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| Wee Willie Winkie | 
 enlarge | Director: John Ford
Actors: Shirley Temple, Victor Mclaglen, C. Aubrey Smith, June Lang, Michael Whalen
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: Video
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $2.00
You Save: $7.98 (80%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $1.60
Avg. Customer Rating:  (11 reviews)
Sales Rank: 19601
Format: Closed-captioned, Original Recording Reissued, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Running Time: 100 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
UPC: 024543033639
EAN: 0024543033639
ASIN: B00005UM6Q
Release Date: March 12, 2002
Theatrical Release Date: July 30, 1937
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
 Classic John Ford with Shirley Temple, Victor McLaglen January 1, 2008
Rudyard Kipling stories have always translated well to film and television, think The Jungle Book, The Man Who Would Be King, and Wee Willie Winkie is no exception. In India in 1897, young Priscilla Williams and her mother Joyce are traveling by train to a remote British outpost commanded by Priscilla's grandfather. Upon arriving, Priscilla finds out that her grandfather doesn't quite know how to interact with little girls so she decides her best option to get to know him is to become a soldier. With the help of the friendly Sgt. Donald McDuff, Priscilla tries to become a soldier, and with a new name at that, Private Wee Willie Winkie. There is something undescribable about this film that makes it so good. It hits all the right notes throughout. Seen through Wee Willie Winkie's eyes, everything is very innocent and child-like, an example being she can't see why the British and Indians are at war. All this just makes the movie work that much better. Everything is working well here, so don't miss this movie.
Shirley Temple gives one of her best performances as Priscilla Williams, a precocious little girl who is always curious and therefore always asking questions. She's able to do the comedic and dramatic scenes equally well. Victor McLagen is incredible as Sgt. Donald MacDuff, the soldier who befriends Priscilla and teaches her to become a soldier, giving her a new name and a pint size uniform, toy rifle and all. Temple and McLaglen's scenes together are what takes this movie from a very good to a great movie, especially their last scene together. It's too bad the always reliable McLaglen didn't get some kind of recognition for his role here. C. Aubrey Smith plays Colonel Williams, Priscilla's grandfather and commander of the post who initially doesn't know how to interact with his granddaughter but ends up becoming very close. June Lang is good in a small part as Joyce, Priscilla's widowed mother trying to adjust to her new life with a crush on the outpost, "Coppy" as Priscilla calls him, Lt. Brandes. And a young Cesar Romero rounds out the main cast as Khoda Khan, a leader of the Indian opposition to the British. He too has some very strong scenes with Temple.
Now, I haven't seen the VHS so I can't answer to its quality, but the movie is now available in DVD format as part of the "Ford at Fox" collection. I can't say you should buy the whole set, it's pretty expensive, for one movie, but if you like John Ford movies, especially his early ones, then the set is a safe buy. The disc for Wee Willie Winkie doesn't have any special features, but it offers the black and white version and the tinted version. Th B&W version looks very good and cleaned up from some TV versions. So if you get a chance, watch Wee Willie Winkie, you won't be disappointed!
 Fine film. Too bad it's colorized. March 20, 2007
If you care about whether the film you are watching is in the original black and white or colorized, you won't get much help from the product description for this version of the film. Buyer beware.
Please vote for Wee Willie Winkie to be released on DVD! July 31, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've never had the chance to see this film, because it's only on video!
I'm from Britain, so this video format won't work on my machine!
I'm collecting Shirley Temple films on DVD's!
I know from the film 'Child Star - The Shirley Temple Story (2001)' which stars 'Ashley Rose Orr' as the young child 'Shirley Temple' with two other actress' playing her other ages.
That this actress who plays Shirley Temple recreates some of her film scenes.
And on 'Wee Willie Winkie', there's one scene of her singing 'Auld Lang Syne', which I'd love to see in this film!
So, please vote for this film to be released on DVD!
Shirley The Real Actress February 19, 2005
I'm a huge Shirley Temple fan and as an adult this is probably my favorite movie of hers since she really acts... the kiddies probably won't like this one and the people who are not die hard core Shirley fans will also find this movie boring. But, in my opinon its one of her better movies.
Take into account there is no singing or dance squences instead there are battles, and a lot of gore. You might want to view it yourself before you watch it with your children or grand-children! The story takes place in India when the British were still occupying it Shirley and her widow mother move onto a army base to be with her grandfather. But, they move when the area is on the brink of war with the natives. Shirley trying to please her grandfather asks Sgt. Mc.Duff to help her train to be a solider and Shirley manages to capture the hearts of all those on the base. MacDuff tragically dies Shirley has to deal with the loss of a good friend and trys to make peace with the natives who threten war. In the end Shirley manages to have the two sides compromise.
In her first real acting role Shirley does a steller job showcasing all of her talent, ability, and spark that made her the star of her time. Temple fans and old movie fans this can't be missed!
Fantastic movie March 9, 2002
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
I love all Shirley movies, but this one takes her acting
a cut above. It allows Shirley to show her acting range.
I loved the story especially because it made you laugh and cry.
The scenery is beautiful and so is the story!
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