The Pagemaster (1994)

A cowardly boy who buries himself in accident statistics enters a library to escape a storm only to be transformed into an animated illustration by the Pagemaster. He has to work through obstacles from classic books to return to real life.

Directors:

Pixote Hunt, Joe Johnston

Writers:

David Kirschner (story), David Casci (story),

Stars:

Macaulay Culkin, Canan J. Howell, Alexis Kirschner

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Macaulay Culkin	...	Richard Tyler
Canan J. Howell	...	Neighborhood Kid
Alexis Kirschner	...	Neighborhood Kid
Jessica Kirschner	...	Neighborhood Kid
Guy Mansker	...	Neighborhood Kid
Brandon S. McKay	...	Neighborhood Kid (as Brandon McKay)
Stephen Sheehan	...	Neighborhood Kid
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Alan Tyler
Mel Harris	...	Claire Tyler
Christopher Lloyd	...	Mr. Dewey / The Pagemaster
Patrick Stewart	...	Adventure (voice)
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Fantasy (voice)
Frank Welker	...	Horror (voice)
Leonard Nimoy	...	Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde (voice)
George Hearn	...	Captain Ahab (voice)

Storyline

This is the story of a young boy named Richard Tyler, who finds shelter from a storm inside a nearby library. Tyler slips and is knocked unconscious while exploring a rotunda in the library. Upon awakening he is led on a journey through conflicts and events that resemble fictional stories, keeping him from finding the exit from the library.

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Plot Keywords:

library | book | boy | journey | treehouse | 

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Taglines:

All The Adventure Your Imagination Can Hold.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Grande Viagem

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$12,039,526 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Turner Pictures (I)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer David Kirschner lost a story and screenplay credit in WGA arbitration.

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Goofs

During the lighting storm when Richard Tyler (Macaulay Culkin) is riding his bicycle. Immediately after he exits through the tunnel you can clearly see the lights used in the lightning gag reflected in his bike windshield.

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Quotes

Dr. Jekyll: My boy, I derive no pleasure in telling you that you are in extreme danger.
Richard: Danger?
Dr. Jekyll: Even as we speak.

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Crazy Credits

The original VHS release of the film contained a sneak preview of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie prior to the film.

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Connections

References 20000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)

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Soundtracks

Soundtrack available on Fox Records
Marketed and Distributed by Arista Records

User Reviews

Get away from the computer and read a book, gosh darn it!

"The Pagemaster" may have been the only really good movie that Macaulay Culkin ever did. Playing accident-obsessed youngster Richard Tyler, who goes to the library and gets transferred into a world of horror, fantasy and adventure, he makes the most of the role. Patrick Stewart (a pirate-like book named Adventure), Whoopi Goldberg (a fairy-like book named Fantasy) and Frank Welker (a maladroit book named Horror) show themselves to be as adept in these kinds of movies as they are in their normal roles, as does Christopher Lloyd (the librarian and the Pagemaster).

All in all, this movie really shows you how much there is to read. I think that my favorite scene was the whole Jekyll and Hyde sequence - although the dripping painting was also pretty impressive. A very well done movie. Also starring Ed Begley Jr., Mel Harris, and the voices of Leonard Nimoy, Dorian Harewood and Phil Hartman.