Hollywood big budget movie in 2007. The kids seem to be mostly amateurs. I wouldn't be surprised if they simply grabbed a bunch of child performers out of the local theaters. The only big name is O'Toole who has a supporting role. This is inferior in every way to the 2007 film except for one important aspect. It is the important aspect which caused some controversy when it came out. Parents were shocked by the twist and complained about scarring their little kids. The 2007 film was sold as a magical fun kiddie journey so complaining about the shocking twist is not unwarranted. That's not happening in this movie. The low budget darker production is setting up the expectation of the PBS viewers. The twist is unforeseeable but the audience is more willing to accept the kiddies learning an adult lesson when it's done this way.
helpful•21
- SnoopyStyle
- Sep 30, 2021
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $500,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
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