The Indian in the Cupboard

I must first say I was shocked to see that the average rating given this film was below 6 (when I checked it in Jan of '05). While I gave it a 10, I fully expected at least a mid 7 from the IMDb audience. It is a wonderful film that I love to show to my children. What's not to like? It has a unique plot - that of an Indian coming to life in a young boy's cupboard, and wonderful acting and music. Through the boy's experiences with the Indian (wonderfully played by Litefoot) he comes to a new level of maturity. Hal Scardino's acting is natural and totally believable. If you are tired of the cut-out child actors that Hollywood gives us too often, then you'll love Hal. What a fabulously underplayed performance. The ending always makes me and my wife cry. There are so few really good films for children. I hate to suffer through other films I bought for the kids (like "Inspector Gadget" - a truly awful film) and I wish that there were more films like this one. This is a wonderful film and I heartily recommend it.

Forget reviews saying this is not as good as the book. No films are are a good as the book! Watch this movie with an 8 year old child and you will see how good the film is.

Thank you Frank Oz for a wonderful film. The acting from the young children is above average and the tearful ending just right for a young audience. Interesting to note Steve Coogan plays a miniature model come to life - something he repeats later in his career in A Night At The Museum. Typecasting?

The effects are also very good. Remember this is 1995 when CGI was in it's infancy - but the miniaturisation of the cast is flawless.

To a kid with toys, having a cupboard that could make them real was such fascinating idea! Seeing Darth Vader ducking it out with a Dinosaur was just the cherry on top. So, I remember this movie from my childhood fondly.. Coming back to it as an "adult", I can see and appreciate the layers of lessons in maturity, the weight of a life, one's choices, trust in others and much more.

What is more impressive to me is how such a simple (but very imaginative) premise, was so brilliantly executed! Can't imagine it took me so many years to enjoy it again.

I would easily recommend this to anyone of any age.

1995 was certainly a great year for fantasy films and The Indian In The Cupboard was one of the many great movies of that year.

A little boy puts a toy Indian in the cupboard and it comes to life. They gradually become good friends throughout the film and the young boy also puts some of his other toys into the cupboard as well.

The acting is great throughout and it's a nice little story as well. The great thing about films like this is that they are pure fantasy and they feature the type of things that most young kids dream about. What young child wouldn't like to bring some of their toys to life? It may never happen but it's great to be able to watch a movie where it does happen.

All in all, a lovely movie for the kids.

Actually quite sweet and enjoyable. But, Patrick and Omri (Stupid name) are so damn irritating, and when Omri kicks the rat, what the hell. God, no offence to the actor, but Omri has such an annoying face, and these emotional scenes which are featured in the film are just ruined by close-ups of his stupid face. Apart from that, it is quite sweet, quite sad and decently fun. I genuinely recommend this if you fancy killing some time.