Bridge to Terabithia (film) Jess Aarons is a young outsider on a quest to become the fastest kid in his school. But when the new girl in town, Leslie Burke, leaves Jess and everyone else in her dust, Jess’s frustration with her ultimately leads to their becoming friends. At first it seems Jess and Leslie couldn’t be more different—she’s rich, he’s poor; she’s from the city, he’s from the country—but when Leslie begins to open up the world of imagination to Jess, they find they have something amazing to share: the kingdom of Terabithia, a realm of giants, ogres, and other enchanted beings that can only be accessed by boldly swinging across a stream in the woods on a strand of rope. Here, Leslie and Jess rule as King and Queen among the fantastical creatures they create, and not even the forces of evil can break their bond. Now, no matter what happens in the real world, in Terabithia Leslie gives Jess a magical place that will always be filled with amazing stories and dreams. Released on February 16, 2007. Directed by Gabor Csupo. From Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media. Stars Joshua Ryan Hutcherson (Jess Aarons), AnnaSophia Robb (Leslie Burke), Zooey Deschanel (Miss Edmonds), Robert Patrick (Jack Aarons). 96 min. Based on the 1978 Newbery Medal-winning book by Katherine Paterson. The film was shot on location in the forests of New Zealand; visual effects were created by Weta Digital Ltd. of Wellington.
