Fairy Tale - A True Story
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Movie Reviews of Fairy Tale - A True Story
Movie Review: "Fairy Tale: A True Story" Is About BELIEF! And A Delight For All Ages With Fine Performances--Including A Mel Gibson Cameo!
Summary: 5 Stars
As a Peter O'Toole fan I ran across this film and held it in my basket for close to a year, until I finally purchased it--and I am very pleased with my choice. My decision was based primarily on the Wikipedia introduction:
"Fairy Tale: A True Story" is a 1997 film from Paramount Pictures, very loosely based on the legend of the Cottingley Fairies [See Wikipedia for the "real" story]. It was directed by Charles Sturridge and starred Peter O'Toole and Harvey Keitel, with Florence Hoath and Elizabeth Earl as the girls, Elsie and Francis, Phoebe Nicholls and Paul McGann as the parents, Polly and Arthur Wright, and a brief cameo at the end of the film by Mel Gibson. Much of it was shot on location in the Cottingley area. The cinematography is by Michael Coulter the art direction is by Sam Riley."
I am always interested in movies based on "real" stories, and having O'Toole, Keitel, and Gibson in it was a clincher for me to go ahead and buy the movie (it is not available for rent in Helena; and on-line rentals get damaged by the USPS).
While my children are grown and I had to watch the film by myself, I was fully engaged in the film the entire time. My only complaint--as I have with so many movies--is that the sound track is too loud for me to distinctly hear the voices; especially with the "English" accents. While O'Toole's performance, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was his up to his usual excellence, at times he seemed like he was not always "into" the role--almost distant. On the other hand, Harvey Keitel, as the audacious Harry Houdini, was an absolute joy to watch--he was no "heavy" in this film. The special effects were nicely integrated, and added to the story of Elsie Wrigth (Florence Hoath) and her cousin Frances Griffiths (Elizabeth Earl), whose faith in "guardian angels," "fairies," and such "children's" fancies restores hope to Frances' grieving parents over the death of her brother, to a war torn England, and to the young Elsie that her father will return. The real surprise performance was the brief cameo at the end of the film by Mel Gibson, as Elsie's returning father. Gibson is spectacular at "bring home" or delivering the perfect tone to such roles. It was like: "Can this get any better?"
Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
Movie Review: Well made, excellent plot, for young and old alike
Summary: 5 Stars
Although based in somewhat of a loose fashion upon an incident in the early 20th Century, the movie uses a good storyline and limited special effects to bring a universal tale of hope, faith, friendship, and trusting and believing in others. Movies, as well as books, that delve with past history have a way of having "artistic license" created in order to make the story more palatable, create a better storyline, or simply to sell more to an audience; this loose interpretation on that 1917 incident is no different. Where it differs from many other reinterpretation of facts is that it presents the story in a postive light, giving quality lessons not only for the younger audiences, but to remind the older viewers of, perhaps, some of the lessons we may have learned when we were young but have forgotten (or perhaps never learned). The few negative comments I have seen from this movie have their expectations in a fast moving, philisophically empty, visually charged piece of entertainment that moves with special effects rather than good dialogue and subliminal lessons of life. I would highly recommend this to younger audiences as quality entertainment with important messages, and to older audiences, who would be receptive to reaching out for, perhaps, a childhood experience lost, or to renew hope or faith.
What I find interesting is that many of us have experiences we cannot explain, and discount, from childhood into adulthood, and we tend to rationalize them away, but many times, as adults, cannot explain nor discount when things happen that defy such rationalization or explanation.
Some of the more pleasant aspects of this movie was incorporating Houdini into the movie, using his dialogue to bring a message of integrity and hope concering the issues of the faeries, of the incorporated friendship of the two young lasses, of the doubts of the two adults that turn to belief, of the hopes instilled by a simple honest act without desire of profit or fame, of faith and immovable belief in something both ridiculed and dismissed, of a father's long journey home, and, of course, of growing up, and perhaps losing that innocence in the world and in all things. And an uplifting moment when the doubting, scheming reporter gets his "dues" when confronted with the supernatural when trying to sabotage the honest beliefs of the two young ladies.
As a final note, I found the "ending" to be very uplifting and, actually, quite a suprise. A pleasant one at that!
Movie Review: Never Try To Fool Children. They Expect Nothing And Therefore See Everything.
Summary: 5 Stars
Frances and her family are struggling to deal with the death of her brother Joseph. Joseph was the original believer of the fairies; he spoke of them drew them and passed on his love to his sister. Shortly before his death his parents felt it was time for him to grow up and forbad him to talk of the fairies. Frances still walks down to their creek in the hopes to see the fairies that seemed to have left with her brother.
When Elsie's father goes missing in France during WWI, she leaves Africa to join her cousin Frances, and her aunt Polly and uncle Arthur, in England. Elsie is the breath of fresh air this family desperately needs. Elsie shares Frances' love of fairies and refuses to believe that they left when Joseph passed away. It isn't long before both the girls discover their winged friends.
While Polly and Arthur both try to dissuade the girls from their beliefs in fairies, Polly at the same time is searching for proof of Angels. She is seeking some comfort and peace with her son's death. That's when Elsie suggests that she and Frances photograph the fairies to help her aunt believe.
When their photographs reach the public, these two little girls embark on a magnificent journey of discovery, skepticism and faith; making believers out of the biggest doubters. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini play intricate roles in the girls' lives.
I watched this movie with my 4 year old son and husband; I was concerned it was going to be a little too old for my son, and a little too young for my husband. We all loved it. The acting, by everyone, is superb and the two little girls are enchanting. This movie was beyond magical, beyond beautiful, beyond heartwarming. It is a powerful tale of faith, joy, innocence and fantasy. More importantly it shows us how believing in something, no matter how fanciful, can help to mend and bring peace to wounded hearts.
So the next time you walk in your yard or work in your gardens, be on the lookout for your fairies... You might even want to leave them a little cake.
Fairy Houses ... Everywhere! (Fairy Houses) (The Fairy Houses Series) (The Fairy Houses Series)
The Secret of Roan Inish
Movie Review: "If You Believe in Fairies...Clap Your Hands!"
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw "Fairy Tale - A True Story", when it had it's theatrical release and I was utterly charmed and moved by this wonderful movie. I am so glad that it has finally been released to the DVD format.The story is based upon the true life events surrounding the famous and sensational 'Cottingly fairies photographs'.The film takes place during the dark days of WWI Britain. A young Elsie Wright (Florence Hoath) is sent off to live with relatives, because her father is 'missing in action'.Elsie becomes fast friends with her twelve year old, cousin, Frances (Elizebeth Earl) both of whom seem to have a playful fascination with the subject of fairies. One day the girls borrow an old camera and go off to a local brook to take pictures. When the photographs are later developed, they show images of what seem to be real, live fairies!Through a series of events the photographs fall into the famous hands of Sherlock Holmes Writer, Sir Author Conan Doyle (Pete O'Toole) and Magician & Escape Artist, Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel). Doyle publishes the photographs in a national magazine and causes a sensation throughout the country.Are the pictures real or did these two young girls pull off the hoax of the century? The movie puts it's own twist on the facts and attempts to come up with some very interesting answers.Director, Charles Sturridge and Screen Writer, Ernie Contreras have created a magical and moving film about the subject of faith. Sometimes if you believe in something hard enough, maby it can come true. This is found throughout the film. It applies to everything from the belief in the unseen (such as fairies, spirits of love ones), the return of a father, or even the faith needed to win a brutal war.The acting in this movie is splendid.I especially like the casting of the two girls (Florence Hoath & Elizebeth Earl). Even in the unusual situations, that occur, they both act like normal, everyday, children. Not a false note in their performances.The film's special effects are also great. They are well done and realistic (flying miniature fairies), yet do not overwhelm the story.This is greatly aided by cinematographer , Michael Coulter's beautiful photography, which highlights both the colors found in nature (the woods and brook) and the light and darkness of urban, Victorian England. All these elements come together to make a wonderful fantasy film, which I highly recommend!Movie Review: Faeries and girls. . .beautifully captured.
Summary: 5 Stars
We ordered this enchanting program in February. We have had many an occasion to view it, and yet we never tire of it at all.
On the contrary, we thoroughly enjoy it, and long to view it again.
Faeries and girls... Faery tales and stories, along with, especially girls, just seems fitting. Perhaps, in this case, it was
two girls in Yorkshire that captured photographs of them, and making them seem to connect with all girls. (Almost all.) Our
daughter was captivated by this program from start to finish. Not only was it our daughter, we too, being parents, were as
little children - captured and enchanted with this tranquil film.
The Cottingley Photographs, and the true account of what the girls (cousins) did during WWI, we are not too familiar with. We
are aware of the Cottingley Photographs and the girls, but that is all. So exactly how this film fits with what took place, we
cannot say. One thing we can, this film is heart-stirring and warming, not only for the children but adults too.
The two girls, the setting, the "beck" (stream), the houses, and all seems so realistic - not poorly done or overly done. The
nice thing here is, there are other things than only the faeries. Elsie's brother has already been laid to rest in a churchyard with headstone; her cousin's mother has passed away as well and her dad is missing in war action; they are still in
black mourning garments; were not suffered/permitted to go to the beck or speak of the faeries; also, Elsie's mother starts to
wonder about angels and faeries. Only a time or so is there bad language, but otherwise nothing to be alarmed by.
This is one of those films that makes you want to repeat it and repeat it. Never tiring of it, and probably will not. Very well
done in every aspect. Watch Elsie awaken from her bed in slumber, and finding the rafters filled with faeries, or the beck
(stream) scenes with the two girls - you may find yourself lost, as a child - in this compelling, relaxing, and tranquil film.
We recommend it - whether young or not!