Heidi, Girl of the Alps

Original Title: アルプスの少女ハイジ
Romanized: Arupusu no Shoujo Haiji
Literal: Heidi, Girl of the Alps

Plot Synopsis

This is the story of Heidi, a five year old girl living in the Swiss Alps, orphaned as an infant and raised by her aunt Dete. When Dete finds work elsewhere, she takes Heidi to live with her Grandfather, a hermit who lives alone on a mountain with only two goats and an old dog for company. Heidi's innocence softens her Grandfather's heart, and she finds adventures every day up on the mountain with the poor goatherd Peter. But, eventually, Heidi is taken to live with a rich family in Frankfurt as the companion of a wheelchair-bound girl, Clara. Heidi struggles to keep up her spirits in the strict confines of a proper city household, and perhaps to bring joy to Clara as well.

Quick Review

Rating: 5 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2003-08-13

Heidi, Girl of the Alps is a simply wonderful series in the most literal sense--simple in its portrayal of nature both grand and small and the details of everyday life, and filled with the wonder to be found in all of those things when seen through the fresh, innocent eyes of Heidi. Though it is a children's series, it is just as enjoyable to an adult viewer because its world is detailed and realistic, and it allows the viewer to see this world through Heidi's eyes.

Progressing unhurriedly through its considerable length, Heidi nonetheless never becomes the slightest bit boring, because of its richness. It boasts likable characterization, gorgeous art, exquisite character animation, memorable music, and masterful directing. The series is a masterwork from beginning to end, and comes with the highest recommendation for both children and anyone who might enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a child again.

US DVD Review

None exists outside Japan.

Content Guide

Though there are moments of mild stress, the series is appropriate for viewers of any age.

Violence: 1 - There is brief discussion of violence and some physical drama, but never anything serious.

Nudity: 0 - Young Heidi is frequently in her old-fashioned undergarments, but that hardly qualifies as nudity of any sort.

Sex/Mature Themes: 0 - Absolutely nothing is even implied.

Language: 0 - Completely clean.

Notes and Trivia

Based on a novel by Johanna Spyri, Heidi is one of several World Masterpiece Theater titles produced around the same period. These series have a similar pedigree, and are based on classic tales from around the world; most, like Heidi, ran one year on TV, and were (and still are) extraordinarily popular. They include Anne of Green Gables, Perinne's Story, The Dog of Flanders, 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, and Rascal the Raccoon.

For today's useless look at what people with too much time on their hands do, there is this site; this guy decided to analyze the precise physical properties of Heidi's swing in the fanciful opening sequence. Among his conclusions: She's swinging at 68kmh on a 27m swing 100m from the ground, hanging from a 127m tree. His best comment (translated from Japanese): "The line in the song asks 'Tell me, Uncle, why I can hear a whistle from so far away'; it's because you're so bloody high up!"

Availability

Not yet available in English, in any country. The first four episodes were fansubbed, and another fansub is currently in the early stages of production.

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