The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Director:

Terry Gilliam

Writer (WGA):

Ehren Kruger (written by)

Release Date:

26 August 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Thriller

Tagline:

Eliminating Evil Since 1812

Plot:

Will and Jake Grimm are traveling con-artists who encounter a genuine fairy-tale curse which requires true courage instead of their usual bogus exorcisms.

Plot Keywords:

Village | Exorcism | Curse | Con Artist | Girl

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Petr Ratimec	...	Young Will
Barbora Lukesová	...	Mother Grimm (as Barbara Lukesova)
Anna Rust	...	Sister Grimm
Jeremy Robson	...	Young Jacob
Matt Damon	...	Wilhelm Grimm
Heath Ledger	...	Jacob Grimm
Radim Kalvoda	...	Gendarme
Martin Hofmann	...	Gendarme
Josef Pepa Nos	...	German War Veteran
Harry Gilliam	...	Stable Boy
Miroslav Táborský	...	Old Miller
Roger Ashton-Griffiths	...	Mayor
Marika Sarah Procházková	...	Miller's Daughter (as Marika Prochazkova)
Mackenzie Crook	...	Hidlick
Richard Ridings	...	Bunst
Alena Jakobova	...	Red Hooded Girl
Rudolf Pellar	...	Watchman
Dana Dohnalova	...	Twin Sister
Petra Dohnalova	...	Twin Sister
Hanus Bor	...	Twins' Father
Ota Filip	...	Tavern Owner
Audrey Hamm	...	Traveler
Annika Murjahn	...	Traveler (as Annike Murjahn)
Lukás Bech	...	Barman (as Lukas Bech)
Karel Kohlicek	...	Bald French Soldier
Peter Stormare	...	Cavaldi
Julian Bleach	...	Letorc
Bruce MacEwen	...	Dax (as Bruce McEwan)
Jonathan Pryce	...	Delatombe
Martin Kavan	...	Delatombe's Valet
Eva Reitererová	...	Serving Wench
Denisa Vokurkova	...	Greta
Martin Svetlik	...	Hans
Jan Unger	...	Gregor
Laura Greenwood	...	Sasha
Frantisek Velecký	...	Old Crone (as Fero Velecky)
Jakub Zindulka	...	Minister
Milan Gargula	...	Contemptuous Villager
Drahomíra Fialková	...	Grandmother (as Drahomira Fialkova)
Ludek Elias	...	Grizzled Elder
Jana Radojcicová	...	Angry Woman (as Jana Radojcicova)
Lena Headey	...	Angelika
Tomás Hanák	...	Woodsman
Denisa Malinovska	...	Young Angelika
Monica Bellucci	...	Mirror Queen
Josef Vajnar	...	Bishop
Petr Vrsek	...	The King
Bara Rudlova	...	Angelika's Sister
Andrea Milackova	...	Angelika's Sister
Andrea Sochurkova	...	Angelika's Sister
Daniela Kubickova	...	Angelika's Sister
Veronika Loulova	...	Elsie
Vera Uzelacová	...	Elsie's Mother (as Viera Uzelacova)
Simona Vcalová	...	Elsie's Mother (as Simona Vcalova)
Julie Venhauerova	...	Goose Girl
Deborah Hyde	...	Corpse Queen
Václav Chalupa	...	Aide De Camp
Jiri Krejcir	...	Fat Soldier
Kamila Bruderova	...	Dumpy Farm Girl
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tomas Liska	...	Best Man (uncredited)
Nigel Pilkington	...	Various (uncredited)

Directed by
Terry Gilliam

Writing credits (WGA)
Ehren Kruger		(written by)

Produced by
Daniel Bobker	....	producer
Michel Cheyko	....	associate producer (as Mishka Cheyko)
Jonathan Gordon	....	executive producer
Chris McGurk	....	executive producer
Jake Myers	....	co-producer
Andrew Rona	....	executive producer
Charles Roven	....	producer
John D. Schofield	....	executive producer
Michael Solinger	....	co-producer
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Dario Marianelli

Cinematography by
Newton Thomas Sigel		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Lesley Walker

Casting by
Irene Lamb

Production Design by
Guy Hendrix Dyas

Art Direction by
Keith Pain		(supervising art director)
Jirí Sternwald
Andy Thomson
Frank Walsh		(senior art director)

Set Decoration by
Judy Farr
Guy Hendrix Dyas		(uncredited)

Costume Design by
Gabriella Pescucci
Carlo Poggioli

Makeup Department
Christine Beveridge	....	makeup designer (as Chrissie Beveridge)
Desideria Corridoni	....	hair stylist
Maria Teresa Corridoni	....	hair stylist (as Maria Theresa Corridoni)
Karl Derrick	....	prosthetic makeup supervisor
Polly Earnshaw	....	makeup artist
Kay Georgiou	....	hair stylist: Mr. Damon
Richard Glass	....	contact lens optician
Sarah Grispo	....	makeup artist
Maureen McGill	....	crowd makeup artist
Vera Mitchell	....	hair designer
Vera Mitchell	....	wig designer
Ivana Nemec	....	hair stylist (as Ivana Nemcova)
Ruzena Novotna	....	makeup artist
Roisin O'Reilly	....	makeup artist
Mario Pegoretti	....	hair stylist
Gabina Polakova	....	makeup artist: second unit
Vivien Riley	....	makeup artist
Jemma Scott-Knox-Gore	....	contact lens technician
Bobo Sobotka	....	additional makeup artist
Eva Ungrová-Malíková	....	hair stylist (as Eva Ungrová)
Eva Ungrová-Malíková	....	makeup artist (as Eva Ungrova)
Milan Vlcek	....	hair stylist
Milan Vlcek	....	wig maker
Gabriela Polakova	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Tim Clawson	....	executive in charge of production
Roberto Malerba	....	unit production manager
Richard Sharkey	....	production manager: second unit
Ondrej Slama	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Michel Cheyko	....	first assistant director (as Mishka Cheyko)
Richard Graysmark	....	second assistant director
Martina Götthansova	....	second second assistant director (as Martina Gotthansova)
Nathan Holmes	....	third assistant director
Christopher Hughes	....	third assistant director: model unit (as Chris Hughes)
Lubos Kadane	....	third assistant director
Mario Luraschi	....	second unit action director
Petr Nemecek	....	first assistant director: action unit
Vladimir Nemecek	....	second unit
Jirí Ostry	....	first assistant director: second unit
Petr Palous	....	assistant director: Czech cast
Frantisek Rezek	....	second assistant director: second unit
Srdjan Simeonovich	....	third assistant director (as Srdjan Simeonovic)
Michele Soavi	....	second unit director
David Strangmueller	....	third assistant director (as David Strangmuller)
Jan Strasik	....	second assistant director: action unit

Art Department
Fatiha Aitbadi	....	chargehand greensman
Adrian Aitken	....	supervising plasterer (as Adrian Aitkin)
Mark Allett	....	chargehand greensman
Dominique Arcadio	....	assistant art director (as Dominique Dyas)
Daniel Auber	....	conceptual storyboard artist (as Daniele Auber)
Will Ayres	....	stand-by property
Milan Babik	....	propman
Marek Bartak	....	draughtsman
Krystof Binder	....	art department runner
Jan Blazicek	....	illustrator
Steve Bohan	....	construction coordinator
Jana Bulakova	....	art department interpreter
Corina Burrough	....	property buyer
Milos Cerny	....	stand-by carpenter
Alice Chrastova	....	art department interpreter
Gary Crosby	....	hod painter
Jiri Ctvrtecka	....	stand-by rigger
Frantisek Cupita	....	stand-by greens
Kamila Drnkova	....	construction nurse
Dean Dunham	....	chargehand painter
Jaroslav Fiala	....	set dresser
Patrik Forejt	....	stand-by carpenter
Barbora Formanova	....	model maker
Jan Garbaczewski	....	set dresser
Petr Garbaczewski	....	set dresser
Petr Grig	....	draughtsman
David Haberfield	....	painter supervisor (as Dave Haberfield)
Peter Hawkins	....	key construction rigger
Karel Hladilek	....	stand-by greens
Vojta Hlavicka	....	assistant to greens coordinator
Roger Holden	....	key greensman
Mirek Holub	....	stand-by construction: action unit
Mirek Holub	....	stand-by props: action unit
Peter Hooper	....	chargehand greensman
Lucie Jalovecka	....	art department coordinator
Milan Janostik	....	stand-by property
Radan Kapinos	....	props stand-by: second unit
Dan King	....	chargehand greensman
Jozin Kolodzej	....	construction chargehand
Marek Kopek	....	draughtsman
Stefan Kovacik	....	draughtsman
Jan Kovarik	....	model maker
Michal Kraus	....	stand-by property
Eleonora Krejci	....	illustrator
Vladimir Kuch	....	chargehand painter
Vladimir Kvech	....	property buyer
Pavel Lipert	....	stand-by greens
Jon Marson	....	chargehand greensman (as Jonathan Marson)
Zdenek Maska	....	construction supervisor
Richard A. McCarthy	....	key plasterer (as Richard McCarthy)
Daniel Michl	....	storeman
Stephen John Morris	....	supervising plasterer (as Stephen Morris)
Jiri Navratil	....	propman
Andrea Nemcova	....	draughtsman
Václav Novak	....	draughtsman (as Vaclav Novak)
Seamus O'Sullivan	....	key carpenter
Harry Pain	....	greens coordinator
Jan Palcr	....	set dresser
Steve Payne	....	stand-by greens
Raymond Perry	....	property master (as Ray Perry)
Vaclav Pomahac	....	construction stand-by: second unit
Darren Reynolds	....	stand-by property
David Scurtescu	....	greens stand-by: second unit
Mia Simeckova	....	construction nurse
Mickey Spence	....	supervising plasterer (as Michael Spence)
Petr Srot	....	model maker
Jiri Stejc	....	model maker
Leona Telinova	....	model maker
Martina Ter-Akopowá	....	art department coordinator (as Martina Ter-Akopowa)
Steve Transfield	....	supervising plasterer
Zbynek Trojan	....	stand-by carpenter
Miroslav Ulbert	....	model maker
Kurt Van Der Basch	....	illustrator
Marck Vanc	....	dressing greensman
Slavek Vankat	....	greens coordinator
Karel Vanásek	....	property master (as Karel Vanasek)
Jaromir Vaverka	....	set dresser
Zdena Vlkova	....	workshop nurse
Ivan Vranek	....	chargehand plasterer
Karl Wardle	....	modelmaker
Frantisek Weber	....	draughtsman
David Weller	....	supervising construction rigger (as Dave Weller)
Kevin Wheeler	....	set dressing props
Alan Williams	....	key construction rigger
Steve Williamson	....	painter supervisor
Ian Young	....	charge hand dressing props
Mirek Zdenek	....	draughtsman
Miroslav Zdenek	....	draughtsman
Marketa Bockova	....	assistant set decorator (uncredited)
Andrej Kostic	....	stand-by painter (uncredited)
Miroslav Mraz	....	stand-by construction (uncredited)
Dubi Preger	....	fabricator (uncredited)
Dubi Preger	....	mouldmaker (uncredited)
Stanislav Suva	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
James Bennett	....	adr recordist
Gordon Brown	....	dialogue editor
Paul Carr	....	adr recordist
Tomas Cervenka	....	cableman
Tomas Cervenka	....	second boom operator
Doug Cooper	....	re-recording engineer
Felicity Cottrell	....	foley artist
Petr Forejt	....	sound mixer: second unit
Matthew Gough	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jaroslav Jehlicka	....	sound mixer: second unit
Robin Knapp	....	first assistant sound editor
Mark Lafbery	....	foley recordist (as Mark Lufbury)
Nick Lowe	....	adr editor
Claire Mahoney	....	foley artist (as Clare Mahoney)
Barry O'Sullivan	....	boom operator
Mike Prestwood Smith	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Michael Prestwood Smith)
Michael Redfern	....	foley editor
Gemma Richardson	....	assistant sound editor
Mark Rose	....	adr editor
Ivan Sharrock	....	production sound mixer
Alastair Sirkett	....	sound effects editor
Chris Sturmer	....	consultant: Dolby Sound (as Chris Strumer)
Jason Swanscott	....	foley artist
Andy Thompson	....	adr recordist
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
Ian Wilson	....	supervising sound editor
Twydor Davis	....	dialogue editor (uncredited)
Nick Foley	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Chris Navarro	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Gemma Nicholson	....	assistant sound editor (uncredited)
Jamie Roden	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
Ted Swanscott	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Harry Bryce	....	senior special effects technician: second unit
Julian Butterfield	....	special effects assistant
Chris Byrne	....	model maker: miniatures
Chris Clarke	....	creature effects supervisor (as Chris Clark)
Garry Cooper	....	special effects workshop supervisor
Jo Fenton	....	special effects fabricator
Jo Fenton	....	special effects sculptor
Michele Gelormini	....	special effects fabricator
Michele Gelormini	....	special effects sculptor
Terry Glass	....	special effects floor supervisor
Gustav Hoegen	....	animatronics designer
Mike Hyrman	....	special effects buyer
Mike Hyrman	....	special effects technician
Magdalena Jansdotter-Nilsson	....	special effects fabricator
Rick Jotle	....	special effects: equipment
Mike Kelt	....	special effects supervisor
Angela Kyriacou	....	special effects fabricator
Angela Kyriacou	....	special effects sculptor
Jason Leinster	....	special effects wire supervisor
Matt Lewis	....	special effects technician
Petr Lukavec	....	special effects technician: second unit
Rick Marr	....	senior creature effects technician
Kevin Mathews	....	wire coordinator: tower sequence
Darren May	....	special effects supervisor: first unit
Doug McCarthy	....	special effects supervisor: second unit
Zuzana Milfort	....	special effects coordinator (as Zuzu Milfort)
Alexander Morgan	....	special effects technician: Cutting Edge
Neil Murray	....	special effects wire rigger
Craig Narramore	....	special effects technician
Nigel Nixon	....	special effects technician: Cutting Edge
Karl Openshaw	....	special effects technician
Stuart Richards	....	special effects assistant
Matthew Roberts	....	special effects technician
Robbie Scott	....	model maker
Boris Tatarov	....	special effects technician: second unit
Simon Tayler	....	special effects supervisor
Jody Taylor	....	senior special effects technician
Mark Vanstone	....	special effects technician: Cutting Edge
Jirí Vojtech	....	special effects senior technician
Stuart Wishart	....	special effects engineer
Peter Yesley	....	special effects
Chris Clarke	....	animatronics supervisor (uncredited)
Chris Fitzgerald	....	key sculptor (uncredited)
Ernst Gschwind	....	senior technician (uncredited)
Jared Manley	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Ruben Marcos	....	prop/mold maker (uncredited)
Rick Marr	....	puppeteer (uncredited)
Darren Perry	....	model crew (uncredited)
Martin Pryca	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Chris Rosewarne	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Jan Singh	....	special effects senior technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Andrea Adams	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Stella Ampatzi	....	digital painter: Peerless Computer Company
Sarah Anker	....	special effects coordinator: Cutting Edge
Richard Bain	....	senior compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Ken Baker	....	first assistant director: model unit
Mark Bakowski	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Nick Bedford	....	digital effects coordinator: Peerless Computer Company
Steven Begg	....	model unit director (as Steve Begg)
Joel Bellsham	....	sculptor: large oak tree, Cutting Edge
Holly Blenkins	....	model maker: Cutting Edge
Janice Body	....	roto artist: Peerless Computer Company
Martin Body	....	senior roto artist: Peerless Computer Company
Jim Bowers	....	matte painter: Peerless Computer Company
Anna Brabin	....	second assistant director: model unit
Mark Bradley	....	administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Steve Brown	....	plasterer head of department: Cutting Edge
Nadine Buckley	....	systems administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Andy Bunce	....	senior special effects technician: Cutting Edge
Duncan Burbidge	....	production assistant: Peerless Computer Company
Andreas Bystrom	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Duncan Capp	....	senior special effects technician: Cutting Edge
Marco Carpagnano	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Paul Charisse	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Rhys Claringbull	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Andy Collings	....	senior special effects technician: atmospherics, Cutting Edge
Steve Cook	....	senior modeler: Cutting Edge
Nik Cooper	....	senior special effects technician: Cutting Edge
Christine Cram	....	digital painter: Peerless Computer Company
Andy Crumpholt	....	model maker: Cutting Edge
Nova Curthoys	....	administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Louise Day	....	model maker: Cutting Edge
Tom Debenham	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Otto Dent	....	roto artist: Peerless Computer Company
John Paul Docherty	....	digital effects supervisor: Peerless Computer Company (as Paul Docherty)
Colin Doncaster	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Ditch Doy	....	head of CG: Peerless Camera Company
Erik Ellefsen	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Sander Ellers	....	senior modeler: Cutting Edge
Catherine Elvidge	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Michele Fabian-Jones	....	model unit producer
Claire Ford	....	administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Raffaele Fragapane	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Adam Gefen	....	compositor: Peerless Camera Company
Ben Goldschmied	....	motion control operator: model unit
Tyler Gooden	....	administrator: Peerless Computer Company
Charlotte Greenwood	....	senior modeler: Cutting Edge
Mark Gregory	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Ed Hall	....	administrator: Peerless Computer Company
Faraz Hameed	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company (as Faraz Hammed)
Andy Hayes	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Barrie Hemsley	....	model unit producer
Ben Hicks	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Christopher Hobbs	....	modeller head of department: Cutting Edge (as Chris Hobbs)
Mark Holdcroft	....	senior mechanical technician: Cutting Edge
Greg Horswill	....	modeller: dressing, Cutting Edge
Katie Houston	....	administrator: Peerless Computer Company
Kent Houston	....	visual effects supervisor
Sandy Houston	....	digital painter: Peerless Computer Company
Peter Seymour Howell	....	visual effects buyer: Cutting Edge (as Peter Seymour-Howell)
Chris Hughes	....	third assistant director: model unit
Jack Hughes	....	roto artist: Peerless Computer Company
Tom Humberstone	....	administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Jeremy Hume	....	visual effects editor
Linda Johnson	....	CG sequence lead animator: Peerless Computer Company
Dennis Jones	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Robert Jones	....	senior modeler: Cutting Edge (as Rob Jones)
Marc Jouveneau	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Simon Jung	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Tomi Keeling	....	motion control assistant: model unit
Andrew Kingston	....	systems administrator: Peerless Computer Company
Diane Kingston	....	digital effects producer: Peerless Computer Company
Joosten Kuypers	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Sophie Leclerc	....	visual effects producer
Katie Lodge	....	model maker: Cutting Edge
Daniel Loeb	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Charlie Lovett	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Ian Mackinnon	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
James Madigan	....	visual effects coordinator
Sarah Marchant	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Glenn Marsh	....	modeller: Cutting Edge
Jamie McCarter	....	animator: Peerless Camera Comnpany
Jason McDonald	....	animator: Peerless Camera Comnpany
Ian McFadyen	....	animator: Peerless Camera Comnpany (as Ian McFayden)
Mike McGuinness	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Karen McLuskey	....	production coordinator: model unit
Ian Menzies	....	motion control supervisor: model unit
Greg Morgan	....	senior modeler: Cutting Edge
Karl Morgan	....	first assistant camera: model unit
Dylan Murray	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
John Nolan	....	modeller: Cutting Edge
John O'Lone	....	administrator: Peerless Computer Company
Tim Ollive	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Dominic Parker	....	CG sequence lead animator: Peerless Computer Company
David Pearson	....	first assistant director: model unit
Paul Perrott	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company (as Porl Perrott)
Simon Pickard	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Ed Plant	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Dave Pritchard	....	previz artist
Janet Quen	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Sagar Rathod	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Steven Read	....	CG sequence lead animator: Peerless Computer Company
Paul Round	....	senior compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Craig Rowe	....	digital compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Adrian Russell	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Christoph Salzmann	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Robbie Scott	....	model supervisor: Cutting Edge
Steve Scott	....	modeller: Cutting Edge
Michael Shart	....	modeller: Cutting Edge
Bill Shortell	....	systems administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Tom Simmons	....	modeller: Cutting Edge
Mark Slade	....	systems administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Danny Smith	....	systems administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Marianne Speight	....	production manager: Peerless Computer Company
Mark Spevick	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Nigel Stone	....	director of photography: model unit
Sebastian Sue	....	senior modeler: Cutting Edge
John Swinnerton	....	senior compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Peter Talbot	....	director of photography: model unit
Emeline Tedder	....	rotoscope artist
Vincent Thomas	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Joe Thornley	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Rebecca Timons	....	model maker
Ben Toogood	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Pablo Tufaro	....	animator: Peerless Camera Company
Marc Twinam-Cauchi	....	animator: Peerless Computer Company
Bil Van Ness	....	senior animator (as Bill Van Ness)
Adam Winter	....	modeller: Cutting Edge
Trevor Young	....	compositor: Peerless Computer Company
Thomas Zancker	....	systems administrator: Peerless Camera Company
Alistair Bell	....	senior modeller (uncredited)
Erik J. Borzi	....	pre-visualization animator: Pixel Liberation Front (uncredited)
Glenn Burton	....	previs artist (uncredited)
Mike Connolly	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Clare Johanna Downie	....	administrator: Peerless (uncredited)
Laura Dubsky	....	digital scanning and recording: Cinesite (uncredited)
William Foxwell	....	digital lab operator: Lip Sync Post (uncredited)
Jeremy Hall	....	assistant digital effects supervisor (uncredited)
Katja Hollmann	....	digital lab supervisor: Lipsync Post (uncredited)
Lorraine Johnson	....	film scanning supervisor: Cinesite (uncredited)
Simon Johnson	....	film scanning operator: Cinesite (uncredited)
Katy Lemon	....	digital lab operator: Lip Sync Post (uncredited)
Fabio Leporelli	....	technical director (uncredited)
Alasdair MacCuish	....	scanning producer: Lipsync Post (uncredited)
Sarah MacKenzie	....	administrator (uncredited)
Eoin Murphy	....	visual effects artist: Peerless (uncredited)
Thomas Müller	....	visual effects artist: Peerless (uncredited)
Cinzia Pegorin	....	lighting artist (uncredited)
Venetia Penna	....	film scanning operator: Cinesite (uncredited)
Kevin Phelan	....	scanning and recording producer: Lip Sync Post (uncredited)
Rob Pizzey	....	digital colourist (uncredited)
John Slattery	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Rainer Stolle	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Desi Vanrintel	....	3D scanning (uncredited)
Pat Wong	....	digital compositor (uncredited)

Stunts
Jiri Bednar	....	stunt double: Mr. Pryce
Agnès Brun	....	stunt performer (as Agnes Brun)
Felix Capek	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Felix Capek	....	stunt performer
Patrice Cossoneau	....	stunt double: Mr. Damon
Marek Docekal	....	stunt performer
Karel Hanzálek	....	stunt performer
Martin Hubinka	....	stunt performer
Pavel Jahoda	....	stunt double: Mr. Stormare
Tomas Jakl	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Erik Kalivoda	....	stunt performer
Jan Kaspar	....	stunt performer
Frantisek Klinec	....	stunt performer
Jirí Kuba	....	stunt coordinator (as Jiri Kuba)
Petr Lacina	....	stunt performer
Frédéric Laforet	....	stunt double: Mr. Ledger (as Frederic La Foret)
Pascal Lopez	....	stunt performer
Pascal Lopez	....	sword master
Mario Luraschi	....	stunt coordinator
Pascal Madura	....	stunt coordinator (as Pascal Madura 'Chino')
Miroslav Manhart	....	stunt performer
Rick Marcus	....	stunt double: Neil Hopkins
Zdenek Mares	....	stunt performer
Samantha Martin	....	stunt double: Ms. Headey (as Sam Martin)
Cyril Novak	....	stunt performer
Jan Novák	....	stunt performer (as Jan Novak)
Daniel Pantucek	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Martin Peka	....	stunt performer
Tomas Peterman	....	stunt performer
Lukas Pilc	....	stunt performer
Otto Requette	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Karel Schor	....	stunt performer
Roman Spacil	....	stuntman
Michal Stepo	....	stunt performer
Ondrej Tatka	....	stunt performer
Patrice Vabre	....	stunt performer
Josef Veverka	....	stunt performer
Jan Vlasak	....	stunt performer
Pete White	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Stephen Bridgewater	....	utility stunts (uncredited)
Pete White	....	action director (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Giampaolo Bagala	....	key grip
Tomas Beseda	....	electrician
Ondrej Bocek	....	gaffer
Steve Brooke Smith	....	focus puller: "a" camera, model unit
Jan Cabalka	....	second assistant camera: action unit
Daniele Cafolla	....	best boy
Fabio Cafolla	....	gaffer
Pete Cavaciuti	....	camera operator: "a" camera (as Peter Cavaciuti)
Chris Centrella	....	supervising gaffer
Chris Centrella	....	supervising grip
Milan Chadima	....	camera operator: second unit
Milan Chadima	....	director of photography: second unit
Karel Charvat	....	key grip
Richard Copeman	....	clapper loader: "b" camera, model unit
Massimiliano Dessena	....	best boy grip
Lenka Dimitrovova	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Christopher Dolphin	....	camera trainee: model unit
François Duhamel	....	unit photographer (as Francois Duhamel)
Jiri Filipovsky	....	best boy
Micky Flynn	....	gaffer: model unit (as Mickey Flynn)
Ronnie Green	....	electrician: model unit
Alan Hall	....	clapper loader: "a" camera, model unit
Tony Hannington	....	electrician: model unit
Marek Havel	....	loader
Simon Heck	....	focus puller: "b" camera, model unit
Roman Hodek	....	key grip: second unit
Michal Houzvicka	....	rigging grip
Jirí Hovorka	....	grip (as Jiri Hovorka)
Josef Jancarik	....	electrician
Lukas Jaromersky	....	electrician: action unit
Hynek Jecha	....	grip
Jimmy E. Jensen	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera (as Jimmy Jensen)
John Jordan	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Peter Joslin	....	electrician: model unit
Milos Kabela	....	grip: second unit
Jaromír Kalina	....	Steadicam operator: action unit
Lizzie Kelly	....	first video assistant: action unit
Petr Koutný	....	key grip: action unit (as Petr Koutny)
Jan Kovarik	....	grip
Jiri Krenek	....	electrician
Jirka Kubik	....	camera trainee
Petr Machacek	....	first assistant camera: action unit
David Mamula	....	video assist: second unit (as David Marmula)
Lee McGee	....	electrician: model unit
Rene Michalicka	....	gaffer: action unit
Steve Morgan	....	grip: model unit
Tomas Munzberger	....	camera loader: second unit
Anthony G. Nakonechnyj	....	chief lighting dude (as Tony Nakonechnyj)
Mark Nutkins	....	camera assistant: "a" camera, model unit
Nicola Pecorini	....	additional photographer
Darryl Polk	....	dimmer board operator
Lukas Pospisil	....	second video assist: action unit
Jan Pous	....	best boy grip
Jan Rehanzl	....	best boy grip
Kate Reid	....	clapper loader: "a" camera, model unit
Adam Rogers	....	best boy: model unit
John Rogers	....	gaffer: model unit
Rebecca Steel Roven	....	camera intern (as Rebecca Roven)
Ervin Sanders	....	director of photography: action unit
Marek Schnierer	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Garth Sewell	....	grip: model unit (as Gareth Sewell)
Sky Sharrock	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Andrew Shields	....	motion control video operator (as Andy Shields)
Nick Shuster	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Jan Simecek	....	electrician: second unit
Jan Skriecka	....	second assistant camera: action unit
Tomas Soucek	....	technician: Scorpio head, action unit
Jan Stastny	....	additional camera operator
Vaclav Strozik	....	electrician
Stanislav Vales	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera (as Standa Vales)
Peter Versey	....	camera operator: "a" camera, model unit
Jiri Vesely	....	grip: action unit
Fran Weston	....	additional assistant camera: model unit
Miro Zila	....	gaffer: second unit
Kamil Zvonicek	....	rigging gaffer
Garrett Brown	....	camera operator: SuperFlyCam (uncredited)
Michael Cella	....	electrician (uncredited)
Dane Clarke	....	assistant camera: SuperFlycam (uncredited)
Ladislav Hruby	....	first assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Ian Kelly	....	video engineer (uncredited)
Miroslav Pavlik	....	assistant camera: "b" camera, second unit (uncredited)

Animation Department
Paul Perrott	....	animator

Casting Department
Amela Abadzic	....	assistant casting: Czech
Vanessa Baker	....	adr voice casting: Lyps Inc.
Emily Craig	....	assistant casting director: UK
Brendan Donnison	....	adr voice casting: Lyps Inc.
Jessica Horáthová	....	casting: Czech (as Jessica Horvathova)
Katrina Wolfe	....	casting executive: UK

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Milena Adamová	....	seamstress (as Milena Adamova)
Petra Barochová	....	costumer: extras (as Petra Barochovaá)
Alfredo Bocci	....	wardrobe master
Flora Borrelli	....	costume illustrator
Stefania Borrelli	....	costume illustrator
Flora Brancatella	....	assistant costume designer
Sabrina Canale	....	wardrobe coordinator
Serena Fiumi	....	assistant costume designer
Terry Gilliam	....	dress pattern maker
Gastone Grassi	....	assistant costume cutter: men (as Castone Grassi)
Giampiero Grassi	....	costume cutter: men (as Giampietro Grassi)
Tony Grisoni	....	dress pattern maker
Silvia Guidoni	....	costume workshop master
Maria Hubackova	....	set costumer
Monica Iacuzzo	....	costume illustrator
Concetta Iannelli	....	costume workshop hod
Gianni Indovino	....	metal labor
Lucie Krausova	....	seamstress
Mila Krausova	....	wardrobe mistress
Elsa Malandra	....	head costume cutter: men
Romana Martinkova	....	seamstress
Adriana Mattiozzi	....	head costume cutter: women
Jana Mülerová	....	extras costumer
Marie Neubauerova	....	seamstress
Rossana Nicoletta	....	workshop assistant
Anna Orazi	....	assistant costume cutter: men
Massimo Cantini Parrini	....	assistant costume designer
Enzo Serafino Pellegrino	....	chief dyer (as Serafino Pellegrino)
Gregory B. Peña	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Gregory Pena)
Petra Pospisilova	....	seamstress
Ladislav Procházka	....	set costumer (as Ladislav Prochazka)
Renata Rysava	....	set costumer
Renata Rysava	....	wardrobe: second unit
Miroslava Slaba	....	seamstress
Barnaby Smith	....	dresser: Mr. Damon
Zdenek Spina	....	seamstress
Petra Syslova	....	seamstress
Dita Valentinova	....	wardrobe coordinator
Sarka Zvolenska	....	costume supervisor
Viera Zvonarova	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Matt Adams	....	digital intermediate producer: One Post
Linda A. Borgeson	....	executive in charge of post-production (as Linda Borgeson)
Martin Corbett	....	first assistant editor
Joann D'Arby	....	assistant digital intermediate producer: One Post
Rob Gordon	....	digital on-line editor: One Post
Emily Greenwood	....	assistant digital on-line editor: One Post
John Hinchliffe	....	digital film technical manager: One Post
Julian May	....	assistant editor
Paul Monaghan	....	assistant editor
Vincent Narduzzo	....	digital colorist: One Post (as Vince Narduzzo)
David Rees	....	color timer
Anna Ryndová	....	assistant film editor (as Anna Ryndova)
Sárka Sklenárová	....	assistant film editor (as Sarka Sklenarova)
Gina Tornatore	....	editor trainee
Laurent Treherne	....	digital film technical director: One Post
Samantha Welland	....	post-production coordinator
Jennifer Lane	....	post-production executive (uncredited)
John Palmer	....	digital film bureau manager: Laser Record (uncredited)
Mark Wright	....	negative cutter (uncredited)

Music Department
Simon Allen	....	musician: specialist percussion
James Bellamy	....	music editor
Matt Biffa	....	source music clearances
Tatjana Cechovska	....	music coordinator: Czech (as Tatána Cechovská)
Nicholas Cervonaro	....	assistant music engineer (as Nick Cervonaro)
Paul Clarvis	....	musician: specialist percussion
Rupert Coulson	....	score recording & mixing
Jake Jackson	....	assistant music engineer
Takuya Kikuchi	....	musician: boy soprano
The London Oratory School Schola	....	musicians: boys choir
Dashiell Rae	....	music editor
Maggie Rodford	....	music supervisor: Air-Edel
Hilary Skewes	....	musician contractor
Desislava Stefanova	....	musician: vocals (as Dessislava Stefanova)
Benjamin Wallfisch	....	conductor
Benjamin Wallfisch	....	orchestrator
Michael Watkins	....	musician: boy soprano
Rolf Wilson	....	orchestra leader
Ian Wood	....	assistant music engineer
Alison Wright	....	music supervisor: Air-Edel
Randy Spendlove	....	executive in charge of music (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Martin Cerny	....	driver: Mr. Damon
Dan Hampel	....	transport captain: second unit
Jirka Holocek	....	driver: Mr. Schofield
Silvie Janculová	....	transportation coordinator (as Silvia Janculova)
Karel Jiran	....	driver: Mr. Ledger
Jonas Kabrt	....	assistant transportation coordinator
Jirí Nosek	....	driver: Mr. Gilliam (as Jiri Nosek)
Martin Petr	....	driver: Ms. Bellucci
Josef Posejpal	....	driver: Mr. Pryce
Mamadou Sall	....	driver: Mr. Damon (as Madou Sall)
Samuel Ter-Akopow	....	assistant transportation coordinator

Other crew
Damian Anderson	....	assistant production coordinator
Joëlle Baland	....	horse riding teacher (as Joelle Baland)
Ota Bares	....	animal handler
Neil Bell	....	assistant: Mr. Ledger
Pavel Berka	....	key set production assistant: action unit
Mike Bocek	....	key set production assistant
Stéphane Bourquin	....	groom
Linda Bowen	....	assistant accountant
Stephen Bridgewater	....	acting coach
Zack Brown	....	assistant: Mr. Roven
Lucie Burianová	....	set production assistant
Martine Caron	....	horse coordinator: second unit
Ruth Chan	....	assistant: Mr. Marianelli
Florence Chicot	....	riding double
Rupert Christie	....	assistant: Mr. Marianelli
Magda Chýlková	....	assistant accountant (as Magda Chylkova)
Johnny Cicco	....	stand-in: Mr. Damon (as Johnny 'Cheers' Cicco)
Sarka Cimbalova	....	office production assistant
Nikki Clapp	....	script supervisor
Carmela Compagnone	....	assistant accountant
Eva Dvorakova	....	set nurse
Helena Frankova	....	key set production assistant: second unit
Amy Gilliam	....	assistant: Mr. Gilliam
Jacqueline T. Green	....	chaperone
Gerry Grennell	....	dialogue coach
Alexander Gurlich	....	office runner
Martin Hanus	....	horse master
Tarn Harper	....	post-production accountant
Jon D. Harris	....	chef: Mr. Damon
Zuzana Hercikova	....	groom
Alex Hilebronner	....	chef: Mr. Damon (as Alex Hillbronner)
Viera Hladisova	....	co-production assistant accountant
Vojta Hlavicka	....	interpreter
Lynne Hockney	....	movement coach: Mr. Damon
Sam Holt	....	production coordinator: second unit
Klara Holubova	....	production coordinator: action unit
Veronika Horka	....	production coordinator
Maia Horniak	....	assistant: Michele Soavi
Pauline Hume	....	title designer: end titles
Magdalena Jansdotter-Nilsson	....	production assistant
Lenka Kadlecova	....	assistant production coordinator
Vladimir Kesl	....	computer technician
Ales Komárek	....	production executive: Reforma Films (as Ales Komarek)
Tomas Kreisl	....	cashier
Jiri Krejcir	....	location manager
Helena Kreuterova	....	assistant: Mr. Luraschi
Sandra Lee	....	product placement & marketing (as Sandra Gabrych)
Edita Leva	....	assistant: Mr. Luraschi
Stéphane Linet	....	armorer (as Stephan Linet)
Mario Luraschi	....	horse master
Radim Macha	....	animal handler
Iveta Madura	....	groom
Sharon Mansfield	....	script supervisor: second unit
Tomás Masopust	....	assistant cashier (as Tomas Masopust)
Dusan Matic	....	extras coordinator
Ivan Mavor	....	assistant accountant
Frantisek Mekota	....	assistant horse master
Frantisek Mesícek	....	armorer (as Frantisek Mesicek)
Filip Michalik	....	assistant accountant
Jana Nemcova	....	script supervisor: action unit
Colin J. O'Hara	....	assistant: Mr. Damon (as Colin O'Hara)
Joseph Palmer	....	assistant: Mr. Roven
Mirek Pechar	....	customs broker (as Miroslav Pechar)
Alexandra Pepper	....	groom
Rene Pikl	....	caterer: second unit
Marketa Poruba	....	production secretary (as Marketa Porubova)
Stefano Priori	....	financial controller
Eda Raban	....	catering
Lubica Ruzickova	....	assistant accountant (as L'Ubica Ruzickova)
Lucie Ryan	....	assistant: Mr. Roven
Annabel Schofield	....	assistant: Mr. Schofield
Patric Scott	....	unit publicist
Vladimir Seiml	....	location assistant
Jan Sladek	....	set production assistant
Roman Spacil	....	fencing instructor
Petr Splichal	....	key production assistant
Vaclav Sramek	....	set production assistant
Matthew Stein	....	studio executive
Val Sunderland	....	location accountant
Katerina Svobodova	....	accounts runner
Gretchen Treser	....	set production assistant
Jan Unger	....	manager: second unit
David Walter	....	assistant: Mr. Marianelli
Elizabeth West	....	continuity: model unit (as Liz West)
Peter Ziak	....	assistant accountant
Finn Brandt	....	title designer (uncredited)
Jen Lambert	....	unit nurse (uncredited)
Spencer Lamm	....	web site designer (uncredited)
Roman Spacil	....	sword master (uncredited)

Thanks
Ray Cooper	....	special thanks
Andrew Gumpert	....	special thanks
John Hadity	....	special thanks
Tom Hunter	....	special thanks
Jennifer Lane	....	special thanks
Peter McPartlin	....	special thanks
Miroslav Nemec	....	thanks
Lisbeth Savill	....	special thanks
Steven Soderbergh	....	thanks (as Steve Soderbergh)
Roman Tudzaroff Sr.	....	special thanks
Roman Tudzaroff	....	special thanks (as Roman Tudzaroff Jr.)
Tim Wooster	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Dimension Films (presents)
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (presents)
• Mosaic Media Group
• Reforma Films (co-producer: Czech)
• Atlas Entertainment
• Summit Entertainment (uncredited)
• Weinstein Company, The (uncredited)

Distributors

• Miramax Films (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• Dimension Films (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2005) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Italia (2005) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Concorde Filmverleih (2005) (Germany) (theatrical)
• DeA Planeta Home Entertainment (2005) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Film Pop (2005) (Turkey) (theatrical)
• Golden Village Entertainment (2005) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Metropolitan Filmexport (2005) (France) (theatrical)
• Mongkol Film Company (2005) (Thailand) (theatrical)
• Nordisk Film Theatrical Distribution (2005) (Finland) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2005) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• SPI International (2005) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• SPI International (2005) (Slovakia) (theatrical)
• Sony Pictures Releasing (2005) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Toshiba Entertainment (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2006) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• West Film (2005) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Alliance Films (2010) (Canada) (DVD)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2008) (UK) (TV) (BBC2)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2007) (UK) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Concorde Home Entertainment (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
• DeA Planeta Home Entertainment (2005) (Spain) (DVD)
• Film1 (2006) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2006) (Czech Republic) (DVD)
• MGM Television (2006) (USA) (TV)
• Miramax Home Entertainment (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Nelonen (2008) (2010) (Finland) (TV)
• Nordisk Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD) (VHS)
• Nordisk Film (2006) (Sweden) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Veronica (2008) (Netherlands) (TV)

Special Effects

• Peerless Camera Company (visual effects)
• Cutting Edge (miniature visual effects)
• Artem (special effects)
• Flash Barrandov (special effects) (as Flash)
• Cine Image Film Opticals (digital end titles) (uncredited)
• Pixel Liberation Front (previsualization)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance provided by (as AON/Albert G. Ruben)
• ARRI  camera equipment supplied by (as ARRI Media)
• Air Lyndhurst Studios  music recorded at (as Air Lyndhurst Studios, London)
• Air-Edel Associates  music services
• Arion Facilities  dailies telecine transfers (uncredited)
• Brandt Animation  main title design
• Brandt Animation  title and credit design
• Cavalcade/Sarf  horses provided by
• Cutting Edge  negative cutting
• DDA Public Relations (DDA)  international publicity
• DDA Public Relations (DDA)  public relations
• DeLuxe Laboratories  post-production laboratory (as Deluxe London)
• Divize Filmove Laboratore  location laboratories (as Filmove Laboratore)
• Entertainment Clearances  rights and clearances (uncredited)
• Equi-Hanus  horses and horse stunts
• Fauna a Film Praha  animals provided by
• Film Laboratory Barrandov  dailies (as Barrandov Film Lab)
• Film Laboratory Barrandov  location laboratories (as Barrandov Studio)
• Filmové Studio Barrandov  construction and facilities
• Gearbox Sound and Vision  additional ProTools systems supplied by (uncredited)
• Goldcrest Post Production London  ADR Facility
• Goldcrest Post Production London  adr recording (as Goldcrest Post Production)
• Kodak  motion picture film supplied by
• Lee Lighting  lighting (uncredited)
• London Oratory School Schola, The  music performed by (as The London Oratory School Schola - boys' choir)
• Lyps Inc.  adr voice casting
• Macwell  computer services provided by
• Maratier  weapons
• Milan Records  soundtrack released by (uncredited)
• O'Melveny & Myers  legal services provided by: US
• Olswang  legal services provided by: UK
• One Post  digital intermediate
• One8Six  video playback equipment (uncredited)
• Orbit Digital  Avids
• Panavision UK  camera equipment
• Panavision  camera equipment serviced by
• Panavision  camera equipment
• Panther R.F.O., Praha  grip and lighting equipment (as Panther Prag)
• Sapex Scripts  post-production services
• Synergy Vocals  vocal contractors
• Technovision Cameras  camera equipment supplied by
• Tenon Media  co-production audit services provided by
• Tirelli Costumi  costumes
• Twickenham Studios  foley recording

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, frightening sequences and brief suggestive material

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA | Czech Republic | UK

Language:

English | French | German | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Czech Republic:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12 | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Australia:M | Hong Kong:IIB | Finland:K-11 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Philippines:PG-13 | Norway:11 | Brazil:14 | Germany:12 | Sweden:11 | Belgium:KT | Slovakia:12 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Argentina:13 | Malaysia:U | Hungary:16 | Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

Ledec nad Sázavou, Czech Republic

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

Both Terry Gilliam and Matt Damon wanted to hire Samantha Morton for the female lead, but Bob Weinstein and Harvey Weinstein vetoed this.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Will and Jacob escape, none of the ladders' rungs break. Later on, a few rungs have snapped.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Sister Grimm:Mama, it's so cold.
Mother Grimm:It's very, very cold. Will. Put another log on the fire, lad.
Young Will:There isn't any more firewood, Mama.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Terry's Wrap Up Party (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme - March Pour the Cérémonie des Turcs

Does not do justice to its subject matter

People have a curious tendency not to notice how bizarre and gruesome children's fairy tales often are. Terry Gilliam's "The Brothers Grimm" does notice. Unfortunately, that's just about its only insight into the subject. The film shows no understanding of what makes fairy tales memorable and exciting, or why they have endured through the ages.

A much better handling of the subject is the 1962 film "The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm," which intersperses a realistic though nonfactual account of the brothers' lives with dramatic recreations of the tales they collected. I'm not saying that Gilliam had to do a retread of the same material. I would be very happy to see a remake with a radically new approach, as long as it respects the underlying subject matter. Gilliam's film does not. Its storyline is mostly a long string of fantasy and horror clichés that remind us far more of contemporary movies than of classic fairy tales. The Big Bad Wolf, for example, has been reduced to a standard-issue wolf-man (brought to life with digital effects that are just a tad too jerky to be excused in our age of high-tech movie-making).

In this version, the brothers (Heath Ledger and Matt Damon, both inexplicably adopting English accents) are con artists who go from town to town posing as conjurers who can protect the local populace from evil spirits. A French general (Jonathan Pryce) catches on to what they're doing and forces them to work for him, on pain of death. But when they're sent to a new town, their old tricks prove useless against an age-old curse that really does haunt the woods.

The movie belongs to the old genre where famous writers become characters in their own stories. It's a genre I've never much liked, maybe because it suggests a failure to comprehend the powers of human imagination. ("No one could have made up these stories; they must have really happened!") But I have enjoyed a few films of this kind, such as the 1979 movie "Time After Time," where H.G. Wells builds a time machine and travels to the 1970s in pursuit of Jack the Ripper. This type of story has to work hard to achieve the willing suspension of disbelief. "The Brothers Grimm" fails on that front because it changes its reality too often. In an early scene, we're shown an intense battle with an awesome-looking banshee. Then the whole battle is revealed to have been staged. And then, later on, we're asked to believe that magic really does exist in this world after all. These repeated shifts in the story's reality are profoundly disorienting.

The source of disarray in the woods is an undead queen (Monica Bellucci) trying to regain her youth in an elaborate spell that will be completed once she sacrifices a series of children from the town. She resides in a tower in the woods, appearing as a skeleton on one side of a mirror and as a beautiful woman on the other. Her magical control over the woods serves as an excuse for numerous scenes of mysterious enchantment, most of which have a very tenuous connection to the central plot. The trees in the forest seem to have a life of their own, walking around when no one's looking. A mysterious creature lurks at the bottom of a well. The wolf-man is a servant of the mirror queen, using magic to ward off would-be visitors. But a coherent story never emerges from these elements. The screenplay seems to make up the rules as it goes along, inventing whatever is convenient at any given moment. Every now and then, some familiar quote is referenced--"Who is the fairest of them all?"; "What big eyes you have"; "You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man"--but always gratuitously. The movie's magical story is formless and convoluted, lacking any consistent narrative logic. It comes off as a series of elements arbitrarily glued together.

As a result, the magical sequences lack payoff. We keep waiting for something wondrous to happen, then nothing does. In one sequence, for example, two children named Hans and Greta are making their way through the woods, leaving a trail of bread crumbs in their wake. We eagerly await the children's encounter with the gingerbread house run by the cannibalistic witch, or at least something of comparable interest. But just about the only thing that happens is a mysterious sequence involving a levitating shawl. Like many other sequences in the film, this one doesn't go anywhere and has only the faintest connection with the mirror queen story.

No doubt there's an important theme at work in scenes like this. The movie is suggesting that the classic fairy tales are the result of accounts that have been embellished over time. But other writers have handled this theme much more effectively. Gregory Maguire's novel "Wicked," for example, turns "The Wizard of Oz" into a sophisticated adult fantasy with complex character motives and sly social satire. In that novel, there is a definite implication that we are being told the "real" story, and that the conventional version is the corruption. But the novel handles this conceit by expanding on the story, not degrading it. There's no point in creating a revisionist fairy tale if it's going to be less fleshed out than the original.