Photographing Fairies (1997)

Photographer Charles Castle is numbed with grief following the death of his beautiful bride. He goes off to war, working in the trenches as a photographer. Following the war and still in ... See full summary »

Director:

Nick Willing

Writers:

Chris Harrald, Steve Szilagyi (book)

Stars:

Toby Stephens, Emily Woof, Ben Kingsley

5 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Toby Stephens	...	Charles Castle
Emily Woof	...	Linda
Ben Kingsley	...	Reverend Templeton
Frances Barber	...	Beatrice Templeton
Phil Davis	...	Roy
Hannah Bould	...	Clara Templeton
Miriam Grant	...	Ana Templeton
Rachel Shelley	...	Mrs. Anne-Marie Castle
Edward Hardwicke	...	Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Clive Merrison	...	Gardner
Stephen Churchett	...	Mr. Dawson
Mary Healey	...	Mrs. Dawson
Maggie Wells	...	Mrs. Hoopdriver
Richenda Carey	...	Fierce Woman
Jeremy Young	...	Des

Storyline

Photographer Charles Castle is numbed with grief following the death of his beautiful bride. He goes off to war, working in the trenches as a photographer. Following the war and still in grief, Charles is given some photographs purporting to be of fairies. His search for the truth leads him to Burkinwell, a seemingly peaceful village seething with secrets where he becomes drawn into a web of passion, romance, and violence.

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Plot Keywords:

sir arthur conan doyle character | photographer | grief | secret | photograph | 

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Clive Merrison (Gardner) played Sherlock Holmes many times on BBC Radio 4 dramas.

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Goofs

In the trial scene there are journalists taking photographs, this is illegal in UK courts of law. However, at the time the film is set, it was still permitted.

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Quotes

Gardner: Everyone of you here, ladies and gentlemen, has something in common, something that links you to your neighbor. We are all of us searching for a clue that shows us what life truly promises us, for a way of seeing what lies under the simple surface of things. Now recently, we've had continued messages at seances, messages indicating that a visible sign was coming through. Ladies and gentlemen, that sign is here. People talk about the miracle of photography. I'm going to show you a photograph of ...

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Connections

Version of BBC2 Play of the Week: Fairies (1978)

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Soundtracks

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, II. Allegretto
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by The Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted and orchestrated by Terry Davies

User Reviews

Unfairly overlooked

Such a shame that this beautiful film has been so overlooked and dismissed. I can think of few films that deal with the issue of loss and grief so sensitively and with such original flair. Nick Willing's film is tender, mysterious, moving and confident. And, often quite rare in modern cinema, his characters actually deliver and go on a genuine journey. In short, this film takes us somewhere. I believe Mr Willing and his producers have been criticised heavily for their fairy effects: the fairies that appear are sometimes lithe, naked little nymphs, and sometimes plump little men. Both are absolutely perfectly judged, in my opinion, providing something as far from Disney as possible, but entirely in keeping with the Edwardian mood of the whole piece. Moreover, the lighting, pacing, over-cranking and scoring of the sequences wherein the fairies appear are masterfully handled. As a film-maker myself, I find this film an inspiration. The end of the film is unbelievably balletic and touching. Ben Kingsley, Toby Stephens and Edward Hardwicke are splendid. The score by Simon Boswell is also an absolute gem, and it's a shame this isn't on general release on CD. One of the great British films of the end of the century.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 1997 (UK)

Also Known As:

Photographing Fairies

Filming Locations:

Ilmer, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), British Screen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1