While several actresses have played Sara Crewe—from Shirley Temple to Amelia Shankley—there is something uniquely ethereal about Deborah Watling’s performance in the 1973 series.
Watling, perhaps best known to sci-fi fans as Doctor Who’s Victoria Waterfield, brings a quiet, dignified strength to the role. This isn't the musical, tap-dancing Sara of the Hollywood films. This is the Sara of the book: a child who is "queer" and "old-fashioned," who possesses an imagination strong enough to withstand the harsh reality of becoming a servant.
On YouTube, you can see the nuance in her performance—the way her eyes shift from the privilege of a "Little Princess" to the weary resolve of a starving servant girl. It is a performance that trusts the intelligence of its audience, and it holds up beautifully. a little princess tv series 1973 youtube
To understand the 1973 version, you have to look at the landscape of 1970s British children’s television. The BBC was producing a renowned strand of classic adaptations under the banner "BBC Sunday Classic Serials." These were low-budget but high-integrity productions, designed to air in the teatime slot to educate and enchant young viewers.
Produced by the legendary Anna Home (who later worked on The Snowman and The Chronicles of Narnia), the 1973 A Little Princess was a faithful, serialized retelling. Unlike the Hollywood musicals, this version adhered strictly to the novel's somber, Victorian tone. “Before the 1995 film, before the 1985 live-action
“Before the 1995 film, before the 1985 live-action miniseries, there was A Little Princess (1973) – a 26-episode Japanese anime from Nippon Animation.
In this video, I break down why this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel stands out: its emotional depth, faithful yet expanded storytelling, and beautiful 70s anime aesthetic.📌 What’s covered:
0:00 – Intro
1:20 – Production background (part of Nippon’s ‘World Masterpiece Theater’)
3:45 – How Sara Crewe differs here from other versions
6:30 – Best emotional moments (yes, the attic scenes)
9:00 – Animation & music highlights
11:15 – Why it’s overlooked today
13:30 – Should you watch it in 2024? Search for:🔗 Watch the series: [link to playlist or DVD source]
💬 Have you seen this version? Comment below – Becky or Lavinia?#ALittlePrincess #PrincessSara #1973Anime #WorldMasterpieceTheater #RetroAnime”
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Key scenes to analyze: