Five Children and It (2004)

Four children staying in their eccentric uncle's labyrinthine mansion for protection during World War I befriend a sand fairy who has the power to grant wishes.

Director:

John Stephenson

Writers:

David Solomons, E. Nesbit (novel)

Stars:

Tara Fitzgerald, Freddie Highmore, Alex Jennings

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Mother
Freddie Highmore	...	Robert
Alex Jennings	...	Father
Jonathan Bailey	...	Cyril
Jessica Claridge	...	Anthea
Poppy Rogers	...	Jane
Alec Muggleton	...	Lamb
Zak Muggleton	...	Lamb
Zoë Wanamaker	...	Martha
Kenneth Branagh	...	Uncle Albert
Alexander Pownall	...	Horace
Eddie Izzard	...	It (voice)
Georgio Serafini	...	Mr. Bialli
John Sessions	...	Peasemarsh
Kim Fenton	...	RFC Flier

Storyline

'It' is a Psammead, an ancient, ugly and irritable sand fairy the children find one day on a secret beach at their uncle's mansion. It grants them one wish per day, lasting until sunset. But they soon learn it is very hard to think of really sensible wishes, and each one gets them into unexpected difficulties. Magic, the children find, can be as awkward as it is enticing.

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Plot Keywords:

fairy | uncle | eccentric | sunset | wish | 

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Taglines:

You are invited to discover the secret...

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

5 Children & It

Filming Locations:

England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$56,793 (South Africa) (24 June 2005)

Gross:

$106,955 (South Africa) (24 June 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sandfairy, Capitol Films, Endgame Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Uncle Albert says the answer to his maths problem (3465222) is "a prime number of the Zeeman series". This is a fictional series, first used in Flash Gordon by Dr Zarkov who says: "A-ha! I thought it was one of the prime numbers of the Zeeman series."

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Goofs

Despite taking place in circa 1917, the children sing "Happy Birthday to You", which wasn't written until 1924, and didn't game popularity until around 1930.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Robert: It was the Summer of nineteen seventeen and the world was at war. Like lots of children, we had to leave our home. - Leave London. We didn't want to go, but Dad went to fly planes, and Mum went to look after the wounded, and we were stuck. They insisted we go to the country, to stay with mad Uncle Albert and our cousin Horace.

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Connections

Version of Five Children and It (1991)

User Reviews

A British Family Film Like they used to make (but with modern FX)

I found this film utterly charming. I had to almost force my daughter to see it (she wanted to see The Princess Diaries 2 (shivers!!!!). But once the children found the Wishasuraus she was transfixed.

It is a film very much of British and of the Railway Children type. and will sadly be missed by many because of the Steam Roller Hype of Shark Tale. But this is a real FAMILY film.

The beginning has a distinct Harry Potter feel to it, The theme tune is clearly influenced by HP. Kenneth Branagh is the quintessential English Eccentric but unlike the Hollywood stereotype this is a British film that has it's tongue firmly in cheek. Zoe Wannamaker as the caring housekeeper who knows more that she lets on is wonderful.

Eddie Izzard as the voice of the Sand Fairy is perfect.

This is as British as Brighton Rock and Whelks in a tray at the sea side. And I loved it.