Why the 1997 Borrowers Movie Remains a Masterpiece of Family Fantasy

The Borrowers movie, specifically the 1997 live-action adaptation directed by Peter Hewitt, stands as a cornerstone of late-90s family cinema. Based on the beloved 1952 children's book series by Mary Norton, the story introduces us to the Clock family: Pod, Homily, Arrietty, and Peagreen. These are "Borrowers"—tiny people standing just four inches tall who live beneath the floorboards of an old English house. They survive by "borrowing" items that humans (whom they call "Human Beans") wouldn't miss, such as safety pins, buttons, and scraps of food.

While there have been several adaptations over the decades, including the 2010 Studio Ghibli masterpiece Arrietty and the 2011 British television film, the 1997 version is often the first that comes to mind for global audiences. It successfully blended a quintessentially British sensibility with high-budget Hollywood production values, creating a world that felt both nostalgic and technologically groundbreaking for its time.

Exploring the Plot of the 1997 Classic

The 1997 film centers on the Lender family’s home, which is under threat from a corrupt lawyer named Ocious P. Potter, played with villainous relish by John Goodman. The Lenders believe they own their house through the will of a late relative, but Potter claims the document is missing and plans to demolish the residence to build luxury condominiums.

Unbeknownst to the Lenders, the Clock family lives beneath their floorboards. When the Lenders are forced to move, the Clocks' secret existence is jeopardized. The story takes a turn when the young human boy, Pete Lender, discovers Arrietty Clock. Unlike most "beans," Pete becomes an ally to the tiny family.

The stakes escalate when Potter finds the hidden will inside the house and intends to destroy it to proceed with his demolition plans. The Borrowers must embark on a perilous journey across the house and through the city—encountering "Outie" borrowers like Spiller and facing off against exterminators—to recover the will and save the only home they have ever known.

The Cast That Brought the Tiny World to Life

One of the primary reasons this adaptation remains so memorable is its impeccable casting. The film serves as a "who's who" of British acting royalty and features early roles for actors who would later become global superstars.

John Goodman as Ocious P. Potter

John Goodman delivered a larger-than-life performance as the primary antagonist. Potter is not just a greedy lawyer; he is a slapstick villain in the vein of a cartoon character come to life. Goodman's ability to balance genuine menace with hilarious physical comedy—especially during the scenes involving the exterminator and the "caustic foam"—provided the film with its energetic pulse.

Jim Broadbent and Celia Imrie

As Pod and Homily Clock, Broadbent and Imrie grounded the fantasy in emotional reality. Pod is the stoic, resourceful father and master borrower, while Homily is the anxious but fiercely protective mother. Their chemistry makes the Clock family feel like a real unit, making the audience care deeply about their survival despite their minuscule stature.

Tom Felton’s Early Breakout

Long before he was Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, a young Tom Felton played Peagreen Clock. Even in this early role, Felton displayed a natural screen presence, portraying the adventurous and occasionally clumsy younger brother with charm.

Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams

The film features a delightful supporting cast, including Hugh Laurie as Officer Steady and Mark Williams as the exterminator, Jeff. Interestingly, Laurie and Williams would both go on to have massive careers (Laurie in House and Williams as Arthur Weasley in Harry Potter), but here they provide the perfect comedic foil to Goodman’s Potter.

How the Movie Achieved Its Iconic Visual Style

In an era before CGI could easily render everything, The Borrowers (1997) relied heavily on practical effects, oversized sets, and ingenious cinematography to create the illusion of scale.

The Art of Oversized Props

To make the actors look four inches tall, the production team built massive versions of everyday objects. In our observation of the film's production design, the detail is staggering. A simple postage stamp becomes a framed piece of wall art for the Clocks. A button serves as a dinner plate. A single thread of yarn becomes a heavy-duty climbing rope. This attention to detail invites the audience to see the world from a new perspective, transforming the mundane into the extraordinary.

Practical Effects vs. Early CGI

While the film did use digital effects to composite tiny characters into human-sized rooms, it’s the practical work that holds up best today. The physical interaction between the Borrowers and their environment—such as Pod using a "gadget" made of a corkscrew and a needle—feels tactile and real. This "lived-in" quality is often missing from modern films that rely solely on green screens.

The Timeless Aesthetic

The film's setting is a curious mix of 1950s nostalgia and modern elements. The costumes, the cars, and the architecture don't quite belong to a specific year, which gives the movie a "fairytale" quality. By avoiding contemporary trends of 1997, the filmmakers ensured the movie wouldn't feel dated twenty years later.

Comparing Adaptations: 1997 vs. Arrietty vs. 2011

The story of the Borrowers is so resilient that it has been reimagined multiple times, each with a distinct tone.

Studio Ghibli’s Arrietty (2010)

Directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and written by Hayao Miyazaki, The Secret World of Arrietty is perhaps the most faithful to the melancholic and quiet tone of Mary Norton's original novels. While the 1997 film is a high-energy comedy, Arrietty is a meditative exploration of nature, friendship, and the transience of life. The animation captures the beauty of the tiny world in a way live-action cannot, focusing on the sound of a single raindrop or the texture of a leaf.

The 2011 BBC Television Film

This version, starring Christopher Eccleston and Stephen Fry, took a more "urban" and slightly darker approach. It modernized the setting significantly, featuring the Borrowers living in a world of digital technology and modern city life. While it was well-received for its acting, it lacked the whimsical "storybook" charm that made the 1997 version a household staple.

Is the 1997 Borrowers Movie Good for All Ages?

Unlike some family films that cater exclusively to young children, The Borrowers (1997) has a sophisticated wit that appeals to adults. The humor is layered; there is the slapstick for the kids and dry, satirical British humor for the parents.

The film was nominated for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards in 1998, a testament to its quality. Critics at the time, including Roger Ebert, praised it for its visual ingenuity. Ebert noted that the film's special effects were so amusing it felt like "Toy Story has come to life."

Where was The Borrowers (1997) filmed?

The film's unique look was achieved by shooting on location in the UK. Many of the exterior scenes were filmed in the village of Theale, near Reading, Berkshire. To create the heightened reality of the film, the production team actually painted the buildings and shops on the high street a dark green. Other scenes were filmed at Ealing Studios in London, which has a long history of producing classic British comedies.

What is the Central Theme of The Borrowers?

At its heart, the Borrowers movie is about the resilience of the marginalized. The Clock family represents those who live on the fringes of society, surviving through ingenuity and bravery. The conflict with Potter is a classic "David vs. Goliath" story, where the smallest members of society must stand up against corporate greed and the threat of displacement. It’s a story about the importance of "home," no matter how small that home might be.

Why haven't we seen a new Borrowers movie recently?

There have been occasional reports of Universal Pictures or other major studios working on a new live-action reboot. However, the shadow of the 1997 version and the critical acclaim of Arrietty make it a difficult property to revisit. The 1997 film captured a specific magic of practical filmmaking that is hard to replicate in the era of pure CGI. Nevertheless, the themes of the Borrowers remain universal, and it is likely only a matter of time before a new generation of filmmakers attempts to bring the Clock family back to the big screen.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Borrowers Movie

Who played Pea Green in the 1997 Borrowers movie?

Pea Green Clock was played by Tom Felton. This was one of his earliest film roles before he gained international fame as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series.

Is The Borrowers (1997) based on a true story?

No, it is based on the fantasy novel The Borrowers by Mary Norton, published in 1952. The concept of tiny people living in our houses is a work of fiction meant to explain why small household items (like socks or needles) always seem to go missing.

Is the Ghibli movie Arrietty the same as The Borrowers?

Yes, The Secret World of Arrietty (2010) is an animated adaptation of the same source material (Mary Norton's first book). While the plot is similar, the tone and setting (Japan instead of England) are different.

What happened to the villain Ocious P. Potter?

At the end of the 1997 film, Potter is defeated by the Borrowers and arrested by the police after the missing will is found. During the end credits, he is shown being processed at the police station, still ranting about the existence of "tiny people."

What age is the 1997 Borrowers movie suitable for?

The film is rated PG. It is generally suitable for all ages, though it contains some "mild peril" and slapstick violence that might be slightly intense for very young toddlers.

Summary of The Borrowers Movie History

The legacy of the Borrowers movie is one of imagination and wonder. Whether you prefer the slapstick energy of the 1997 live-action version or the hand-drawn beauty of Studio Ghibli’s interpretation, the story of the Clock family continues to resonate. It reminds us that even in a world that feels too big and overwhelming, small things—and small people—can make a massive difference.