FairyTale: A True Story Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Believe.
Based on factual accounts, this is the story of two young girls that, somehow, have the ability to take pictures of winged beings... which certainly causes quite a stir throughout England during the time of the first World War. Everyone, except the girls who think it's quite normal, are excited about this "photographic proof" that fairies exist... even the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini pay the girls a visit.
| Harvey Keitel | Harry Houdini |
| Jason Salkey | James Collins |
| Peter O'Toole | Sir Arthur Conan Doyle |
| Lara Morgan | Jean Doyle |
| Adam Franks | Adrian Doyle |
| Guy Witcher | Denis Doyle |
| Joseph May | Houdini's Assistant |
| John Bradley | Portly Gentleman |
| Anna Chancellor | Peter Pan |
| Florence Hoath | Elsie Wright |
| Phoebe Nicholls | Polly Wright |
| Leonard Kavanagh | Stage Manager |
| Elizabeth Earl | Frances Griffiths |
| Paul McGann | Arthur Wright |
| Anton Lesser | Wounded Corporal |
| Charles Sturridge |
6.20 out of 10 (1892 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A matter of reality
posted on 29 Jan 2009This movie is very sweet.A Fairy-tale might be just a FAIRY-TALE! But there do exist some other creatures called angels. Maybe this "fairies" in the movie really were angels? Truth is that especially children can be open enough to believe in the spiritual realm. Unfortunately not all spiritual creatures are good, and we are warned against the occult things some people thrive in. It seems like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did so. (So did NOT Houdini !) Nevertheless we need to accept what good things God has created, but be selective. Maybe the true story behind the movie was not a fraud, but real ANGELS?!(By the way: Why isn't Mel Gibson credited for his cast in the end?!)
Highly Recommended
posted on 25 Sep 2008"Masters of illusion never reveal their secrets" says Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) in the lyrical fantasy ''Fairytale--A True Story'' (1997). And pay attention to the things Houdini says like: "Never try to fool children. They expect nothing and therefore see everything", because his character exists to articulate the film's themes. These revolve around the need for many people to believe in the existence of spiritual concepts, the wisdom of not challenging these beliefs if they give sustenance, and how loss of the ability to see much that is hidden goes along with our loss of innocence. The innocence is stressed early in the film when an 8 year-old girl fearlessly seeks out a horribly scarred veteran on the train and gets "her corporal's" help to play a game of cat's cradle. In its best montage the film moves between, Houdini's fabled "The Chinese Water Torture Cell" illusion, a chess match, and the first-hand spiritual education of an investigative reporter. The film loosely documents the "Cottingley fairies" incident in 1917 when two English girls produced photographs that showed themselves in the presence of fairies. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (insert Sherlock Holmes here) published the photographs when he and various experts became convinced they were authentic. Many years later the girls would confess that they had faked all but one of the photos, but they continued to claim that their fairies actually exist. 12-year-old Elsie Wright (Florence Hoath) and 8-year-old Frances Griffiths (Elizabeth Earl) are the girls. It is late in WW1 and Francis has come to live with her Aunt and Uncle because her father is missing in action on the front lines. The Wright's too are dealing with a recent loss as Elsie's brother has passed away. So both children and Mrs. Wright (Phoebe Nicholls) are primed for belief in the other world. Yes there are fairies, the viewer sees them when no people are around and we see them leaving the area when Doyle's revelations cause the property to be trampled by a hoard of both believers and skeptics. The production design and the special effects are impressive and the film is absorbing from scene to scene. The target audience is a little hard to pin down as the subject is geared to children but much of the story a bit confusing if you are not already familiar with historical figures like Houdini and Doyle. The film utilizes the tried and true device for connecting with children by giving them a story about young people who know stuff is real, even though adults don't get it. In the film the age gap between the two girls is slightly less than it was in real life, which gives their relationship a bit more believability. Even more impressive is how successful the director was in the subtle creation two very distinct personalities. Elsie is shy and artistic. Frances is confident and social. Their interplay is the film's real strength; apparently the director sensed this dynamic and worked very hard in his acting for the camera direction of the two young actresses. He kept them in character and added behavioral elements they give their characters considerable depth and dimensionality. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Well made film about the two girls who claimed to have taken pictures of fairies.
posted on 07 Sep 2008Enchanting and well acted,Fairytale A True Story tells the real life story of two cousins Elsie Wright(Florence Hoath)and Frances Griffiths(Elizabeth Earl)who in 1917 took some pictures that captivated the world and had England divided in discussion of their authenticity. Even more attention was drawn to them and their home when two very high profile and well known figures took an interest.They are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle(Peter O'Toole)the author best known for creating the character of Sherlock Holmes and his close friend the illusionist Harry Houdini(Harvey Keitel).Conan Doyle believes in what he sees 100 percent whereas Houdini is a little more sceptical(probably as he was the greatest illusionist the world had seen and wanted to see how they created the illusion of fairies).However tests on the photos proved them to be genuine.To this day people are still divided about whether they are pictures of real fairies or a clever and very impressive hoax.With a great cast including Paul MGann as Arthur Elsies father and Phoebe Nicholls as her mother who is grieving for her dead son(who claimed to have seen the fairies as well)moving and uplifting this is well worth watching.
Fairy Tale--Don't miss this one!
posted on 21 Jun 2008Of our two local video stores one carried a single copy of FAIRY TALE: A TRUE STORY, and the other had no copy. The one copy is constantly out. People love this film in spite of the pans by some critics. Michael Medved said it was one of the year's best movies, and I agree. I enjoyed it tremendously, thought the visual images beautiful, and the acting superb. Most of the actors were unknown to me except Harvey Keitel who plays Harry Houdini. The English countryside is lush and green;The fairies are fragile and luminous. They shine like the movie. Don't miss FAIRY TALE: A TRUE STORY!
It's a Fairy Tale!
posted on 01 Apr 2008I don't care whether the story was a hoax or not. Most films are fairy tales, aren't they? Entertaining stories? Mind candy? And don't we love it? So, why pick it apart? The children were delightful. Peter O'Toole looked healthier than I've seen him in a long time. Harvey Keitel HAS to get a voice teach to rid him of that annoying accent. It was even more ludicrous in The Last Temptation of Christ! The small size of the fairies didn't bother me at all. Should they be life size, speaking words of wisdom, with haloes around their heads? I thought their smallness made them even more lovely to look at -mysterious and fleeting- if you can see them at all. The video I rented showed the Mel Gibson scene at the end. I had to rewind a bit to make sure it was him, as his name wasn't mentioned in the cast. A nice surprise.
It's Pathetic The Lies Filmmakers Get Away With
posted on 09 Dec 2007Another reviewer here on the user-comments asks, "Is there anyone left in this world who objects to being lied to?Yeah, I do! The main drawback, however, even more than the absurdity of the story, is that it is simply boring. "Fairy Tale: A Boring Story" would have been truthful, not labeling it a "true story." To repeat: the headline on this film is an out-and-out LIE.This is a supposed "true story" about two little girls in England who see and communicate with fairies - little Peter Pan-type beings who flutter around. Give me a break!!!!The only redeeming value of all this nonsense and New Age propaganda is some pretty photography. That's all the film offers, unless you are total moron and still believe in the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus, too. If this was billed as a fantasy, I would have enjoyed it, but to tell me this is truth is ludicrous.
visually stunning lovely atmosphere
posted on 16 Oct 2007I really enjoyed this film, I would highly recommend it as it ticked every box for me, it was a lovely calm movie and was easy to relax in front of. Performances from the child actress' especially Elizabeth Earl are the backbone of the picture. Harvey Keitel's performance as Houdini was convincing & entertaining and i was pleased to see Paul McGann cast. I have recently watched Pans Labyrinth and found the content quite similar (apart from PL's shocking, frequent doses of realism)it deals with fantasy, growing up and where the fantasy end and reality begin. Visual effects although outdated were charming and true to the original images. Lovely natural light and shots of nature make a very calm film for kids and as an adult i was left throughly entertained and have just ordered it on DVD! Hope you enjoy as much as I did
I thought this film was OK
posted on 22 Sep 2007I saw this film about a year ago and I enjoyed it quite a lot. My sisters all loved it. I knew the storyline cos i've read the book but i still really enjoyed it. I think that it could have been a bit better in certain ways, but most of the actors fitted their role and it was OK. I think that it should definately be in the top 200 films that i've watched
From the level of belief, this view is of something long awaited for.
posted on 01 Sep 2007It has been a long time coming, this bringing together of film technology and ACCURATE historical settings along with a rich and enchanted story. Fairy Tale has seriously captured what was and is most English! And in so doing has captured and rekindled my awareness and belief in the spirits of nature. The Film shows very cleverly and subtly the truth and the imagination brought together. The whole essence of the film is in its full title! Other reviews and critics seem to have missed this completely. The ingenious story board has not diminished the facts or the truth but enabled the imagination to be truth. The photography is of perfect imagery in each frame and to then attack the visionary senses with the Fairies of such realism has created a magical film that is available to all who have a wealth of imagination, knowing that all reality is ultimately created from it. Thus we also have a film for all. It was so nice to be enchanted for one and a half hours with no violence, no swearing, and no one dying! It has surprised me then that the film got more than a Universal certificate, when films of higher action value have not had such a restriction! However, the truth of the matter is that it is available to everyone on all levels of belief. The story reaches out to the senses and enables you to believe. How each individual believes is up to them but there are few detours from the basic life story of the children to enable the "True Story" part of the title to be fully accepted. The cleverness comes in how the down to earth side of the story is in harmony with the imagery part. The production team have done their home work well and have come up with a master work that should not be overlooked by bigger production story producers and skeptics, because the importance of the underlying messages, the subtle story within, is the jewel of all story telling and that means film making. This film is believable because of its hidden and obvious truths. The makers of this film and the film its self has a true fan and I would like to thank everyone involved for their wonderful gift. (On a similar subject is the film "Photographing Fairies" but with a very adult nature. It has a similar story line but from an adults view point. There are similar characters also but fails to be as capturing and enchanting as Fairy Tale. Its worth a good watch though and there is much intrigue. However I would have preferred the story to have been set in modern times rather than copying Fairy Tale in every detail.) Russ Gray.
It was simply a lovely, moving film. Tears flowed down my cheeks.
posted on 24 Jun 2007I'd seen this film on DVD when it first came to the States,I saw it again last weekend on TV. I'd forgotten how much I loved it, I'm so glad I saw it again. It was so moving, I felt I wanted to believe in fairies and after seeing this film and the websites with pictures of them, who's to say there aren't any? I recommend this film to anyone, just keep an open mind and a box of tissues handy. The girls are so sweet, if only children were like that today, we would be so lucky! Harvey Keitel was a bit hard to believe as Houdini but he wasn't terrible and Peter O'Toole was wonderful as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The mother and father were just the ticket, I believed their performances entirely. If only we could make a film as lovely as this.
"A True Story" Should Be Removed
posted on 18 Jun 2007The story is true about the girls and the photos. The story is true about the photos and how they tricked people. But the fairies flying around and bathing with fins and dodging cigarettes while carrying suitcases is not true. The ghost of a child blocking a doubting reporter from framing these girls after breaking into their room is also not true. This movie should not have "A True Story" at the end. It would be like "Titanic: A True Story", simply because the ship sinking is true. This is a good movie at times, has a lot of charm and the magic shines through. Harvey Keitel seems more like a downtown New York thug than a famous magician. The two leads who play the girls are charming, sweet, and talented. But my problem goes back to the "truth"; if they are going to show fairies they should have only showed them when the girls were present, so then it would be assumed that they might be only in the girl's imagination... or not. Showing the fairies flying around without the girls turns this "true story" into a "fairy tale", as in... it ruins the entire mystique that the pictures raised in the first place. The movie should center more on the hoax, on how the girls did what they did to trick scholars, famous writers and basically an entire continent. That would be interesting. Instead we get a fairy tale within a fairy tale with a false premise of the entire thing being true, that is, a movie that is telling us that fairies actually exist by tagging this "a true story". It's not true, it's merely based on truth. Just like "The Titanic", which didn't have "A True Story" added to the title; this movie should only be called "FairyTale", or better yet, "The Cottingley Hoax", or something based on actual history, not manipulation.
this is a delightful, enthralling film for all the family
posted on 22 May 2007I thought this film was a delight. I loved the premise that fairies exist and live in communities around us. It's not just wishful-thinking on the mum's part though that's poignant in itself .Great performances all round telling a much debated story. The fact that the director portrayed the fairies as real is an amazing feat in this age of cynicism.I loved how Harvey Keitel underplayed Houdini and Bill Nighy is sweet and hapless. I thoroughly recommend you see this film if only for a dose of hope! Before the two girls first see the fairies it's lovely to see things from the fairies' perspective.then I realised that the fairies were being played for real and that was such a refreshing idea. I wish there were more films like this . I don't believe that fairies exist but if they did they would be just like the ones in this film.
So-So But It Could Have Been Much Better If...
posted on 12 Sep 2006If! They did one simple thing! DON'T SHOW THE FAIRIES! The filmmakers blew it big time. The premise for this film was the charming story of two young English girls who have found genuine evidence of the existence of fairies. But rather than leave whether or not the fairies existed to the imagination of film audiences the filmmakers instead gave away all the cards by showing bad special effects of the fairies. Didn't these filmmakers see Jaws? That film worked because you didn't see the shark right away. It built up a sense of wonder and dread about the killer unseen shark. The first Alien was also super scary since you only saw glimpses of the alien until the end. These are very different movies than Fairy Tale but the jist of the argument remains the same. In short, films can be MUCH MORE POWERFUL WHEN YOU LEAVE CERTAIN ELEMENTS TO THE VIEWERS IMAGINATION! E.T. also had the same sense of wonder about the main other worldly character because you didn't see it right away either.I heard someone did an unauthorized edit of The Phantom Menace and cut out all of Jar Jar Binks ultra irritating scenes. Good show. Maybe someday they will do the same with this film and leave ALL the fairy footage on the cutting room floor where it belongs. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll be an improved director's cut on DVD of the film and the filmmakers will do just that! But I doubt it. This film's story had some great supporting real life people in it. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Houdini. With a cast like that how could they miss?
But sadly, they did. It's not all bad, but it only gets a mediocre rating from yours truly. The Mel Gibson cameo was cool though.
Quite good, overlooked, children's film
posted on 05 Apr 2005It saddens me when I hear complaints that there are no good films for young girls, and then when films like this, "A Little Princess", and "Fly Away Home" come out, those same people stay away from them in droves. I read the comment that said this is a hot renter, and that's good to hear, because this is quite a good film which adults can also appreciate. Instead of just being a cynical marketing ploy, this is a serious (although there is some humor) and thoughtful film about growing up and magic of all kinds. As the two young girls, Florence Hoath and Elizabeth Earl are quite good, and Peter O'Toole and Harvey Keitel lend nice support as, respectively, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini. Even if you don't believe in fairies, you'll believe in the magic of this film.
Believe...Can You?
posted on 25 Feb 2005This venture was beautiful, whimsical, and inspired. This work felt as though it were real, although that is only partially true. I really don't care. The (movie) magick to be found here is awe inspiring and will have you watching your bird feeder much more closely.Backed up by big names, beautiful photography, a solid screenplay, and natural dialog, this production is almost timeless. As it was a "period" piece (1917), it bears the virtue of not showing its wear. It was filmed as "old" when it was new.The two girls' performances were nothing short of exemplary. They came off as being honest and true to their roles. That having been said, there was not a single poor performance to be found. While there are some slow spots, as character development and the story are set up for the duration of the work, they are few and do not interrupt the flow of the production enough to break the wonderful spell.It rates an 8.8/10 from...the Fiend :.
Absolutely Magical!!!!
posted on 10 Feb 2005When I first saw the title and the packaging, I thought this film would be for younger viewers and that I'd probably be bored by it. I was totally wrong!!! What a completely enchanting film this turned out to be!!!! The story was wonderful and I wasn't bored for a minute. The two little girls who played the main characters were perfect for their parts. Part of the plot suggests that the girls' fairy photographs were a hoax, but then there are a few twists and turns that leave you thinking, maybe they do exist? Some visual effects were not overly done at all and they helped by enhancing the atmosphere and mood of the film. I could feel the fairy dust coming through the screen!! I *loved* this film and would watch it again and again!! A truly heartwarming, magical film!!
For true believers in the power of magic and innocence
posted on 16 Oct 2004Maybe on account of the fact that being 2/3 through my alotted span and with a terrible awareness of what this world is really like and having also managed to really never grow up, I found this film to be the most touching and magical experience of my life. I am more than happy to tell you that the last ten minutes of the film brought tears to my eyes as I witnessed what every young child wants to see....and CAN if only they can put aside life's pitiful and distracting reality.Released the same time as the excellent PHOTOGRAPHING FAIRIES, both films dwell on the factual events of 1917 when childhood friends Elsie Wright and Florence Griffiths took what they professed to be real photographs of fairies in their immediate neighborhood. The incredible photographs were declared non-hoaxes and even incurred the attention of such as Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini who visited the girls and examined the phenomenon. Peter O'Toole especially, as Conan Doyle is just superb in his characterisation (why am I NOT surprised?)Absolutely sumptuous cinematography, a most literate of scripts and some grade A acting, especially from the two girls. The film had a larger budget than PHOTOGRAPHING FAIRIES and it shows. The highlight of course and that which the younger viewers must wait patiently for, is the quite staggering appearance of the fairies at the end. As brilliant a series of special effects as I have ever seen. Several people don't appear to have seen Mel Gibson - you weren't looking to closely!!The truth or otherwise about the photographs has since been made public although few appear to know. I have no comment to add. If you WANT to know more, contact me.
Do You Believe In Fairies ?
posted on 22 Sep 2004Fairy Tale: A True STory (1997): Starring Phoebe Nicholls, Florence Hoath, Harvey Keitel, Peter O'Toole, Jason Salkey, Lara Morgan, Adam Franks, Guy Witcher, John Bradley, Joseph May, Anna Chancellor, Elizabeth Earl, Paul McGann, Bob Peck, Anton Lesser, Lyn Farleigh, Sarah Marsden, Tara Marie, Alannah McGahan, Bill Nighy, Jim Wiggins, Anthony Calf, John Grillo, Benjamin Whitrow, David Norman, Matilda Sturridge, Charlotte Champness, Stuart Howson, James Danaher, Isabel Rocamora Suzy Barton, Ali Bastion, Sean Buckley, Lindsey Butcher, Norma Cohen, Matt Costain, Sophie Griffiths, Tara Kemp, Caleb Lloyd, Marianne Melhus, Genevieve Monastesse, Mark Tate.. Director Charles Sturridge, Screenplay Albert Ash, Tom McLoughlin, Ernie Contreras.This British film from director Charles Sturridge, released in 1997, coincided with the release of the similar independent film "Photographing Fairies". This is the true story of the 1917-1918 headline-making incident in which two British girls (played by Phoebe Nichols and Florence Hoath) claimed they saw fairies in the grounds of their father's country home and went as far as photographing the fairies. The photographs of the fairies are world-famous. The girls and their experience with the fairies captivated the imagination and the interest of almost everyone, including the legendary escape artist/magician Harry Houdini (portrayed in the film by Harvey Keitel) and the novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole). The girls' father is reported missing in action in Europe during World War I and their apparent grief seems to be, in one level, the explanation for their spiritual encounter with fairies. The non-believers accused the girls and the adults who cared for them of producing the photos themselves through camera tricks as part of an elaborate hoax. The world of spirit and the world of humans interact in this warm, touching film whose theme is that of faith and the nature of faith. But far from focusing on the is it real or not (does Santa Claus exist, do angels exist ?) question, it seems to be more about a world that desperately needs magic, healing and hope. True to history, this time period (the world during WWI) was full of conflict and it was dark. Nations were at war. Old superstitions and beliefs took a backseat to the emerging science and progressive technology- cars, telephones, fast trains, ships, etc). The fairies came at the right time. This was also a time of spirituality and magic. Not only did people's interest in fairies, angels, ghosts and the paranormal/occult begin to arise, but people claimed to communicate with such spiritual entities. While the film leans toward the idea that fairies do exist . Through computer enhanced imagery, we see the fairies soaring about and playing in the countryside and the Fairy Queen Mab (Isabel Rocamora) intervenes to help bring back the girl's father. Surprise, surprise, he is played in a brief one final scene cameo by none other than Mel Gibson. This is a gorgeous, moving film with a lot of heart, intelligence, charm and spirit. The music is lovely, a sort of neoromantic creation that pays tribute to Felix Mendelssohn who wrote incidental music to "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which features fairies. The exquisite cinematography is by Michael Coulter who gives us great shots of the English countryside, a great contrast to the bleak, dismal hospital scenes in London. Also, we are treated to the theatrical/entertainment scene of this time, which was mostly theater. Sarah Bernhart was performing her last plays and plays like James Berry's Peter Pan as seen in the film were indeed part of theater repertoire. Not to mention Harry Houdini who was astounding the world with his death-defying feats of escape and illusion. This is a wonderful film that you are sure to enjoy. Nevertheless, despite the title, it is actually more of an adult's film because children may have trouble following the well-crafted dialog and plot and would not be familiar with the historical references.
As Harry Houdini says...
posted on 17 Aug 2004..."I see only joy here." No truer words can be evoked to describe the purpose and effect of this beautiful film. Charles Sturridge ('Brideshead Revisited' and 'A Handful of Dust') has assembled a cast that would be the envy of many other top flight producers and directors embarking upon a "serious" film. That is not to say this isn't a serious film, it is. It is marketed for children, naturally, but it has deeper levels that challenge the adult mind far beyond what one normally encounters in films directed towards adult audiences.The quality of this script attracted such great actors as Peter O'Toole (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), Harvey Keitel (Harry Houdini), Bill Nighy, Phoebe Nicholls, Paul McGann and a slew of other well-known British actors. You might also take note of Mel Gibson in an uncredited cameo at the very end.Sturridge and his team of writers has come up with something beguilingly profound, flowing quietly beneath the simple story of two little girls who have managed to photograph fairies at the bottom of the garden. This is based on the famous "scandal" of the early 20th century when a similar event took place, only in the film the photographs are pronounce authentic whereas in the actual event in England the "experts" proved the photographs to be false. But the film does not pretend to represent the actual events but moves beyond them to a more fundamental issue of out times.There is nothing "twee" about this movie either and it could have easily become mawkish and sugar-sweet in less committed hands.I am left, after viewing this film, with Shakespeare's words ringing in my head... "there is far more in heaven and earth than meets [our] little philosophy." In this blighted age of science and money-worship it is good to be reminded that we limit ourselves through our cynical prejudices and need to have everything proved scientifically, usually for profit. When the condition of our lives and society has got you all blocked up, watch this little gem and weep for everything that has been lost to us. You will feel better afterward.I will stop this commentary abruptly now by recommending 'Fairy Tale' to one and all. And get out the Kleenex box before you begin.
A Thoroughly engaging, dreamy and beautiful period film!
posted on 18 Aug 2009After watching this film I realize that it is not so much about whether it "was really" true or untrue...the essence of the film, made amply clear is the Belief of the two girls in fairies that made them see them in the first place. On a metaphysical level the film says that if you really believe in something, however odd or outlandish, it will come true or be true. There's no sense in being contentious about the basis of this film because that is very much valid as I have pointed out above. To do so, as I see some people have done over here, is to not only misunderstand the message of the film but to downplay its other qualities.The acting of Florence Hoath as Elsie and Elizabeth Earl as Frances is really impressive. Both have done complete justice to their characters. The rest of the cast, Paul McGann as Elsie's father, Peter O'Toole as Arthur Conan Doyle and Harvey Keitel as Houdini are also really good. I also absolutely agree with most of the reviewers here that the early 20th century has been evoked very well. But of course, the best thing about the film is the cinematography. It's gorgeous! The woods where the girls encounter the fairies are evoked beautifully, they're appropriately dreamy and realistic. Praise must definitely be due to the set decorators who have done a brilliant job with the house that the Wrights live in and especially the room which Elsie and Frances share. It's a dream garret room! The music is also quite good. I thoroughly recommend this film, certainly for those who believe in Believing things and also for those who like to watch a really well made period film.