This movie burned and stayed in my memory for years, the haunting melody of the music box was amzaing-I spent years asking people at various music box stores where I could get it. They must have thought I was NUTS, this 8 year old demanding a song that didn't exist. I suppose nowadays, if I had a recording of it I suppose I could have a music box custom made of it (well, the recording and a ton of cash!).Disney's version was nice, but lacking the magical mystery of the original film. But it wasn't horrible. It was New Coke to Old Coke, I was expecting something more of the original and it just wasn't it.The turtle at the end, apparently having lived with Winnie all her life, was kinda a nice touch-my guess is that they used a turtle as opposed to a frog because a frog would have taken off :o) The only reason this doesn't get a 10 out of 10 is that as much as I loved Jesse, he kinda creeped me out wandering around the merry-go-round at the end, granted he was still 17, but even a 17 year old attracted to a 10 year old? NOT good.

Although it has changed some minor things of Natalie Babbit's book, this 1981 film version is a wonderful and very moving film. The acting is good, the simplicity of the locations does wonders. And it has my favorite music box tune of all times! The frog has become a turtle is this film, which is okay, too (the 2002 Disney film version almost shows no interest in the everlasting frog story!). It is an everlasting turtle and in the end, after Jesse has seen Winnie's grave, it walks down the road (while we audience see the end titles and hear the music box tune). That ending blew me away. A total 'A', or ten ********** stars.

I also saw this movie - on TV here in Sweden, back in the 80:s - and all I can do is agree with what was said in the comment I read. The Disney version is OK, yes, but still nowhere near this one.This one is lovely, beautiful, romantic, dramatic, bittersweet... And there I'm at loss for words. Even more so, since English isn't my native language... <:) I loved it then - and misses it sooo much! Why isn't this one available on VHS or DVD??? I'd buy it in an instant! (I do own the Disney version and the book - but, oh, this is the version I really DO want!) For those of you who haven't yet seen this film/movie: If it's at all possible - do see it! If you have seen the Disney version and somehow are able to see this one also: Do! If you liked what Disney made of it, you wont be disappointed in this one. No way!Added: Now I own it! I do! And I'm happy as can be about it. I love this one. I do. Granted, it's not quite as I remember it. I think the opening scenes (the fair) takes too long time, but other than that it's lovely. And Paul Flessa - Jesse Tuck - is still ever so cute. ;)(Yeah, my taste has changed during these 20-some years, but apparently not when it comes to him.) Wonder whatever became of him and the other actors...

This movie was nothing like the book. While the book was attention-grabbing and inspiring, the movie is cheesy and boring! Jesse falling off a ferris wheel? Did they even have ferris wheels back then? And unless Mae Tuck was attempting suicide, there is no way she could have cut her finger completely off just by cutting a damn piece of food! I couldn't even get the first 15 minutes before I literally fell asleep. If you can't fall asleep, this is a good movie, if you want entertainment, don't even think about this poor excuse for a movie.