Heidi’s Song 1982

An orphaned girl named Heidi, Margery Grey, is sent to live with her paternal grandfather, Lorne Greene, in the Swiss Alps after her maternal Aunt Dete, who has cared for her since infancy, arranges the arrangement. At first, the grandfather resents the intrusion because Heidi’s lively presence unsettles his routine. But when he injures his leg, Heidi steps in to nurse him back to health, and the two form a warm, growing bond as they spend days among the lush meadows and the village goats. Heidi befriends a local goatherd, Peter, and together they accompany the goats on daily grazing trips higher into the mountains, where the air feels pure and the horizon seems endless. Peter, Roger DeWitt, is kind and adventurous, and his companionship helps Heidi see the world beyond his grandfather’s hillside home.

One day, Aunt Dete arrives to take Heidi away again, telling her that a wealthy family in Frankfurt wants her to come live with them. The Grandfather reluctantly lets her go. In Frankfurt, Heidi learns she will become the companion to a wealthy but invalid girl named Klara, Pamelyn Ferdin. Fräulein Rottenmeier, the governess and guardian, Joan Gerber, disapproves of Heidi’s country manners, while Klara grows fond of her and even gifts Heidi a basket of kittens, brightening her days. But when Rottenmeier discovers the kittens, she locks Heidi in the rat-infested basement.

Peter and the country animals come to Heidi’s rescue. Together with Klara, they flee to the Wunderhorn, a mountain retreat, without telling Rottenmeier. Klara’s father returns home after being away on business and learns of Heidi’s disappearance, and he hurries after them. Rottenmeier and the butler, Sebastian, Fritz Feld seize the opportunity to escape.

The trio climbs the mountain, though Klara must pause on the way so Heidi can run ahead. Heidi, full of joy, is joyfully reunited with her Grandfather on the hillside. On the return journey, Klara’s kitten, Snowball, is attacked by a hawk. Klara crawls out of her wheelchair and uses a stick to fend off the bird, discovering that she can stand. Her father arrives to share in the relief, and the family celebrates Klara’s regained mobility along with Heidi’s safe return.