Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #560 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-07-20
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Secret Of Moonacre is a charming adaptation of Elizabeth Goudge’s novel The Little White Horse. Starring The Golden Compass’ Dakota Blue Richards, she plays young teenage orphan Maria Merryweather, who inherits a single book from her father.

That book, however, is the catalyst to what happens next in The Secret Of Moonacre, as the story bursts to life, throwing Maria into the middle of a feud between two families, the Merryweathers and the De Noirs. As she eventually makes her way through the book, Maria understands what she needs to do, and realises that the fate of Moonacre Valley could well be in her hands.

Co-starring Tim Curry, Ioan Gruffudd, Natascha McElhone and Juliet Stevenson, The Secret Of Moonacre does take a little time to warm up, with a tepid first act not the best of beginnings. But then the the steady hand of director Gabor Csupo--previously responsible for the underrated Bridge To Terabithia--kicks in, and things soon pick up. Csupo’s movie boasts striking visuals and genuinely impressive production values, and while it doesn’t quite match his earlier film, it still emerges as solid family entertainment that’s been well realised. What’s more, Dakota Blue Richards does her credentials no harm at all either, turning in another impressive performance that eases the film through its weaker moments. Recommended. –-Jon Foster

Synopsis
In The Secret Of Moonacre, an orphan girl inherits a book of family secrets that will shape her destiny forever. As the only remaining Moon Princess, thirteen-year-old Maria Merryweather (Dakota Blue Richards) is charged with saving her family's crumbling country estate, Moonacre Manor, from being destroyed by an ancient curse. Leaving behind her comfortable life in London, she goes to live with her strange and reclusive uncle, Sir Benjamin (Ioan Gruffudd), in Moonacre Valley, where she uncovers an age-old family feud. Bad blood runs deep between the Merryweather and De Noir clans, and now the responsibility falls squarely on Maria's little shoulders to bring peace to the valley and lift the terrible curse that has blighted her family for generations. But she'll have to hurry if she is to complete her quest before the next full moon rises...
Director Gabor Csupo (Bridge To Terabithia) has done a fantastic job of bringing Elizabeth Goudge's classic novel The Little White Horse to the big screen. The film's sumptuous visuals evoke a world shrouded in mystery, magic, and moonlight.

Customer Reviews

Good family film
I was not sure what to expect from this film but I thought the adverts looked good.
I have not read the book and generally find that films are never as good as books anyway, but I really enjoyed this film. Its an easy watch that any fan of fantasy stories would enjoy to watch. A good sunday afternoon film.
If you enjoy films like stardust or inkheart then watch this film.

Awesome, Romantic And Just Good Fun.
I saw this at the cinema when it came out, it was such a lovely film to watch again and again for the whole family. Based on a book called The Little White Horse, the story is Maria Merryweather who has lost her parents and must live with her uncle in Moonacre. There she discovers a ancient curse that when the 5,000th moon comes, the Merryweathers will be doomed forever and Moonacre will destory everything. It's upto Maria to join the two warring familes and save Moonacre. It has the same feel of Inkheart, enjoyable and nothing too harsh about it. It has a good cast in it, Ioan Gruffudd playing two roles and as always brilliant as ever. Dakota Blue Richards is a improvement from Golden Compass, finally using a proper accent and shreding the annoying "Look at me" faze. Tim Curry is his usual villian self, Juilet Stevenson is brilliant as Maria's mentor and Natasha Mcleone is great as Loveday. Awesome scenery, beautiful dresses, romance and just good fun, The Secret of Moonacre is highly recommened by me if you loved Inkheart, Bedtime Stories or just a family film to watch.

the secret of moonacre
Saw this film at the cinema recently with my 3 children and thought it a captivating film for both young and old. A magical cast and twisted script kept this film exciting all the way through.