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When her father is declared missing in action during World War I, Elsie Wrigth (Florence Hoath) goes to live in England with her cousin Frances Griffiths (Elizabeth Earl) for whom the topic of fairies is forbidden. Immediately, the girls discover the winged creatures in the garden and photograph them for Frances's startled parents. This leads to another kind of adventure for the girls. They become the toasts of London as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) and Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), who have seen the photographs, escort them around town. Mildly villainous reporters chase the girls and curious spectators invade their garden after the pictures are printed publicly.

Although fairies are the visible subjects, the enchanting video is really about faith. Frances's parents (Phoebe Nicholls and Paul McGann) recently lost their son, Joseph, who had originally discovered the fairies and would like to think he may be an angel. Sir Arthur also lost his son and is courted by clairvoyants who claim they can talk to the boy. Elsie waits patiently for her father to come home, although it appears hopeless that he will. Harry Houdini is an illusionist but acts against the fraudulent claims of greedy mediums and the like. They are all touched by a need to truly believe in what remains hidden. The story is very loosely based on an early 20th-century controversy involving the real Frances and Elsie who faked pictures of fairies similar to the ones in the video. The real girls never confessed, but the video suggests the manner in which the real life photos may have been produced. --Margaret Griffis ... Read more

Reviews (36)

"If You Believe in Fairies...Clap Your Hands!"
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!

"Fairytale:A True Story" absolutely wonderful-A MUST SEE!
For young and old alike,this delightful film has it all! Based on the true story of two young girls who claim to have seen fairies in England during WW1,"Fairytale:A True Story" features superb acting throughout,especially Elizabeth Earl and Florence Hoath as Francis Griffiths and Elsie Wright, whose fairy sightings stir up quite a bit of controversy throughout wartime England. Among the people caught up in the excitement are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,brilliantly portrayed by Peter O"Toole and Harry Houdini,featuring Harvey Keitel in one of his finest performances. Paul McGann and Phobe Nicols are also wonderful as Elsie's parents. I really can't say enough about this film. Brilliantly cast and beautifully photographed,it is enchanting entertainment from beginning to end. The film score is even well worth the price if you can still find the CD! This film is not your average children's movie and I have read alot of reviews that ask weather this film was aimed at children or adults.This could very well be why it was not more of a commercial success.A pity, because I believe this film offers something for all ages.I also regret that I have not seen Florence Hoath in many other roles,save for "The Governess" and I haven't seen Elizabeth Earl at all-they deserve more recognition!

Don't Let This One Pass By
This amazing film is about two little girls who, with no photographic experience, take photos of Fairies. Kodak examines the photos and says they are untouched, but refuses to acknowledge the existance if these little sprites. In come two of my personal heroes, Sherlock Holmes, because he believes the girls, and Harry Houdini, because he dosn't believe them.
But, reguardless, if you believe, you will be facinated. If you do not believe, you might, just for a moment, question that belief.
Either way, do NOT miss this film!

HORRIBLE
if youre getting this movie for your kid, or any kid, save them the misery. i remember seeing this movie the day it came out, and it was so awful i fell asleep, along with about 5 other kids in the theater. it was by far the WORST movie i have ever seen in my entire life, even worse than that planet of the apes movie. and trust me, i have seen almost every movie that comes out. spare your kids the pain and spare yourself some money. DONT get this movie for them.

Charming little movie
This movie is a gentle story, one that the whole family can watch. Doesn't have much in the way of action, vulgarity or even scimpily dressed faires. The fairies are not a huge part of this story anyway. The story is about two young cousins who concoct a tale about some fairy sightings. This "true" story happened during WWI in England. The story also shows what happens to a small country town when they receive some unwanted publicity after the girls' photos are anonymously published in a leading magazine. It is an interesting tale, charming and cute. People who like trashy, faster movies won't like this one. ... Read more

Reviews (206)

Enjoyable!
Don't listen to all the bashers of this film who criticize it because it isn't 100% accurate to the book. This is an elitist view from a bunch of purists who don't have a grasp of what film making is supposed to be about. In the beggining titles the movie blatantly states that the movie is based on the book "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen as well as her own life.

Mansfield Park is a story about a young girl Fanny Price who goes to live with her rich relatives. But instead of being accepted by her relatives as one of their own. She is mostly used as domestic help especially by her Aunt Norris (a character which JK Rowling borrowed in Harry Potter)whose only esteem in the entire movie comes from bullying poor Fanny. The only person who is kind to Fanny is her cousin Edmund. Fanny grows actually to fall in love with Edmond but can do nothing about it because they are out of each others social circle. During the course of the movie a diletante brother and sister moves into the neighborhood and have wide spread reprocussions on Fanny and Edmond. There is also a bit of social commentary on slavery and how the family supports iself. Tom's drawing of the treatment of the slaves are horrifying, but true to form. African slaves who were brought to the Americas were treated worse than animals, and it is remarkable how this has not been addressed yet.

I really enjoyed this movie very much. Not so much from the story itself but from the solid acting and the feelings that are shown. I especially loved Francis O'Connor (Fanny) and Alexandro Nivola (Henry) I think that they had very strong chemistry and played well to each other. The only problem I had was tha the ending was way too contrived, The makers seemed to give Henry a blatant flaw simply to throw Fanny and Edmond together.

If are looking for a dissertation on Mansfield Park then perhaps this movie is not for you. You might do much better taking an English Litterature class. But on the other hand if you are looking for a good costume Drama with solid acting, then don't miss Mansfield Park.

Dare I say better than the book?
When I first saw this film, it bothered me a bit that it wasn't faithful to Jane Austen's original. But upon reflection and a few more viewings, I fell completely in love with it. Rozema has made a remarkable achievement, seamlessly blending Austen's novel, letters and journals into a more compelling story, while also adapting it for modern sensibilities. While I love the novel, the film Mansfield Park tackles so much more than the "manuevering business" of marriage and societal mores that Austen's novels are singularly concerned with. It harshly examines the strict limitations that women, especially poor women must endure and takes a rare look at how slavery benefitted the British Empire. All this serious stuff aside, the film also has plenty of comedic moments. The dim Mr. Rushworth and his bouffant provide some laughs, as does Fanny's attitude toward courtship, balls and her money-grubbing cousins. And don't miss the doped-up Lady Bertram. The entire cast is excellent, and Frances O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller make a sweet and aesthetically pleasing couple. For all us girls, Miller and Alessandro Nivola make an already great film even more of a pleasure to watch. The only Austen film to which this measures up is Sense and Sensibility (though I adore all the films, of course, being an Austen buff). The costumes, the cinematography, the breathtaking shots of the English countryside and of course the beautiful soundtrack round out this rich confection of a movie. Watch it now!

Emotion in Neon, Austen style
I just saw Mansfield Park on DVD (which is average in terms of DVDs. Not extensive at all, but does really well with what it gives you). I think it's becoming my favorite Jane Austen movie, even over the beloved Sense and Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. It's not as finely crafted as others, but I think what I love so much about it is how VIVID it is, emotionally, visually, thematically. It's very passionate and alive. It's more colorful, darker, deeper than most period films, just because it takes off a top layer of gloss and polish, and it doesn't lose that definite delightful Austen humor and bite. It's more at ease with itself, lacks some reverence, and even brings some techniques more associated with modern movies, and all this, although used carefully and even minimally, serves the film well.

I love how they tell a lot of it visually, I just fell into the film during some scenes, it's mezmerizing; and some shots and scenes are just bursting off the screen. But this is one of those movies where the cinematography really works for the story as opposed to being something to stare at as a separate entity. The film being a character drama, over and over in scene after scene it works to enhance the story of these characters.

And the best thing is how you FEEL these characters, the tension and heartache etc. is so palpable, more than most period films, probably because this strips away a very fine layer of "preciousness" and lets the characters really breath and be realistic people, in fact there are points where the film tries to show us some of the grittier realities of the time, but all this done without ever losing the FAMILIAR historical context and setting. Now, some films go hog wild in the other direction, which can also be alienating if not done correctly because it makes it feel too much like we are watching a modern people in old clothes and that doesn't do justice to the people of the period. We have to understand them at their own level, but often the expanse of time can cause a communication gap, if you will. In this film, the vividness of the inner world of these characters is what counters the "period" setting of the film. It's a perfect balance. We are always firmly within the era, the historical setting, but completely taken with these characters and their feelings and the sparks in the air, we are all on a level where we can relate to each other clearly. This is thanks to fine, emotionally lucid acting from the cast (Frances O'Connor, gasp! I bow down to thee m'lady) an amazing writing and directing job by Patricia Rozema, and I have to say the brilliant, brilliant cinematography by Michael Coulter. Wow. And I have to rave about the gorgeous score which I didn't actually realize how great it was until the end credits.

The only problems I think there are in this is that it could have done to have been longer in order to flesh out some parts and to just use the great vehicle they created to carry the story even further. And I think it would have done to have slight fine tuning in terms of some of the writing and some specific shots (some of which kind of earmark it as "Indie! Indie!"). And I'm no expert on regency, but I don't think the costumes looked entirely right. But all in all, undoubtedly one of the best movies I've seen.

I guess I'm no Austin purist.
Besides the heavy splits from Jane Austin's novel, I think this movie is absolutely wonderful. The characters are some of my favorites. I love Jane Austin novels, but I also believe that some license can be taken without offending anyone. I really don't think Alexandre Dumas would sue the recent movie portrayal of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (starring Jim Caviezel) which was almost completely opposite of his novel. If movies were exactly like books, then I wouldn't really have a desire to see them. It's much more fun for me when I've read the book and I sit down to watch the movie and it throws me a curveball. It puts the book in a different light and I see things from a different perspective. THEN I choose which one I like. It was the same for GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and I like both versions of the story. Life's too short to nit-pick about this kind of stuff. Live it up! Love the book AND the movie!

Mansfield Park (1999)
This was not my favorite Austen book. Fanny Price is a
pretty dull, overly moralistic character. The movie jazzes up
up this little family scene with issues like the dubious
origins of the family fortune but takes away from Austen's
story. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

"You'll rot there with all the other loonies."
Bobby Platt (Christian Bale) is the surviving heir to the Platt department store and the fortune that accompanies it. When Bobby's mother dies, he's left in the care of his stepfather Bernard de Winter (Daniel Benzali) also known as 'the Fat'. Thanks to a childhood head injury, Bobby isn't 'normal', and his nasty stepfather tries to take advantage of Bobby by pressuring him to sign away his inheritance. Bobby resists, and his stepfather reacts cruelly. Frightened and confused, Bobby runs away into the countryside. Here he meets a peculiar hermit, Mr. Summers (John Hurt) who's dedicated to protecting wildlife and burying road kill. Bobby relates to Summers as they share similar values.

The film's breathtaking scenery and superior acting elevate the film from its somewhat mediocre plot. Hurt is an incredible actor, and I have tremendous respect of his abilities. However, Bale's performance is the truly noteworthy element in this film. The film is allegorical, and as such it also gains a curiosity factor. Allegory just isn't fashionable any more, and often justifiably so. The allegorical elements are interesting, but not enough to really energize my interest beyond the lukewarm.

On the negative side, for about the first third of this film, I had the feeling that I was watching some sort of perverse version of "Annie". You may remember that film--little orphan redhead adopted by shiny bald millionaire, Daddy Warbucks. In "All the Little Animals", the nasty stepfather looks like Daddy Warbuck's long-lost evil twin brother. That unavoidable fact, combined with the whole orphan thing, tainted my viewing. In addition, the ending was a huge disappointment for me. The film really had some interesting things to say about human isolation--those of us who do not relate well to other humans often relate extremely well to animals. The film illustrates the healing effects of animal companionship. On the reverse side, of course, cruelty towards animals shows the shriveled side of human nature. This is all charming, etc, but the horribly violent ending while underscoring the film's basic message created an uglier film as a result. I found the ending implausible and out-of-place--displacedhuman.

"Of All the Animals, The Cruelest is Man."
After his mother dies, Bobby Platt (Christian Bale), a mentally slow 24 year old, is at the mercy of his mentally/emotionally abusive stepfather (Daniel Benzali), aka 'the Fat,' as Bobby nicknames him. When the Fat kills his pet mouse and then threatens to institutionalize him, Bobby runs away from London to Cornwall and ends up in the company of an eccentric man, Mr. Summers (John Hurt), who lets him join in his "work," which consists of scraping up roadkill and burying their bodies nearby (though they really should have buried them *away* from the roads to prevent scavengers from getting run over as well. But, anyway, that's beside the point.) Mr. Summers also helps Bobby sort out the situation with his stepfather, though the confrontation ends in tragedy.

The message in "All the Little Animals" is an obvious one just by reading the tagline. However, if they were trying to make an connection between humans against nature and, in turn, humans against each other, it doesn't really work (save for perhaps the Fat), since Mr. Summers, for one, respects nature, yet hates humans. This is explained later when he confesses to Bobby a dark secret of why he lives such a nomadic existence, contrary to his vow to never kill. And even Bobby, being the gentler of the two, breaks this vow, in a way, at the end.

The cast is really good, though the story is kind of predictable (most of the time I could guess what was going to happen beforehand); but, overall, this was a good British drama. Rated R for some violence, which is mostly done to humans.

An Allegorical Masterpiece
After accidentally stumbling upon this movie on the Sundance channel, I instantly fell in love with its mysterious and allegorical nature. Subsequently, I proceeded to purchase the book (by Walker Hamilton), which, in my opinion, is much better than the movie. When one ponders the meaning of "allegory", we automatically think of George Orwell's famous novel "Animal Farm". However, unlike Orwell's book, "All the Little Animals" contains more subtle insights into the forces of Good and Evil in life. This is probably the reason why the film and the book have slipped by virtually unnoticed in the world of great English literature. In fact, it was quite hard finding a copy of the book which I had to order it off of ..."Out of Print" section. All in all, this story has a powerful and haunting message, which can be credited to Walker Hamilton's brilliantly simple but amazingly complex writing style.
I believe Walker Hamilton's allegorical message is especially geared towards those of an intellectual nature-- separate from the corrupted minds of the masses. It calls out to all the Mr. Sommers in the world, all who are ostracized from society for refusing to uphold social conformities, beckoning them to watch over and care for "all the little animals" (which are the innocent souls such as Bobby Platt). We must be on guard then, ready to resist the wicked acts of those who harm innocent life (The Fat)-- always remembering all the little animals....

disappointing adaptation
The film not only didn't do justice to the book but also lost the feel, the atmosphere and the message. Christian Bale, a fine actor, is horribly mis-cast. Some key scenes were lost from the book and I question the choices made by the writer and/or director with regards to this. Obvious commercial decisions caused this film to lack the emotive power that was so evident in the novel. Read the book, forget the film.

Rediscovering "All the Little Animals"
I was flipping idly around the movie channels one Sunday in May 2002, and paused on a scene of two men walking through beautiful rural countryside. Something about this seemed to remind me of something. I continued watching, and when the topic of burying roadkill came up, I was hit all at once with the memory of a book I'd read in the early 70s when a young teen. I checked the info channel - sure enough, this was a movie version of that book, written by British author Hamilton. The book had been such a favorite of mine at that time that I'd re-read it a number of times and now, as I watched the movie, small passages and bits of dialog came rushing back. The oddest, most miraculous thing was that until this accidental discovery of the movie, I don't think I'd given a thought to the book in more than 20 years, even though it had been such a favorite. I thought the movie was fantastic. I kept thinking, How right for this to be made into a movie at this time in history, when animal rights issues and abuse-of-the environment issues concern so many people the world over. Christian Bale did a fine job, is very easy on the eyes, and is, I was charmed to learn, a supporter of animal rights. I thought the ending hooked up pretty well with the rest of the film. There was plenty of foreshadowing that the stepfather character was going to need confronting, and even if we sympathize with Mr. Summers, we know that the laws of the universe and of good filmmaking require that he's going to have to pay for having been a robber and a murderer. At the film's end, Bobby has grown into his best possible self, having gotten rid of the great evil in his life and matured into being able to carry on Mr. Summer's "work". ... Read more

Description

This fun and sexy comedy tells a timelessly entertaining story where wealth, secret passions, and mischievous women put love to the test ... with delightfully surprising results! When a spirited young woman, Fanny Price, is sent away to live on the great country estate of her rich cousins, she's meant to learn the ways of proper society. But while Fanny learns "their" ways, she also enlightens them with a wit and sparkle all her own! Featuring an exciting ensemble cast of young stars -- you'll join critics everywhere in their overwhelming praise of this smart, playful, and funny hit! ... Read more

Reviews (206)

Enjoyable!
Don't listen to all the bashers of this film who criticize it because it isn't 100% accurate to the book. This is an elitist view from a bunch of purists who don't have a grasp of what film making is supposed to be about. In the beggining titles the movie blatantly states that the movie is based on the book "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen as well as her own life.

Mansfield Park is a story about a young girl Fanny Price who goes to live with her rich relatives. But instead of being accepted by her relatives as one of their own. She is mostly used as domestic help especially by her Aunt Norris (a character which JK Rowling borrowed in Harry Potter)whose only esteem in the entire movie comes from bullying poor Fanny. The only person who is kind to Fanny is her cousin Edmund. Fanny grows actually to fall in love with Edmond but can do nothing about it because they are out of each others social circle. During the course of the movie a diletante brother and sister moves into the neighborhood and have wide spread reprocussions on Fanny and Edmond. There is also a bit of social commentary on slavery and how the family supports iself. Tom's drawing of the treatment of the slaves are horrifying, but true to form. African slaves who were brought to the Americas were treated worse than animals, and it is remarkable how this has not been addressed yet.

I really enjoyed this movie very much. Not so much from the story itself but from the solid acting and the feelings that are shown. I especially loved Francis O'Connor (Fanny) and Alexandro Nivola (Henry) I think that they had very strong chemistry and played well to each other. The only problem I had was tha the ending was way too contrived, The makers seemed to give Henry a blatant flaw simply to throw Fanny and Edmond together.

If are looking for a dissertation on Mansfield Park then perhaps this movie is not for you. You might do much better taking an English Litterature class. But on the other hand if you are looking for a good costume Drama with solid acting, then don't miss Mansfield Park.

Dare I say better than the book?
When I first saw this film, it bothered me a bit that it wasn't faithful to Jane Austen's original. But upon reflection and a few more viewings, I fell completely in love with it. Rozema has made a remarkable achievement, seamlessly blending Austen's novel, letters and journals into a more compelling story, while also adapting it for modern sensibilities. While I love the novel, the film Mansfield Park tackles so much more than the "manuevering business" of marriage and societal mores that Austen's novels are singularly concerned with. It harshly examines the strict limitations that women, especially poor women must endure and takes a rare look at how slavery benefitted the British Empire. All this serious stuff aside, the film also has plenty of comedic moments. The dim Mr. Rushworth and his bouffant provide some laughs, as does Fanny's attitude toward courtship, balls and her money-grubbing cousins. And don't miss the doped-up Lady Bertram. The entire cast is excellent, and Frances O'Connor and Jonny Lee Miller make a sweet and aesthetically pleasing couple. For all us girls, Miller and Alessandro Nivola make an already great film even more of a pleasure to watch. The only Austen film to which this measures up is Sense and Sensibility (though I adore all the films, of course, being an Austen buff). The costumes, the cinematography, the breathtaking shots of the English countryside and of course the beautiful soundtrack round out this rich confection of a movie. Watch it now!

Emotion in Neon, Austen style
I just saw Mansfield Park on DVD (which is average in terms of DVDs. Not extensive at all, but does really well with what it gives you). I think it's becoming my favorite Jane Austen movie, even over the beloved Sense and Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. It's not as finely crafted as others, but I think what I love so much about it is how VIVID it is, emotionally, visually, thematically. It's very passionate and alive. It's more colorful, darker, deeper than most period films, just because it takes off a top layer of gloss and polish, and it doesn't lose that definite delightful Austen humor and bite. It's more at ease with itself, lacks some reverence, and even brings some techniques more associated with modern movies, and all this, although used carefully and even minimally, serves the film well.

I love how they tell a lot of it visually, I just fell into the film during some scenes, it's mezmerizing; and some shots and scenes are just bursting off the screen. But this is one of those movies where the cinematography really works for the story as opposed to being something to stare at as a separate entity. The film being a character drama, over and over in scene after scene it works to enhance the story of these characters.

And the best thing is how you FEEL these characters, the tension and heartache etc. is so palpable, more than most period films, probably because this strips away a very fine layer of "preciousness" and lets the characters really breath and be realistic people, in fact there are points where the film tries to show us some of the grittier realities of the time, but all this done without ever losing the FAMILIAR historical context and setting. Now, some films go hog wild in the other direction, which can also be alienating if not done correctly because it makes it feel too much like we are watching a modern people in old clothes and that doesn't do justice to the people of the period. We have to understand them at their own level, but often the expanse of time can cause a communication gap, if you will. In this film, the vividness of the inner world of these characters is what counters the "period" setting of the film. It's a perfect balance. We are always firmly within the era, the historical setting, but completely taken with these characters and their feelings and the sparks in the air, we are all on a level where we can relate to each other clearly. This is thanks to fine, emotionally lucid acting from the cast (Frances O'Connor, gasp! I bow down to thee m'lady) an amazing writing and directing job by Patricia Rozema, and I have to say the brilliant, brilliant cinematography by Michael Coulter. Wow. And I have to rave about the gorgeous score which I didn't actually realize how great it was until the end credits.

The only problems I think there are in this is that it could have done to have been longer in order to flesh out some parts and to just use the great vehicle they created to carry the story even further. And I think it would have done to have slight fine tuning in terms of some of the writing and some specific shots (some of which kind of earmark it as "Indie! Indie!"). And I'm no expert on regency, but I don't think the costumes looked entirely right. But all in all, undoubtedly one of the best movies I've seen.

I guess I'm no Austin purist.
Besides the heavy splits from Jane Austin's novel, I think this movie is absolutely wonderful. The characters are some of my favorites. I love Jane Austin novels, but I also believe that some license can be taken without offending anyone. I really don't think Alexandre Dumas would sue the recent movie portrayal of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (starring Jim Caviezel) which was almost completely opposite of his novel. If movies were exactly like books, then I wouldn't really have a desire to see them. It's much more fun for me when I've read the book and I sit down to watch the movie and it throws me a curveball. It puts the book in a different light and I see things from a different perspective. THEN I choose which one I like. It was the same for GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING and I like both versions of the story. Life's too short to nit-pick about this kind of stuff. Live it up! Love the book AND the movie!

Mansfield Park (1999)
This was not my favorite Austen book. Fanny Price is a
pretty dull, overly moralistic character. The movie jazzes up
up this little family scene with issues like the dubious
origins of the family fortune but takes away from Austen's
story. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the six-part British miniseries Ultraviolet, we discover that ultraviolet light is used (both in surgery and via high-tech weaponry) to identify people who have been infected with a disease labeled "Code V." It's transmitted via a bite to the neck, but at no point in the series is the word vampire used. Instead, in the second episode ("In Nomine Patris") the nickname "Leech" is introduced. We learn that it was this disease that was responsible for the fire of London, and that one in 20 people are already infected. In the opening episode, policeman Michael Colefield (Jack Davenport) is recruited into the secretive Complaints Investigation Bureau. He meets its introverted priest-chief Pearse (Philip Quast), the emotionally driven Dr. Angela March (Susannah Harker), and the bullish heavyweight Vaughan (Idris Elba). Spinning around Mike's suddenly complicated life are his best friend's jilted fiancée (Colette Brown) and an old flame (Fiona Dolman). In later hard-hitting episodes we see the stabbing murder of a teacher-priest by a 12-year-old boy ("Mea Culpa") and the capture of a Leech ("Persona Non Grata"). This intriguing series ends having tied together most of its threads, but dangles worrying implications at the viewer... not so much to suggest a sequel as to hammer home everything at stake. It played in America on the Sci Fi Channel. --Paul Tonks ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Current day twist on the ancient vampire myth...
An elite group in the police department are pursuing modern day vampires. But they aren't running around killing vampires with wooden stakes. This British "miniseries" (6 episodes) gives an updated twist to the old Vampire myths. For example, if a vampire can't be seen in a mirror, it stands to reason that he can't be seen on videotape. Hmmmm.... Provides a surveillance challenge!! Very inventive twists make Ultraviolet fascinating to watch!

However, it's not just the unique updating of the myth that makes this series a good watch. The story development is excellent, and the characters are very well played. Probably most familiar to US audiences will be Susannah Harker in a very different role from her portrayal of Jane in the BBC/A&E production of "Pride and Prejudice". She is excellent as the doctor in the group, focusing on the medical aspects of the vampire challenge.

Very different in style from the US shows "Kindred: The Embraced" (available on DVD) and "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer", Ultraviolet is more focused on the psychological than blood and guts. "Kindred" and "Buffy" are action fare, "Ultraviolet" is psychological fare. If you enjoy a psychological thriller with a little action thrown in and are intrigued by the Vampire myth, you will enjoy Ultraviolet.

amazon chose well
this DVD was recommended to me by amazon.com itself, and i must congratulate the system that brought this to my attention. any viewer will be quietly devastated that there are only 6 episodes of this series about a building war against vampires and humans. the concept itself has no shock value - we've seen the vampire myth done to death (so to speak) - but what will nab you is the brilliance of the characters, the actors, and the storyline. this is not comic book X-files fodder, with its glitzy special effects. this is drama, and literate drama at that. the interweaving of the characters tales and fates is remarkable for TV. but don't panic if you're the kind who shies away from drama. this isn't heavy. there's chills and spills aplenty for those who like their suspense and a few layers of depth for those who like more meat to their vampire stories. at its core, it is a drama about war, built up around the concept of vampires, and because it uses this myth as its backbone and not it's front cover, it's hard to imagine anyone (even those who don't like vampire stories) won't become involved.
other reviews have said this is strictly for sci-fi/horror fans and i disagree. the four characters - scientist, warrior, cleric and cop - beautifully represent humanity and its struggle to be human. who can't identify with that?

Slick, stylish, dark
A British masterpiece, modern, stylish and dark.

Nobody Does it Better
Let's face it -- the Brits know how to do a few things better than us Yanks: drink tea, print tabloids and produce compelling TV shows come to mind. "Ultraviolet" falls into the last category, and for those of you who don't mind blending genres, this show is well worth the price of admission.

"Ultraviolet" is part mystery, part sci-fi thriller and part horror show mixed into one story spread over six episodes. The main character, Michael (played by Jack Davenport, also of "Coupling" fame), is a London police detective leading a fairly normal life in the beginning of the Episode One. When his partner Jack disappears on the night before Jack's wedding, however, Michael investigates and quickly becomes possessed of a knowledge that few others have: the world is infested by a small but active vampire colony. Interestingly, the word "vampire" is never used in the series; "leech" is apparently the preferred term. However, these leeches suck blood from their victims' necks, have superhuman strength, cannot be recorded by any modern technology, can be killed by exposure to sunlight, and will live forever if not destroyed. In other words, if it quacks like a duck... While continuing his investigation into Jack's disappearance, Michael is reluctantly recruited into a special police/paramilitary unit whose sole function is to neutralize the leeches and keep humanity safe from enslavement and/or extermination.

I'm not going to provide an episode guide; other reviewers below have done that. Instead, I'm going to tell you why you should watch this show. First, Writer/Director Joe Ahearne does a masterful job of buliding suspense. The action is seen through Michael's eyes for the most part, and Ahearne uses the classic "less is more" style to make this show really creepy. For example, you hardly ever see the leeches; instead, you see the effects on the people with whom the leeches have had contact. It creates a very tense atmosphere of "they're out there somewhere, we just don't know where." (See the movie "Alien" if you don't know what I'm talking about.) Further, Michael's new colleagues are almost as threatening as the leeches. It is several episodes before Michael learns much about them and even then they are so maniacal about doing their job, you never quite get to a spot where you completely trust them. The viewer knows, as does Michael, that Michael would be shot down immediately if he ever ever becomes a leech, bonds of loyalty or friendship (such as they are) notwithstanding.

Second, the cinematography is excellent. Much like early seasons of the "X-Files", most of the scenes in "Ultraviolet" are shot either in very low light or at night, setting a dark mood for the whole series. I won't ruin it for you, but there is a scene in Episode Five (Terra Incognita) involving one of Michael's colleagues being trapped inside a warehouse with several leech coffins that are time-coded to open right at sundown. Michael and the cavalry are ten minutes away; the coffins are set to open in four minutes. The sun sets in the blood red sky as this seconds tick off and.... well, as another reviewer says, this might be the best scene in the whole series.

Third, and although there is plenty of action, the characters develop more through good dialogue than through good marksmanship. It's really hard to find a show that is as well written as this one, where what the characters say has real meaning to the story, as opposed to just being filler material until the next chase scene. It is so well done, in fact, that you will be sorely disappointed when the end of Episode Six rolls around because you really want to know what happens next to all of these people. You feel cheated, like there should be more. And that, my friends, is the mark of a good TV show.

So go ahead and hit that 1-click ordering button; you'll be glad you did.

Simply the Best Vampire Fiction on TV
This British show does what nothing else seems to have accomplished: it built a supernatural thriller/melodrama that honors both its horror and intrigue elements and origins. The writing is top-notch, the performances first-rate and the cinematography is very, very solid. Though only six episodes, this show left me breathless the first time I saw it, and I've yet to get a bad review when screening it for horror-loving friends. This is highly, HIGHLY recommended for fans of horror, intrigue, melodrama and anyone who thinks that horror shows are unavoidably lame. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

"If You Believe in Fairies...Clap Your Hands!"
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!

"Fairytale:A True Story" absolutely wonderful-A MUST SEE!
For young and old alike,this delightful film has it all! Based on the true story of two young girls who claim to have seen fairies in England during WW1,"Fairytale:A True Story" features superb acting throughout,especially Elizabeth Earl and Florence Hoath as Francis Griffiths and Elsie Wright, whose fairy sightings stir up quite a bit of controversy throughout wartime England. Among the people caught up in the excitement are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,brilliantly portrayed by Peter O"Toole and Harry Houdini,featuring Harvey Keitel in one of his finest performances. Paul McGann and Phobe Nicols are also wonderful as Elsie's parents. I really can't say enough about this film. Brilliantly cast and beautifully photographed,it is enchanting entertainment from beginning to end. The film score is even well worth the price if you can still find the CD! This film is not your average children's movie and I have read alot of reviews that ask weather this film was aimed at children or adults.This could very well be why it was not more of a commercial success.A pity, because I believe this film offers something for all ages.I also regret that I have not seen Florence Hoath in many other roles,save for "The Governess" and I haven't seen Elizabeth Earl at all-they deserve more recognition!

Don't Let This One Pass By
This amazing film is about two little girls who, with no photographic experience, take photos of Fairies. Kodak examines the photos and says they are untouched, but refuses to acknowledge the existance if these little sprites. In come two of my personal heroes, Sherlock Holmes, because he believes the girls, and Harry Houdini, because he dosn't believe them.
But, reguardless, if you believe, you will be facinated. If you do not believe, you might, just for a moment, question that belief.
Either way, do NOT miss this film!

HORRIBLE
if youre getting this movie for your kid, or any kid, save them the misery. i remember seeing this movie the day it came out, and it was so awful i fell asleep, along with about 5 other kids in the theater. it was by far the WORST movie i have ever seen in my entire life, even worse than that planet of the apes movie. and trust me, i have seen almost every movie that comes out. spare your kids the pain and spare yourself some money. DONT get this movie for them.

Charming little movie
This movie is a gentle story, one that the whole family can watch. Doesn't have much in the way of action, vulgarity or even scimpily dressed faires. The fairies are not a huge part of this story anyway. The story is about two young cousins who concoct a tale about some fairy sightings. This "true" story happened during WWI in England. The story also shows what happens to a small country town when they receive some unwanted publicity after the girls' photos are anonymously published in a leading magazine. It is an interesting tale, charming and cute. People who like trashy, faster movies won't like this one. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

"You'll rot there with all the other loonies."
Bobby Platt (Christian Bale) is the surviving heir to the Platt department store and the fortune that accompanies it. When Bobby's mother dies, he's left in the care of his stepfather Bernard de Winter (Daniel Benzali) also known as 'the Fat'. Thanks to a childhood head injury, Bobby isn't 'normal', and his nasty stepfather tries to take advantage of Bobby by pressuring him to sign away his inheritance. Bobby resists, and his stepfather reacts cruelly. Frightened and confused, Bobby runs away into the countryside. Here he meets a peculiar hermit, Mr. Summers (John Hurt) who's dedicated to protecting wildlife and burying road kill. Bobby relates to Summers as they share similar values.

The film's breathtaking scenery and superior acting elevate the film from its somewhat mediocre plot. Hurt is an incredible actor, and I have tremendous respect of his abilities. However, Bale's performance is the truly noteworthy element in this film. The film is allegorical, and as such it also gains a curiosity factor. Allegory just isn't fashionable any more, and often justifiably so. The allegorical elements are interesting, but not enough to really energize my interest beyond the lukewarm.

On the negative side, for about the first third of this film, I had the feeling that I was watching some sort of perverse version of "Annie". You may remember that film--little orphan redhead adopted by shiny bald millionaire, Daddy Warbucks. In "All the Little Animals", the nasty stepfather looks like Daddy Warbuck's long-lost evil twin brother. That unavoidable fact, combined with the whole orphan thing, tainted my viewing. In addition, the ending was a huge disappointment for me. The film really had some interesting things to say about human isolation--those of us who do not relate well to other humans often relate extremely well to animals. The film illustrates the healing effects of animal companionship. On the reverse side, of course, cruelty towards animals shows the shriveled side of human nature. This is all charming, etc, but the horribly violent ending while underscoring the film's basic message created an uglier film as a result. I found the ending implausible and out-of-place--displacedhuman.

"Of All the Animals, The Cruelest is Man."
After his mother dies, Bobby Platt (Christian Bale), a mentally slow 24 year old, is at the mercy of his mentally/emotionally abusive stepfather (Daniel Benzali), aka 'the Fat,' as Bobby nicknames him. When the Fat kills his pet mouse and then threatens to institutionalize him, Bobby runs away from London to Cornwall and ends up in the company of an eccentric man, Mr. Summers (John Hurt), who lets him join in his "work," which consists of scraping up roadkill and burying their bodies nearby (though they really should have buried them *away* from the roads to prevent scavengers from getting run over as well. But, anyway, that's beside the point.) Mr. Summers also helps Bobby sort out the situation with his stepfather, though the confrontation ends in tragedy.

The message in "All the Little Animals" is an obvious one just by reading the tagline. However, if they were trying to make an connection between humans against nature and, in turn, humans against each other, it doesn't really work (save for perhaps the Fat), since Mr. Summers, for one, respects nature, yet hates humans. This is explained later when he confesses to Bobby a dark secret of why he lives such a nomadic existence, contrary to his vow to never kill. And even Bobby, being the gentler of the two, breaks this vow, in a way, at the end.

The cast is really good, though the story is kind of predictable (most of the time I could guess what was going to happen beforehand); but, overall, this was a good British drama. Rated R for some violence, which is mostly done to humans.

An Allegorical Masterpiece
After accidentally stumbling upon this movie on the Sundance channel, I instantly fell in love with its mysterious and allegorical nature. Subsequently, I proceeded to purchase the book (by Walker Hamilton), which, in my opinion, is much better than the movie. When one ponders the meaning of "allegory", we automatically think of George Orwell's famous novel "Animal Farm". However, unlike Orwell's book, "All the Little Animals" contains more subtle insights into the forces of Good and Evil in life. This is probably the reason why the film and the book have slipped by virtually unnoticed in the world of great English literature. In fact, it was quite hard finding a copy of the book which I had to order it off of ..."Out of Print" section. All in all, this story has a powerful and haunting message, which can be credited to Walker Hamilton's brilliantly simple but amazingly complex writing style.
I believe Walker Hamilton's allegorical message is especially geared towards those of an intellectual nature-- separate from the corrupted minds of the masses. It calls out to all the Mr. Sommers in the world, all who are ostracized from society for refusing to uphold social conformities, beckoning them to watch over and care for "all the little animals" (which are the innocent souls such as Bobby Platt). We must be on guard then, ready to resist the wicked acts of those who harm innocent life (The Fat)-- always remembering all the little animals....

disappointing adaptation
The film not only didn't do justice to the book but also lost the feel, the atmosphere and the message. Christian Bale, a fine actor, is horribly mis-cast. Some key scenes were lost from the book and I question the choices made by the writer and/or director with regards to this. Obvious commercial decisions caused this film to lack the emotive power that was so evident in the novel. Read the book, forget the film.

Rediscovering "All the Little Animals"
I was flipping idly around the movie channels one Sunday in May 2002, and paused on a scene of two men walking through beautiful rural countryside. Something about this seemed to remind me of something. I continued watching, and when the topic of burying roadkill came up, I was hit all at once with the memory of a book I'd read in the early 70s when a young teen. I checked the info channel - sure enough, this was a movie version of that book, written by British author Hamilton. The book had been such a favorite of mine at that time that I'd re-read it a number of times and now, as I watched the movie, small passages and bits of dialog came rushing back. The oddest, most miraculous thing was that until this accidental discovery of the movie, I don't think I'd given a thought to the book in more than 20 years, even though it had been such a favorite. I thought the movie was fantastic. I kept thinking, How right for this to be made into a movie at this time in history, when animal rights issues and abuse-of-the environment issues concern so many people the world over. Christian Bale did a fine job, is very easy on the eyes, and is, I was charmed to learn, a supporter of animal rights. I thought the ending hooked up pretty well with the rest of the film. There was plenty of foreshadowing that the stepfather character was going to need confronting, and even if we sympathize with Mr. Summers, we know that the laws of the universe and of good filmmaking require that he's going to have to pay for having been a robber and a murderer. At the film's end, Bobby has grown into his best possible self, having gotten rid of the great evil in his life and matured into being able to carry on Mr. Summer's "work". ... Read more

Reviews (18)

"You'll rot there with all the other loonies."
Bobby Platt (Christian Bale) is the surviving heir to the Platt department store and the fortune that accompanies it. When Bobby's mother dies, he's left in the care of his stepfather Bernard de Winter (Daniel Benzali) also known as 'the Fat'. Thanks to a childhood head injury, Bobby isn't 'normal', and his nasty stepfather tries to take advantage of Bobby by pressuring him to sign away his inheritance. Bobby resists, and his stepfather reacts cruelly. Frightened and confused, Bobby runs away into the countryside. Here he meets a peculiar hermit, Mr. Summers (John Hurt) who's dedicated to protecting wildlife and burying road kill. Bobby relates to Summers as they share similar values.

The film's breathtaking scenery and superior acting elevate the film from its somewhat mediocre plot. Hurt is an incredible actor, and I have tremendous respect of his abilities. However, Bale's performance is the truly noteworthy element in this film. The film is allegorical, and as such it also gains a curiosity factor. Allegory just isn't fashionable any more, and often justifiably so. The allegorical elements are interesting, but not enough to really energize my interest beyond the lukewarm.

On the negative side, for about the first third of this film, I had the feeling that I was watching some sort of perverse version of "Annie". You may remember that film--little orphan redhead adopted by shiny bald millionaire, Daddy Warbucks. In "All the Little Animals", the nasty stepfather looks like Daddy Warbuck's long-lost evil twin brother. That unavoidable fact, combined with the whole orphan thing, tainted my viewing. In addition, the ending was a huge disappointment for me. The film really had some interesting things to say about human isolation--those of us who do not relate well to other humans often relate extremely well to animals. The film illustrates the healing effects of animal companionship. On the reverse side, of course, cruelty towards animals shows the shriveled side of human nature. This is all charming, etc, but the horribly violent ending while underscoring the film's basic message created an uglier film as a result. I found the ending implausible and out-of-place--displacedhuman.

"Of All the Animals, The Cruelest is Man."
After his mother dies, Bobby Platt (Christian Bale), a mentally slow 24 year old, is at the mercy of his mentally/emotionally abusive stepfather (Daniel Benzali), aka 'the Fat,' as Bobby nicknames him. When the Fat kills his pet mouse and then threatens to institutionalize him, Bobby runs away from London to Cornwall and ends up in the company of an eccentric man, Mr. Summers (John Hurt), who lets him join in his "work," which consists of scraping up roadkill and burying their bodies nearby (though they really should have buried them *away* from the roads to prevent scavengers from getting run over as well. But, anyway, that's beside the point.) Mr. Summers also helps Bobby sort out the situation with his stepfather, though the confrontation ends in tragedy.

The message in "All the Little Animals" is an obvious one just by reading the tagline. However, if they were trying to make an connection between humans against nature and, in turn, humans against each other, it doesn't really work (save for perhaps the Fat), since Mr. Summers, for one, respects nature, yet hates humans. This is explained later when he confesses to Bobby a dark secret of why he lives such a nomadic existence, contrary to his vow to never kill. And even Bobby, being the gentler of the two, breaks this vow, in a way, at the end.

The cast is really good, though the story is kind of predictable (most of the time I could guess what was going to happen beforehand); but, overall, this was a good British drama. Rated R for some violence, which is mostly done to humans.

An Allegorical Masterpiece
After accidentally stumbling upon this movie on the Sundance channel, I instantly fell in love with its mysterious and allegorical nature. Subsequently, I proceeded to purchase the book (by Walker Hamilton), which, in my opinion, is much better than the movie. When one ponders the meaning of "allegory", we automatically think of George Orwell's famous novel "Animal Farm". However, unlike Orwell's book, "All the Little Animals" contains more subtle insights into the forces of Good and Evil in life. This is probably the reason why the film and the book have slipped by virtually unnoticed in the world of great English literature. In fact, it was quite hard finding a copy of the book which I had to order it off of ..."Out of Print" section. All in all, this story has a powerful and haunting message, which can be credited to Walker Hamilton's brilliantly simple but amazingly complex writing style.
I believe Walker Hamilton's allegorical message is especially geared towards those of an intellectual nature-- separate from the corrupted minds of the masses. It calls out to all the Mr. Sommers in the world, all who are ostracized from society for refusing to uphold social conformities, beckoning them to watch over and care for "all the little animals" (which are the innocent souls such as Bobby Platt). We must be on guard then, ready to resist the wicked acts of those who harm innocent life (The Fat)-- always remembering all the little animals....

disappointing adaptation
The film not only didn't do justice to the book but also lost the feel, the atmosphere and the message. Christian Bale, a fine actor, is horribly mis-cast. Some key scenes were lost from the book and I question the choices made by the writer and/or director with regards to this. Obvious commercial decisions caused this film to lack the emotive power that was so evident in the novel. Read the book, forget the film.

Rediscovering "All the Little Animals"
I was flipping idly around the movie channels one Sunday in May 2002, and paused on a scene of two men walking through beautiful rural countryside. Something about this seemed to remind me of something. I continued watching, and when the topic of burying roadkill came up, I was hit all at once with the memory of a book I'd read in the early 70s when a young teen. I checked the info channel - sure enough, this was a movie version of that book, written by British author Hamilton. The book had been such a favorite of mine at that time that I'd re-read it a number of times and now, as I watched the movie, small passages and bits of dialog came rushing back. The oddest, most miraculous thing was that until this accidental discovery of the movie, I don't think I'd given a thought to the book in more than 20 years, even though it had been such a favorite. I thought the movie was fantastic. I kept thinking, How right for this to be made into a movie at this time in history, when animal rights issues and abuse-of-the environment issues concern so many people the world over. Christian Bale did a fine job, is very easy on the eyes, and is, I was charmed to learn, a supporter of animal rights. I thought the ending hooked up pretty well with the rest of the film. There was plenty of foreshadowing that the stepfather character was going to need confronting, and even if we sympathize with Mr. Summers, we know that the laws of the universe and of good filmmaking require that he's going to have to pay for having been a robber and a murderer. At the film's end, Bobby has grown into his best possible self, having gotten rid of the great evil in his life and matured into being able to carry on Mr. Summer's "work". ... Read more

Reviews (36)

"If You Believe in Fairies...Clap Your Hands!"
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!

"Fairytale:A True Story" absolutely wonderful-A MUST SEE!
For young and old alike,this delightful film has it all! Based on the true story of two young girls who claim to have seen fairies in England during WW1,"Fairytale:A True Story" features superb acting throughout,especially Elizabeth Earl and Florence Hoath as Francis Griffiths and Elsie Wright, whose fairy sightings stir up quite a bit of controversy throughout wartime England. Among the people caught up in the excitement are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,brilliantly portrayed by Peter O"Toole and Harry Houdini,featuring Harvey Keitel in one of his finest performances. Paul McGann and Phobe Nicols are also wonderful as Elsie's parents. I really can't say enough about this film. Brilliantly cast and beautifully photographed,it is enchanting entertainment from beginning to end. The film score is even well worth the price if you can still find the CD! This film is not your average children's movie and I have read alot of reviews that ask weather this film was aimed at children or adults.This could very well be why it was not more of a commercial success.A pity, because I believe this film offers something for all ages.I also regret that I have not seen Florence Hoath in many other roles,save for "The Governess" and I haven't seen Elizabeth Earl at all-they deserve more recognition!

Don't Let This One Pass By
This amazing film is about two little girls who, with no photographic experience, take photos of Fairies. Kodak examines the photos and says they are untouched, but refuses to acknowledge the existance if these little sprites. In come two of my personal heroes, Sherlock Holmes, because he believes the girls, and Harry Houdini, because he dosn't believe them.
But, reguardless, if you believe, you will be facinated. If you do not believe, you might, just for a moment, question that belief.
Either way, do NOT miss this film!

HORRIBLE
if youre getting this movie for your kid, or any kid, save them the misery. i remember seeing this movie the day it came out, and it was so awful i fell asleep, along with about 5 other kids in the theater. it was by far the WORST movie i have ever seen in my entire life, even worse than that planet of the apes movie. and trust me, i have seen almost every movie that comes out. spare your kids the pain and spare yourself some money. DONT get this movie for them.

Charming little movie
This movie is a gentle story, one that the whole family can watch. Doesn't have much in the way of action, vulgarity or even scimpily dressed faires. The fairies are not a huge part of this story anyway. The story is about two young cousins who concoct a tale about some fairy sightings. This "true" story happened during WWI in England. The story also shows what happens to a small country town when they receive some unwanted publicity after the girls' photos are anonymously published in a leading magazine. It is an interesting tale, charming and cute. People who like trashy, faster movies won't like this one. ... Read more