Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1277 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-10-15
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Synopsis
Animation master Gabor Csupo directs his first live-action film in this adaptation of the novel 'The Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson, whose son David co-wrote the screenplay and serves as a producer. Jess (Josh Hutcherson) is misunderstood. Despite Jess' talents as an artist, the school bullies pick on him, his father (Robert Patrick) belittles his dreams, and his four sisters invade his space in the family's cramped house. Jess' bleak world changes when Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) moves into the house next door. Bright, creative and outspoken, Leslie also finds herself an outsider in their school. Soon the two are thick as thieves, spending their after school hours exploring the woods beyond their backyards and on the others side of a creek, which Leslie deems the kingdom of Terabithia. Here, they create their own magical world, complete with a Dark Master and his minions, dragonfly soldiers, giant trolls and a treehouse fortress. In Terabithia, the two friends let their imaginations run wild and control their destiny, far away from school bullies and the pressures of adolescence. Hutcherson and Robb are well cast as Jess and Leslie in this coming-of-age tale. Hutcherson handles both the melancholy intensity and unbridled joy of his character beautifully, and Robb's smile and charisma are infectious. Zooey Deschanel also stars as Miss Edmunds, the music teacher who befriends Jess. Terabithia and its creatures are created by WETA Digital LTD, the same company that did the effects for the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and KING KONG.

Customer Reviews

A great movie but rather misrepresented by the TV trailers
My 11 year old son and I went to see this movie on the strength of the Disney TV trailers that really gave a totally false impression of what the film was about (it seemed perhaps it would be a great fantasy adventure similar to 'The time bandits', 'Narnia' or the recent 'Stardust'). In fact the film is more like a standard US teen movie, with typical school yard, home-life and school bus scenes. However the quality of the movie is simply in another league to most teen flicks, and it's got some visually stunning moments (not unlike quality films such as 'Alice doesn't live here anymore' and 'Fried green tomatoes'). It's got an intelligent script aimed squarely at a kid audience, a fine young/adult cast, and is simply a good movie.

It's not for most, if any, under 8s though as it deals with late preteen/teenager childhood friendship and school problems. It has also got quite a few pretty children's fantasy sequences which my son happily took to be real - and it's not that scary, although it is emotionally intense. I don't want to give away any more of the plot though, just try it for the family as it's ideal to rent or perhaps buy. I can't see many kids watching it often though, as its power works best on first viewing - unless someone ruins it by giving away the storyline. The book, and film, was based on the author's son's real childhood friendship with a girl schoolfriend (although they were both eight at the time and not twelve as with the character's in the movie). I don't think the themes are unsuitable for under tens - I loved weepies Old Yeller and Bambi at 5 or 6 and in some respects the movies final scenes are quite uplifting. Besides the storyline is dictated by real events, not a Disney scriptwriter. It might be a good idea to watch the movie with any preteens though, not only because it's a good film, but also so that you can talk about it afterwards. My son and I really enjoyed 'Bridge to Terabithia', even though it was almost the exact opposite of what we expected given the Disney promotional trailers [and it's not really fair to blame the film or it's creators for that].

Great, moving film - tissues required, but a word of caution
I won't go into details as other reviewers have done this movie proud, but I just need to add my own words of caution for all parents out there.
We, like others thought we were going to be watching a fantasy similar to Narnia....it is not. It's still a great film, powerful and moving.
However, please assess your own childs maturity to watch this film, because without giving anything away, it will move most adults to tears. My own daughter who is 8 and a half was totally distraught, had I known the content, I would not have let her watch it.

A stunning, emotional film
As the first reviewer has commented, the two child stars are superb in what turns out to be a moral tale that will appeal to children (above the age of 7 I think) and also to adults.

The imagery is wonderful, the tone utterly realistic and not overly Disneyfied. Anna Sophia Robb in particular was the subject of my eldest daughter's drawings for a full two weeks after seeing this: it really stuck with her, and it also stuck with me. It is the best child/adult film I have seen in 2007 and the dose of reality it gives younger viewers - it is less 'safe/warm & cuddly' than say Charlotte's Web - injects a depth that is utterly compelling.