In a shabby New York side street in the mid-1880s, young Cedric Errol lives with his mother (known only as Mrs. Errol or “Dearest”) in genteel poverty after the death of his father, Captain Cedric Errol. One day, they are visited by an English lawyer named Havisham with a message from Cedric’s grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, an unruly millionaire who despises America and was very disappointed when his youngest son married an American lady. With the deaths of his father’s elder brothers, Cedric has now inherited the title Lord Fauntleroy and is the heir to the earldom and a vast estate. Cedric’s grandfather wants him to live in England and be educated as an English aristocrat. He offers his son’s widow a house and guaranteed income, but he refuses to have anything to do with her, even after she declines his money. The Earl planned to teach his grandson how to be an aristocrat. Instead, Cedric teaches his grandfather that an aristocrat should practice compassion towards those dependent on him. He becomes the man Cedric always innocently believed him to be. Cedric is happily reunited with his mother and Mr. Hobbs, who decides to stay to help look after Cedric. The story ends at Christmastime and is a classic Christmas tale of innocence and good cheer!
A classic in every way! Alec Guinness and an outstanding cast are offset by the incomparable English country side. This is one of the best Christmas movies ever made. Full of the Christmas Spirit. If this movie doesn’t warm your heart, it’s made of stone! – Amazon reviewer
This movie is the ultimate in feel-good Christmas movies that has become an annual tradition in my family. – Amazon reviewer
Starring Alec Guinness, Ricky Schroder, Eric Porter, Colin Blakely, Connie Booth.
Note: Adapted from Frances Hodgeson Burnett’s classic novel, this is a family friendly made for television film with a timeless message.This link is for a Region 2 DVD. There is also a [Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936)](http://amzn.to/1IYQukW) starring Freddie Bartholomew, Dolores Costello, C. Aubrey Smith, Guy Kibbee, Henry Stephenson. The [Little Lord Fauntleroy (1995)](http://amzn.to/1M6lWOl), BBC TV mini-series adaptation by Julian Fellowes, starring Michael Benz in the title role and George Baker as the Earl is also available, but the story has been cut significantly for DVD from what originally aired.