Princess Caraboo (1994)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Michael Austin

Writers (WGA):

Michael Austin (written by) &
John Wells (written by)

Release Date:

16 September 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | History | Mystery | Romance

Tagline:

She was everything they dreamed of... And nothing they expected.

Plot:

Bristol, England, early 19th century. A beautiful young stranger who speaks a weird language is tried for the crime of begging...

Plot Keywords:

Princess | Bristol | Reporter | Language | England

Cast

Jim Broadbent	...	Mr. Worrall
Phoebe Cates	...	Princess Caraboo / Mary Baker
Wendy Hughes	...	Mrs. Worrall
Kevin Kline	...	Frixos
John Lithgow	...	Professor Wilkinson
Stephen Rea	...	Gutch
Peter Eyre	...	Lord Apthorpe
Jacqueline Pearce	...	Lady Apthorpe
Roger Lloyd-Pack	...	Magistrate Haythorne
John Wells	...	Reverend Hunt
John Lynch	...	Amon McCarthy
John Sessions	...	Prince Regent
Arkie Whiteley	...	Betty
Kate Ashfield	...	Ella
Ewan Bailey	...	Ship's Captain

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:PG | Finland:S | Germany:o.Al. (w) | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG | Norway:7

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Ardican Films

Trivia:

The red print dress worn by Wendy Hughes (Mrs. Worrall) is the same costume Elizabeth Devonport wears in "The Regency House Party" (2004), and Phyllida Law wears at the picnic in Miss Austen Regrets (2008) (TV)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Two If by Sea (1996)

Delicate, funny, intriguing, beautiful -- this film is a treasure on many levels. See it!

"Princess Caraboo" is a rare breed of film these days -- aimed at adults, but highly respectful of the human soul and therefore safe for all ages. All viewers should find the historical angle fascinating, lovers of whimsical, offbeat humor will be delighted, "romantics" will be stirred by the powerful ending...and the ravishing color palette of the sets and costumes will enchant those who crave sheer visual beauty.

I personally thought the wonderful ending was handled very well -- it was particularly powerful for being beautifully understated, and did not "take away" from the effectiveness of the story. Because it had been foreshadowed (with great subtlety) throughout the movie, it did not arrive as a shock but rather as a fulfillment.

I must also put in a good word for the glorious music...another home run. See this film. As others have noted, it will stay with you long afterward.