| A Little Princess | |
| Director: | Vladimir Grammatikov |
| Producer: | Mikhail Litvak Mikhail Zilberman |
| Based On: | A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett |
| Starring: | Anastasia Meskova Alla Demidova Igor Yasulovich Yegor Grammatikov Lyanka Gryu |
| Narrator: | Aleksey Batalov |
| Music: | Vladimir Davydenko |
| Cinematography: | Aleksandr Antipenko |
| Studio: | Globe Film Studio |
| Runtime: | 88 minutes |
| Country: | Russia |
| Language: | Russian |
A Little Princess (ru|Маленькая принцесса|Malenkaya printsessa) is a 1997 Russian family drama film directed by Vladimir Grammatikov. It is based on the novel A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.[1]
As the film opens in 1914 London, thick fog engulfs a London cab that drives through the city carrying Captain Crewe and his young daughter, Sarah. Captain Crewe has just returned from India. Sarah is unlike other children; she always thinks about things that are unusual.
Sarah's mother died when she was a baby, and her father has been called away for service. Sarah is left to be raised in a boarding house for noble maidens run by Miss Minchin, a cruel, selfish, and heartless woman.
On Sarah's birthday, news arrives from India that her father, Captain Crewe, has died. With the loss of her father, her status at the boarding house drops dramatically. She had previously been the best student and lived in a luxury apartment, but now she is sent to reside in the attic. She is forced to be a lowly maid alongside Becky, who soon becomes her confidant.
Unbeknownst to Sarah, Mr. Carissford has just arrived in London from India. He was a close friend and colleague of Sarah's father when they worked together in the diamond business. Mr. Carissford and his servant, Ram Dass, painstakingly sweep London in search of Sarah.
When they finally find her, they rescue her from the boarding house and inform Sarah that she has inherited her father's riches. Now, as part owner of her Father's powerful diamond business, Sarah returns to her prior status as a lady of great wealth. Despite the unexpected reversal of fortune, her character remains sweet and familiar to those around her.
With the holiday season approaching, Sarah invites everyone to a Christmas party. Miss Minchin tries to dissuade her sister, Amelia, and her pupils from going but they do not listen. In the end, even Minchin's favorite dog, tired of Miss Minchin's evil nature, runs off to the celebration.