The Storyteller (TV Series) The Three Ravens (1988) User Reviews

What a Fantastic Story I Ever Seen

[BatBanks · 9/10 · 15 May 2014]

After losing his beloved wife, a King (Jonathan Pryce) is bewitched by an evil witch (Miranda Richardson) to married him and get the throne. She sees his children will stand in her. She eventually find the children secret hiding place in the wood. The King discover her true nature and she turn the three princes into ravens, but the princess (a young Joely Richardson) escapes. The ravens tell her that she cannot speak for three years, or they remain ravens forever.

This story was good, I never heard of this story. After seen this and I finding out it was based on the Brothers Grimm underrated story "The Six Swans". The only differences the princes were turned into swans not raven. Miranda Richardson played the most hateful and evil character I ever seen but I don't blame the Storyteller's dog for hated her and John Hurt made a good narrator at every episode in this fascinating series. I wish they should made a movie out this story.

Miranda Richardson steals the show in this episode

[mariettebliekendaal · 9/10 · 27 November 2023]

The episode is about a princess who escapes from a wicked stepmother. Her three brothers are not so lucky, because the stepmother changes them into ravens. The princess needs to remain silent for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days to break the spell.

Just a small plot irritation: although the princess does not keep her promise (she spoke a little too soon), the ravens are changed back into men, although youngest brother still has a raven wing. But I thought it was an all-or-nothing-spell? This bugs me.

But more seriously on the acting: I watched this episode over and over when I was a child, and I was always impressed with Joely Richardson as the princess. However, when you get older and watch the episode as an adult, you realize that Miranda Richardson steals the show in this one. She is truly the stepmother from hell and makes that perfectly clear with just a look, just breaking a sowing thread with her teeth, just a little move of the tongue... it just works!

The enchanting three ravens

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 21 December 2022]

Have always been a fan of Jim Henson and 'The Storyteller' has always been a timeless classic of a series. Love all the episodes in their own way, though some are more special than others. A very mature series tonally but with enough to not make it too dark for kids with some episodes being quite playful. Those who love the Muppets, 'The Dark Crystal' and 'Labyrinth' but haven't somehow seen 'The Storyteller' yet should do so absolutely.

"The Three Ravens", based on one of my favourite fairytales 'The Wild Swans' with a darker twist, is one of my favourite episodes of 'The Storyteller', with my favourite being "The Soldier and Death". It doesn't quite have the emotional impact of that episode, but still has that component and is also another one of the best acted and written. So another episode of 'The Storyteller' that falls in the special category and a very strong example of why the show is as good as it is and more than just childhood nostalgia.

Everything works here. "The Three Ravens" is one of the best looking episodes, looking splendid. Absolutely love the atmosphere present in the sets and the episode is beautifully shot, but it is the puppetry that shines most of it. Both spooky and beautiful. The music score similarly enchants, is hauntingly beautiful and its melancholic tone fits like a glove with the story's atmosphere.

Writing always engages with a wide mix of emotions evoked, neither feeling too hammy or too wordy and instead poetic and witty. The story is charming and also very moving, couldn't help tearing up at the end, with a touch of darkness that doesn't ever become traumatising.

Characters are spot on, with a very easy to relate to lead character. As said, "The Three Ravens" is one of the best acted episodes of 'The Storyteller' with top honours going to Miranda Richardson at her most hateable. John Hurt is perfectly cast in the title role of the show, and it was interesting seeing a young Joely Richardson (daughter of Vanessa Redgrave) and very appealing she is too.

In conclusion, another winner and one of the best episodes. 10/10.