Back to the Secret Garden

Lore & Background

The film follows 38-year-old Lady Mary Craven, who visits an American orphanage in 1946 and tells children about an exchange program to Misselthwaite Manor, now an orphanage in England. Young Lizzie Buscana agrees to participate to see the secret garden. Upon arrival, Lizzie finds the garden neglected and restricted, but she helps revive it after stealing the key and rallying the other orphans.

Reader's Guide

Back to the Secret Garden is significant as a direct sequel to the 1987 Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, continuing the story of Lady Mary and Sir Colin Craven as married adults. The film received a theatrical release exclusively in Oklahoma City on August 11, 2000, and later aired on Showtime on September 2, 2001. Its legacy lies in expanding the original narrative to address post-World War II themes, with Misselthwaite Manor serving as an orphanage for children whose parents died in the war.

Did You Know?

• Misselthwaite Manor has become an orphanage for children whose parents died in World War II.
• The garden is revived by a girl from across the sea, echoing the original story.