Paperhouse (1988)

A young girl lost in the loneliness and boredom of reality finds solace in an ill boy, whom she can visit in a surreal dream world that she drew in her school composition book.

Director:

Bernard Rose

Writers:

Catherine Storr (novel), Matthew Jacobs (screenplay)

Stars:

Charlotte Burke, Jane Bertish, Samantha Cahill

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charlotte Burke	...	Anna Madden
Jane Bertish	...	Miss Vanstone
Samantha Cahill	...	Sharon
Glenne Headly	...	Kate Madden
Sarah Newbold	...	Karen (Anna's school friend)
Gary Bleasdale	...	Policeman
Elliott Spiers	...	Marc
Gemma Jones	...	Dr. Sarah Nicols
Steven O'Donnell	...	Dustman
Ben Cross	...	Dad Madden
Karen Gledhill	...	Nurse
Barbara Keogh	...	Hotel receptionist

Storyline

Anna is becoming lost in the loneliness of her own world when she discovers she can visit another, a house she has drawn herself and occupied by a young disabled boy. But as she discovers more of the links between her fantasy world and the mundane present, she is drawn only deeper into a dream turning into a nightmare.

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Plot Keywords:

boy | dream world | nightmare | drawing comes to life | family relationships | 

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Taglines:

A drawing that became a dream. A dream that became reality.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stanley Myers receives a composer credit though his score was rejected by the producers for not having enough edge. Hans Zimmer was working as Myers' assistant at the time and insisted that he could properly score the movie in time for its release. Within a couple of years Zimmer would become one of the most sought-after composers in Hollywood and his popularity continues to this day.

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Goofs

At the hospital, the chest radiograph that can be seen on the negatoscope is incorrectly positioned. It should be flipped horizontally, so the heart shadow mainly occupies the right half of the image (as if the examiner was in front of the patient).

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Quotes

Dad Madden: I was beginning to think I was invisible.
Anna Madden: You don't have to be invisible to disappear, Dad.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Chances Are/Paperhouse/The 'Burbs/Bert Rigby, You're a Fool/High Hopes (1989)

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Soundtracks

Requiem
Music by Gabriel Fauré
Performed by Choristers of Westminster Cathedral
Published by Editions Harnelle
Arranged by Stanley Myers (uncredited)

User Reviews

A dark and artistic piece of film.

Paperhouse is a unique film which captures the imagination of an eleven year old girl through her continuing nightmares. Throughout the movie, the scenes are carefully thought out and the production of the 'dream house' is of superb quality. The lifeless pencil drawings of Anna's are sprung into life with an obvious amount of realism.

The horror within the film can be established during the scenes in which Anna and her father meet. The darkness of the sky during the nightmare as well as the music, come together to create a chilling atmosphere. This film should be watched.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Paperhouse

Filming Locations:

Highgate Station, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,687, 20 February 1989

Gross USA:

$241,278

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$241,278

Company Credits

Production Co:

Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1