Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor.

Director:

Andy Tennant

Writers:

Susannah Grant (screenplay), Andy Tennant (screenplay)

Stars:

Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Huston, Dougray Scott

6 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Drew Barrymore	...	Danielle
Anjelica Huston	...	Rodmilla
Dougray Scott	...	Prince Henry
Patrick Godfrey	...	Leonardo
Megan Dodds	...	Marguerite
Melanie Lynskey	...	Jacqueline
Timothy West	...	King Francis
Judy Parfitt	...	Queen Marie
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Auguste
Lee Ingleby	...	Gustave
Kate Lansbury	...	Paulette
Matyelok Gibbs	...	Louise
Walter Sparrow	...	Maurice
Jeanne Moreau	...	Grande Dame
Anna Maguire	...	Young Danielle

Storyline

Andy Tennant directed this Cinderella variant. The Brothers Grimm arrive at the home of a wealthy Grande Dame (Jeanne Moreau) who speaks of the many legends surrounding the fable of the cinder girl before telling the "true" story of her ancestor. In flashback, the story then focuses on eight-year-old Danielle, daughter of a wealthy widower, a 16th-century landowner. After returning to France with his new wife Rodmilla (Anjelica Huston) and her two daughters, he dies of a heart attack. Ten years later, Danielle (Drew Barrymore) is now treated as a servant by the trio. Fortunately, she has an encounter with Prince Henry (Dougray Scott), who is fleeing an arranged marriage. Later, when Danielle poses as a Lady, the Prince takes an interest in her. Inventor-artist Leonardo Da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey), accepting the French court's patronage, offers advice to Prince Henry on matters of the heart.

---

Plot Keywords:

cinderella | fairy tale | leonardo da vinci | stepsister stepsister relationship | mother daughter relationship | 

---

Taglines:

Desire. Defy. Escape.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for momentary strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Trailers prominently feature two songs that do not appear in the film: "The Mummer's Dance" by Loreena McKennitt and "Fable" by Robert Miles.

---

Goofs

At the end the Grande Dame refers to her "great-great-grandmother's portrait". Given the approximately 250-year gap between Danielle and the Grande Dame, that comes out to about 62 years between generations. It's barely possible, and highly unlikely, that there would be that few generations between them.

---

Quotes

King Francis: You sir are restricted to the grounds.
Henry: Are you putting me under house arrest?
King Francis: Do not mock me, boy, for I am in a foul disposition. And I will have my way...
Henry: Or what? You'll ship me off to the Americas like some criminal? All for the sake of your stupid contract?
King Francis: You are the Crown Prince of France!
Henry: And it is my life.
Queen Marie: Francis, sit down before you have a stroke. Really. the two of you.
[to Henry]
Queen Marie: Sweetheart... you were born to privilege and with that comes specific obligations.
Henry: Forgive me, Mother, but ...
[...]

---

Alternate Versions

While the theatrical version was rated PG-13, the VHS version was edited to remove three swear words in order to be suitable for a PG rating. The DVD and Blu-ray versions are uncut.

---

Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Greatest Cinderella Movies (2019)

---

Soundtracks

Veni Creator Spiritus
Composed by Simon Park
Courtesy of De Wolfe Limited

User Reviews

Sob!

Isn't it what most people dream of? Prospering despite the difficulties in their lives? Finding their true love and being with him/her despite the odds?

This movie is most definitely not a retelling of the Cinderella story. It has aspects of that, the basic plotline, but a twist all its own. Gone is the pumpkin and the rats into footmen. Gone are the ugly stepsisters, the two equally horrid. No, in this one there is naturally one horrid stepsister, but the other is quite lovable. Dougray Scott is marvelously funny in his role as a Prince trying to find his way, and Angelica Huston is a brilliant evil stepmother, and Drew Barrymore makes a stunning Danielle... With other quirky characters thrown in along the way. Gustave, DaVinci, even the King and Queen are given personalities. The detail is incredible, the costumes gorgeous, and the dialogue enrapturing. This movie is counted among my most favorites, and I highly recommend it to any with a passion for romance.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cinderella

Filming Locations:

Chateau de la Roussie, 24200 Proissans, Sarlat-la-Caneda, Dordogne, France

Box Office

Budget:

$26,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,526,904, 2 August 1998

Gross USA:

$65,705,771

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$98,005,666

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1