FairyTale: A True Story (1997)

Two children in 1917 take a photograph, believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Based on a true story.

Director:

Charles Sturridge

Writers:

Albert Ash (story), Tom McLoughlin (story),

Stars:

Harvey Keitel, Florence Hoath, Elizabeth Earl

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | fairy | children | photograph | billiards | 

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Taglines:

Believe.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for brief mild language

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 October 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Istinita vilinska prica

Filming Locations:

Cottingley, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£272,295 (UK) (13 February 1998)

Gross:

£2,164,218 (UK) (10 April 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Icon Entertainment International, Wendy Finerman Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last film of 'Don Henderson'.

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Quotes

Judith: Is it true all Africans are cannibals?
Frances Griffiths: I've never met one. Do you have anymore stupid questions?

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Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Lost in Space/The Spanish Prisoner/Mercury Rising/Kurt & Courtney/Character (1998)

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Soundtracks

"See the Conquering Hero Comes"
from "Judas Maccabeus"
Composed by George Frideric Handel (as Georg Friedrich Händel)
Arranged by Christopher Blood
Performed by the combined brass ensembles of St. Peter's & St. Oliver's Schools, York

User Reviews

not really a children's film

The kind of movie that could almost persuade you that fairies were real. The story is that of the Cottingley Fairy photographs of the 1920s (taken by two Yorkshire girls who later revealed they were fakes) – those fooled included celebrated writer Arthur Conan Doyle (played here effectively by Peter O'Toole) while cynics included magician Harry Houdini (a charming role for Harvey Keitel, who manages not to swear and keep his clothes on for once).

The supporting cast are excellent – Paul McGann as the girls' dad/uncle; Tim McInnerny and Bill Nighy as journalist snoops; and Phoebe Nicholls as the girls' mother/aunt. The girls themselves are played with ease by Florence Hoath and Elizabeth Earl. Mel Gibson has a tiny cameo at the end (I don't want to spoil it by saying as what).

A thumbs-up, too, for the special effects achieved in this movie. The movie certainly is sentimental and does seem to come down on the side of the unknown and imply that the girls' claims were true, but it is a terrific family film I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.