Heidi (1968)

61% User Rating

1h 45min

"High adventure high in the Swiss Alps with the girl in the golden hair."

Heidi is an orphaned girl initially raised by her aunt Dete in Maienfeld, Switzerland. In order to get a job in Frankfurt, Dete brings 5-year-old Heidi to her grandfather, who has been at odds with the villagers for years and lives in seclusion on the alm. He at first resents Heidi's arrival, but the girl manages to penetrate his harsh exterior and subsequently has a delightful stay with him and her best friend, young Peter the goat-herd.

Delbert MannDirector

Cast

View Cast & Crew

Jennifer Edwards

Heidi

Michael Redgrave

Grandfather

Maximilian Schell

Richard Sessemann

Jean Simmons

Frl. Rottenmeier

Walter Slezak

Father Richter

Peter van Eyck

Dr. Bernd Reboux

Zuleika Robson

Klara

John Moulder-Brown

Peter

Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel

Grandmother

Karl Lieffen

Sebastian

Reviews (1)

All Reviews

CinemaSerf

Rating 60%

June 3, 2023

There have been plenty of on-screen adaptations of this story - it lends itself well to a screen. The eponymous lass (Jennifer Edwards) is palmed off on her reclusive grandfather (Sir Michael Redgrave) atop a mountain, with only him, some goats and the young "Peter" (John Moulder-Brown) for company. She is a charming young girl who soon manages to crack the erstwhile impervious shield of the old man before her wealthy uncle "Richard" (Maximilian Schell) sends word that he will care for her at his Frankfurt home. Once there she quickly befriends his housekeeper "Frauline Rottenmeir" (Jean Simmons) and his bedridden young daughter "Klara" (Zuleika Robson) and slowly a family starts to emerge and to thrive - culminating in a perfect holiday on their mountain. Simmons is gorgeous, Edwards has a charm and Redgrave a loving manner about him that sets this made for television (NBC) movie up nicely. A simple story, told with a sympathetic eye to the detail amidst some pretty (Californian as well as Alpine) scenery.