The Young Visiters

The Young Visiters

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Editorial Reviews

Academy Award-winner Jim Broadbent stars as Alfred Salteena, 'an elderly man of 42,' who falls in love with young Ethel Monticue at first sight. To impress her, he treats Ethel to a visit at the sumptuous country house of Lord Bernard Clark, the only lord Alf actually knows. Their ensuing adventures in London's colorful high society reveal the young author's alarmingly keen insights into class, the foolishness of adults and the power that young girls have over men.

DVD Features:
Biographies:Cast/Author bio screens
Featurette:Behind-the-scenes featurette

This peculiar and delightful BBC movie springs from an equally peculiar and delightful novel written in 1890 by a 9-year-old girl and published with her spelling left uncorrected--hence the title, The Young Visiters. Mr. Alfred Salteena (Jim Broadbent, Topsy-Turvy) falls in love with an ambitious young beauty named Ethel (Lyndsey Marshal, The Hours), who only agrees to visit the clumsy and unctuous Alfred if he introduces her to nobility. Alfred cajoles an invitation from Lord Bernard Clark (Hugh Laurie, Stuart Little), whose own interest in Ethel leads him to send Alfred off for lessons in manners, launching Alfred on his own road to high status. The story's mixture of offhand naivete and precocious insights into class results in something daft, funny, and thoroughly charming. Also featuring a delicious turn by Bill Nighy (Love Actually) as the earl who agrees to "rub up" Alfred. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews

Family Entertainment at its Best

Reviewed by R. Crane, 2009-02-02

It is incredible yet true that "The Young Visiters" was based on a book written by a nine year old in 1890 in twelve days. To be so young and have such sophisticated ability, both as a writer and as a social observer, is remarkable.

This is a charming, family oriented movie that is not a Disney production. It is a "feel good" heart-warming story about a lonely "old" man, Alfred "Alf" Salteena, (age 42) and an ambitious social climber, Ethel Montacue. Alf and Ethel meet on a train, and he deliberately entices her by implying that he hob-nobs with royalty and nobility. Nothing could be farther from the truth as he is in fact a butcher's son, lacking proper manners, etiquette and at a loss what to do or say in almost any social situation. However, he is willing to do whatever it takes to attract and marry Ethel.

Ethel decides to visit him for the purpose of meeting eligible nobility, and in turn he keeps his promise by contacting an earl and arranging for them to visit his palatial estate. Through this connection, everyone's life is changed in unexpected and enchanting ways.

This movie is a wonderful experience and should be enjoyed by all ages. Bill Nighy and Hugh Laurie's performances add sparkle to the story. Whether it is true to the book or as good as a previous version, is irrelevant. On its own it is a marvelous way to spend a few hours.

The Young Visiters HUGH LAURIE!

Reviewed by Abigail Stone, 2008-06-11

The young visiters is based on a book by a nine year old victorian girl. I have not read the book so I cannot say if the movie lived up to it or not, but I loved this little movie. I bought it because it stars Hugh Laurie, my favorite fellow of the day, and he is wonderful in it. The other actors are fine too, terrifically peculiar... especially the wealthy alcoholic friend of the Prince. This is not a movie with a giant storyline but more of a collection of weird and wonderful characters and strange scenes. It really gives the feeling of being seen thru the eyes of a child.

Quirky Film sure to please Hugh Laurie fans

Reviewed by Anne Russell, 2007-11-04

The Young Visiters (sic), or Mr. Salteena's Plan has a great cast of talented BBC actors that includes Hugh Laurie (from HOUSE), Jim Broadbent, Lyndsey Marshal (of HBO's Rome) and Bill Nighy - who needs no introduction. Filmed in 2003, this story comes to us via a true novella written by a nine year old girl, Daisy Ashford, who wrote the story in just twelve days in 1890. Though the plot is indeed slightly naive, what is so engaging about this film is the complexity of a very adult-like love-triangle. I was astounded to think that a child would be capable of building such an interesting protagonist who, thwarted by his circumstances and class, manages to find love - albeit in a fatalistic way. To think that at nine, Daisy Ashford understood the realities of class in a way that lesser works by many professional writers do, quite frankly, shocked me. I was really impressed by this story...all in all, definitely worth watching. I highly recommend it.

Old World Innocense and charm

Reviewed by J. A. Tibbetts, 2007-10-25

What a delightful movie. To think the book was penned by a 9 year old English girl in 12days and has never been out of print.I bought the movie because I love Jim Broadbent,he plays the old gentleman of 42. It was very amusing and is a safe bet for young and old audiences alike.

Truly Original

Reviewed by T. Singh, 2006-01-25

When I first heard of this story through watching the US version of BBC I knew I had to watch carefully so I wouldn't miss the show! I'm so glad to be able to get this on DVD. The story is absolutely charming. I love the scene where Ethel is dancing with the three young men. I also enjoyed watching actors who aren't all Hollywood plastic. Ethel has got to be four and a half feet tall or maybe she's exactly 5 ft. I love one of the last lines. "Ethel grew quite a buldgy figure but her husband loved her anyway." Charming!