Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia YA 1977 novel is a classic. One I never read when I was a kid, but I understand it’s quite beloved and indeed sacred to some — not the least of which is Paterson’s son David, for whom the book was written and who also shares a screenwriting credit on the film. So, everything had to be just right: from the human-being casting, to the use of special effects which help bring the fantasy kingdom of Terabithia to life.

When the movie came out on the big screen earlier this year every trailer, TV spot and preview showed trolls, ogres, and magical, spontaneously self-buildings bridges springing up. It looked like Lord of Rings on kiddie-safe steroids. But the movie itself isn’t about all that, which understandably wrought a bit of a backlash from those not familiar with the novel’s very real, grounded themes about regular kids and their very normal day-to-day struggles.

The story follows Jesse (Josh Hutcherson), a fifth-grader who’s not terribly popular. There is nothing wrong with him, but there’s nothing “right” either. He’s not outgoing, rich or popular, but he is something of an athlete — that is, until the new student in his class, a slip of a girl named Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) beats him in a footrace. At first, he holds a grudge but before long the two dreamy, artistic kids become best friends, and allies against the school’s bully brigade. Their secret refuge is a tree-house in the woods, a place Leslie calls Terabithia. The children imagine all sorts of wondrous and scary things there, in an attempt to free their minds from their otherwise troubled lives (Jesse’s parents are struggling financially, while only-child Leslie feels neglected by her busy dad and mom).

Since Disney optioned this book, you can bet there’s some tears to be jerked — but it’s an ultimately uplifting, beautiful and honest portrayal of life-lessons learnt in childhood. Hutcherson and Robb are very well-cast and their acting is pretty much flawless (none of the “cutesy” or “obnoxious” child-actor antics here). Real kudos go to director Gabor Csupo, who not only grasped (as best as I can tell) the source material, but added cinematic dimension to it for those who are not familiar with the novel. (I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with his next project, The Moon Princess — based on a book I did read, and loved!, as a child: The Little White Horse, by Elizabeth Goudge).

The DVD offers an array of extras (and nice supplements, such as closed captions for the hearing-impaired), my favorite of which was a solid featurette on Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia novel. It offers interviews not only with the author herself, but insight from teachers who’ve assigned the book to their classes over the years, plus excerpts from the text and illustrations.

Over all, Bridge to Terabithia is a definite must-buy DVD for kids and Disney-weaned adults alike.