Jack And The Beanstalk: The Real Story Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
What if the fairy tale were true?
Jack Robinson (Matthew Modine) is a wealthy business man with no time for anything but work. However, a family curse is looming over him - no man in the Robinson line ever lives past the age of thirty. With his upcoming birthday appears the remains of literally giant skeleton and a mysterious woman (Mia Sara) who claims to have once known the gaint. Jack decides to go with her to another world where all is revealed to him along with the story of his ancestor, the orginal Jack and the Beanstalk. In order to save his own life and the world of the giants, Jack must right the wrongs of the past and return the magical harp and goose that lays the golden eggs to their rightful home.
| Matthew Modine | Jack Robinson |
| Vanessa Redgrave | Countess Wilhelmina, Matriarch, Narrator |
| Mia Sara | Ondine |
| Daryl Hannah | Thespee, Member Great Council of Mac Slec |
| Jon Voight | Siggy (Sigfried Mannheim), Overseas Div. Director for Robinson Intl. |
| Richard Attenborough | Magog, Arbiter of Justice Great Council of Mac Slec |
| Bill Barretta | Thunderdell |
| Honor Blackman | Jules, Jack's Secretary |
| Jim Carter | Odin, Member of Great Council of Mac Slec |
| James Corden | Bran, Thunderdell's Son |
| JJ Feild | Young Jack |
| Jonathan Hyde | Dussan, Jack's Butler, Guardian |
| Anton Lesser | Vidas Merlinis, Research Scientist |
| Brian Henson |
6.80 out of 10 (927 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Shame it does not appear available in book format
posted on 26 Apr 2009This is an excellent version following the consequences of Jack's actions many generations ago. Re-working of tales proves their existence as timeless classics. It is a terrible shame this is not available in book form. As a teaching aid this would be a fantastic opportunity to get children thinking of cause and effect. Criticising literature is always a difficult task. This version of events brings in another perspective of the tale, making Jack the villain, the dishonest thief making a good living from the riches of the 'Giant Kingdom', and the Giant being a kind hearted man who was originally simply protecting the riches of the kingdom preventing it from destruction. Does the author of the original tale intend the reader to interpret the story as such? Are these details omitted, leaving to reader assumption? Any comments would be gladly accepted.
Excellent
posted on 01 Mar 2009One of the best movies I have ever seen. Mia Sara's performance was absolutly specatular! I wish I could of been part of it's making. With its graphics it has simply excelled. Congrationlations to the Hansons for picking the best cast and orchestrationg a perfect movie.
Entertaining
posted on 26 Jan 2009Corporate head Jack Robinson is about to discover that fairytales are very real in this revisionist take on `Jack and the Beanstalk'.The film starts off well, with Jack (Matthew Modine) discovering that life isn't as straightforward as he thought. A nice atmosphere is created as a mysterious woman, Ondine (Mia Sara looking very cute), appears dropping dire hints as to his family's secret. Eventually Jack discovers the truth behind his wealth, and finds out that it is up to him to put things right.The `real world' segments of this movie tend to work best, as Jack struggles to come to terms with his discovery that fairy tales are true, with the `fantasy land' segments - mainly due to some variable effects - actually detracting from the sense of wonder. While most of the performances are fine (though Modine occasionally seems to be playing Scott Bakula), the guy playing the original Jack is fairly dire.What really makes the story work is the idea that fairy tales are history dressed up to be palatable to us (and of course not necessarily reliably related history), and the way that we might exploit magic if it were available to us.Well worth a watch for fantasy/fairy tale fans, or if you liked the superior `The 10th Kingdom'.
Did anyone else think this was an allegory of --- ?
posted on 01 Dec 2008While watching this movie I couldn't help but think that it was an allegory for the experiences of native Americans upon being invaded. Nobody else saw the movie that way? The effects were great as expected but although the lineup of actors was stella, the script/movie could have been edited down and polished to about two thirds its length. And if it was an allegory, it lacked a decent gray perspective, too binary. One thing that the movie does well is that it really makes you think: what if the fairy tale really did have a basis in fact? A minor annoyance was the depiction of the friendly giant after being shown the traditional version. A character doesn't have to be smiling all the time like a cross between a weird cult leader and a real estate agent to get across that he's a good guy. Some subtlety, please.
I don't expect less from Jim
posted on 04 Oct 2008I think I may have watched a part of this mini movie but I think I thought it looked domb so I watched another show. But when I got a hold of the DVD I couldn't help but watch the whole thing! Of course this was when I didn't know that Jim Henson made it but when I saw that I gladly watched it. I must say this was a great film, a must see..
another winner from the Henson studio
posted on 18 Sep 2007this mini series was a complete winner from start to finish! a wonderful, imaginative retelling of the old fairy tale, that does a great job of imagining an alternate beginning and then adding a great storyline to help finish it out. the special effects were wonderful, including the creatures from the henson studio workroom. an excellent visualization of the world atop the beanstalk, and the rulers of their world. it was tied in very well with the modern world, and Matthew Modine made for a very likable Jack, who tries to make things right again. Mia Sara as Ondine once again shows that she is best used in a longer premise where she has room to flesh out her character. her acting has definitely improved since Timecop, and she is as beautiful as ever, if not more so!
Let the classics live for ever !
posted on 15 Oct 2006I didn't like the film ...why ? because : I am a big fan for Jack and the Beanstalk from my childhood.... but this film had made a big mistake by making the story having a real "historical" :-) roots...Jack and the Beanstalk is a fairy tale ... why you want to change it ? For me it means there is no ideas and no abilities to write a real new story ...that is why they begin to mess with the old classic stories...I had a big hope in this film ...but !!! please leave the old stories as it is ..and don't change the mind of the children too...Let the classics live for ever ...Thanks
Highly Creative and Entertaining Reinterpretation
posted on 13 Jul 2006***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Brian Henson's remake of this fable is reminiscent of Michael Cohn's 1997 `Snow White: A Tale of Terror' (Starring Sigourney Weaver). I was thoroughly enter- tained by the original overlay of treachery, unrequited love, larceny and homicide. Or is gianticide a word? I also enjoyed the stellar cameos by Daryl Hannah (Thespee) and Richard Attenborough (Magog). Vanessa Redgrave does a great job of setting the tone at the throughout the movie with her grave, atmospheric narration. Mia Sara hasn't aged since `Legend'. The pantheon of Celtic and eastern deities /giants were quite a sight to behold; Gargan with his gaudy head piece, the Stag-headed Cernos and Thor's hefty hammer. This somewhat well-paced movie offers an intriguing challenge to the moral veracity of the standard fables. I said 'somewhat' because the conclusion sagged a little when Magog allowed Mondine to return to earth to live happily ever after with Jack. It seems the ending was conveniently rounded off to meet the status quo. I suppose Henson felt the permanent separation of the two may be a wee bit taxing on the audience. But generally, the movie was a good Sunday-evening fare. Perhaps Brian Henson (and the likes of Michael Cohn) will also care to exhume the other fables from the grimory. That would be highly entertaining.If you had the ill fortune of missing part2, the DVD and VHS is available.
Wonderful And Magical
posted on 11 Jul 2006I never thought twice about the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but this movie does answer some dangling plot points such as where the beans came from and a closer look into Jack's character. Matthew Modine, Mia Sara, John Voight and all the class give wonderful performances highlighted by a believable story into the realm of beings who probably were the gods of ancient myth. Wonderful and ironic casting choices abound; Mia Sara from the fantasy "Legend" turns up in this fantasy as does Darryl Hannah playing another sort of giant after doing the "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman" remake. The movie for me also proves just how much history or legends can be based on lies or the personal perceptions of others. The whole fantasy has a charming and intelligent telling in it as modern day Jack learns the far-fetched truth of his ancestry and his connections to an ancient myth. Someone obviously did their research searching the origins of this tale and linking it to believable characters and events. i only wished i had taped it because I'd love to see it again!
good
posted on 25 Dec 2005starlet86 from edison NJ hit it on the nose...some not so consistent story telling...good movie but if you have the DVD - and watch over again - you will see the incosistencies...i'm not much for sappy endings...but even that was inconsistent...if they went back to giant land - she said they had 7 days which equaled 7 years in earth time - then he said there could be several new robinson's when they get back to earth - how could that be? they still spent only 7 days on giant land? don't understand that...i also saw parallels to the movie Hook - which was much better told than this one...peter grows up and all...but in all - i am still a sucker for these types of twists on fairy tales...7 is good enough...
Magical and Entertaining
posted on 18 Jun 2005I watched this movie all in one go and I must say I didn't move from my chair. Modine and Mia Sara's performances are excellent as are the rest. Sara plays the girl from another world who comes to Modine to help him find the truth and help her bring welfare back to her people. Modine slowly will discover where the riches of his ancestors came from. Then he will try to right the wrongs and end the curse to his family. The family moves between two worlds. Our world and a fantastic one. The scenery and the landscapes are wonderful and there is also some mistery and twists till the end. The movie addresses the greed of people and how they would go all the way just to satisfy themselves ignoring the needs of others. I highly recommend it.
Boring, sappy and badly written
posted on 02 Aug 2004OMG did I wait for the movie to end. The tempo of the movie is very slow and events unroll boringly. This may very well have been a magical TV movie but for a movie to watch in one sitting there is no action or drama to keep you awake. You just sit there hoping that there was a climax on the way and it never comes.Of course this was a family movie, too, so I know I shouldn't have expected black humor or scary thrills.In many places the script isn't transparent... you kind of start to think of the writers' motives on including a twist in the plot which isn't good. It just wipes away the movie magic.The actors could've tried harder as well. I know they were making a movie about a fairy tale but this was supposed to be the "real story" so a bit less overacting would've been good. Many of the characters seemed unnecessary, like the pantheon in the trial.I liked the cheating and conniving ancestor, though. He was a nice touch, worth 1 point, 1 point comes for a good idea and 1 for the investment in fantasy.
Modern Classic
posted on 25 Jul 2004When I saw the listing for this film I imagined that it would be another network fantasy movie crap fest. The casting of Sara and Modine caused me to tape it and give it a look. As expected the fantasy land odd folk are bland, rather it is the "real world" segments that are magical (and literate). Sara (as fantasy land emissary) and Modine are perfect together.
Jack and the Beanstalk may have been a children's story...
posted on 31 Mar 2004I thought that Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story was a fantastic film. In terms of editing and cinematography, Hallmark is fast becoming well - known as producers of quality films that revitalize the old classics. Now, in terms of content, "Jack" was a film that I would take my 10-year-old to see in a theater. Because despite one bed scene when Jack (the forbearer of modern Jack) abandons his beanstalk beauty, I think the film really does well at showing what could have happened after Jack cut down the beanstalk.I liked how he built an empire with the goose's eggs. Very intriguing. Of course, nothing I have typed here is a spoiler. In terms of drama and conflict, the film does exceptionally well. Not only does Jack have to answer for the sins of the father, but he must survive in the aftermath of his short stay in the city in the clouds. But I really like what the story teaches about morals and telling the truth; about compassion and doing what is right, for the sake of living a life of integrity and courage.I would say two thumbs up, but that might violate someone else's copyright. So, I'll say Well done, Hallmark. When can I submit my application to be one of your film writers?
Imaginative and colourful sequel to the old fairy tale
posted on 15 Jan 2004This is the story of a giant legume which brought happiness to some and misfortune to many. It's also the story of a very productive goose that laid eggs of pure gold to the music of a magic harp. These prized possessions also have the power (or so it seems) of turning dusty landscapes into valleys of verdant pastures. The excavation of some giant bones at the beginning gave promise of a pretty exciting film, but I thought the pace was slow until we met the first Jack and his mother Mrs. Robinson outraged at her son's transaction - a half a dozen bean seeds for the family cow! Then we get some real action. Thanks to computerised photography, the ground trembles and a gigantic beanstalk races upwards piercing the clouds. Naturally Jack climbs up and at the top discovers a new land inhabited by very large people. Although we realise this is photographic trickery, the miniaturisation of the human figures is well done and the appeasing of the giant's appetite has to be seen to be believed. When Jack steals the harp and the goose and clambers down the beanstalk with the angry giant in close pursuit, tension rises. Jack just makes it. The giant falls to his death and Mrs Robinson makes sure with a mighty swing of her axe. Great fairy story stuff for the children! Centuries pass. Jack and his progeny die young for there is a mighty curse on them all. The second half of the story explains how the curse can be removed if the goose and harp can be taken back to the land of the giants. Modern day Jack undertakes the mission, but is caught, tried and found guilty in the giant's court. This part of the film is not very original. If you have seen"Planet of the Apes" you will remember a similar scene where aliens are condemned for their deeds. The film covers some interesting topics currently being discussed:(1) The cloning of the goose to provide an endless supply of gold. (2) The importance of the greening of the environment and its beneficial effect on the population.The film is cast with some well-known actors and it is fun to identify them. We have plenty of time to do so.The film runs for 3 hours (not including advertisements). Vanessa Redgrave as the Matriarch links the scenes together with a profound and prophetic commentary. Whether you can affirm her story to be true will much depend on whether "you believe in the unbelievable". It's really up to you.
Nice idea, but too long.
posted on 27 Sep 2003Well that's 4 hours of my life I'll never get back. Shame really as it's a good idea for a film. If only it'd been 2 hours rather than 2 x 2 hours. At one point the film goes so slowly it almost stops.The fairytale of Jack and The Beanstalk was a lie based on the truth. The 15th generation son of Jack has to pay the price for the crimes of his distant relative 400 years ago who stole the goose that lays the golden eggs and the harp that plays for the goose to lay from the big FRIENDLY giant.The land of the giants has suffered terribly, crops have failed because the harp isn't there to play the special music and the climate has changed because the golden eggs where burned in a furnace to power the climate of the land.As I say, nice idea but tooooooooooooooooo looooooooooooooooong!
Great movie, a must addition to your collection.
posted on 01 Jun 2003I loved this movie....a must for young and old alike. Kind of restores your faith in everything good. This movie is like verification for the fairy tale. Purchase this movie and it will be loved and handed down for generations to come. It made me believe. Glued to my seat for the entire two night event. Glad it's on DVD so I can see it with my Grands. This is a great movie for family night in. A classic "Yes" ending. If you didn't see the two night event, you missed a once in a lifetime cliffhanger for night two. It made you record it if you were going to miss the second night. I can't imagine not seeing this movie and experiencing the remarkable way the story came together. It explains the gaps in the fairy tale. A must see and buy.
a great movie to see with the whole family
posted on 11 Feb 2003Although it's a bit long this is a great movie. I've always been a fan of the Henson studio but this a real highlight. Great actors, great effects and a good adaptation of the story. Everybody knows the fairy tale but this is a very original modern-day spin off. i've already seen it twice and recommended it to most nieces and nephews. Ans they loved it too. Not to mention their parents. I think the story is a bit complex for the under age 8 group but they won't be bored with the effects. Matthew Modine (one of my favorites ever since I've seen him in HBO's "and the and played on") really makes the most out of the character. But there are more stars in this one. i've already bought the DVD and will probably watch it again. 4,5 stars out of 5!!
a great fairy tale
posted on 12 Jan 2003This is an imaginative take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story. While it was made for kids, the story maintains enough complexity to keep adults interested (I'm 19). Plus as a female, I appreciate the fact that it's one of the few stories where (possible spoiler) the damsel(who's in a different kind of distress than other fairy tale women) rescues Prince Charming. But there some flaws with this film that kept me from giving it a perfect 10. Some gripes I have (spoilers ahead):1. I'm no math person but why couldn't the writers be consistent with when Jack's dad died? One minute, they say he died 20 years ago but then they say he died when Jack was 14. Since Jack is 37, it shows that the writers can't do simple addition. Couldn't they just take two seconds to do the math? 2. How the hell does Siggy know about goose and harp? I got the impression from Wilhemina that Jack's dad didn't believe the story of the original Jack. But apparently, Jack's dad told Siggy not to tell him about the family's dark secret until he was ready. I wish there was a more believable explanation for Siggy knowing a lot more than he should. 3. If Siggy is smart enough to know the all the Robinsons' secret, I think he should be able to catch on to the fact that Jack is in love with Ondine fairly quickly. I always wondered why he didn't try to kill Ondine when he was so against Jack having an heir. I understand that they had a time limit to the movie and maybe it would have been a bit scary for the little ones. And don't get me wrong, I love Jack and Ondine too much to want anything less than a happy ending for them. But shooting her (or at least threatening to do it) would have been a great way to kick up the tension/suspense. 4. Siggy's accent and mannerisms were an attempt at comedy that completely fell flat. It was not funny and was a bit gratuitous.But if you're a fan of romance, adventure, or just feel-good movies in general, those things shouldn't keep you from enjoying this film.
- 1
- 2
Excellent Opening Night!
posted on 27 Jul 2009This is a great movie so far! I've just seen the first night. I'm going to see Part 2 tomorrow night! It's so exciting! And...kind of...twisted? Could I put it? It just had so many...BLAH! There's no way to put it into words! It's an excellent fiction meets fantasy mini-series! In a few words...JUST WATCH IT! 10/10