Ever After: A Cinderella Story (1998)

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 ... See full summary »

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.

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Plot Keywords:

cinderella | fairy tale | leonardo da vinci | strong woman | stepsister stepsister relationship | 

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Taglines:

Desire. Defy. Escape.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for momentary strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Fox [United States]

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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$65,705,771

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$32,299,895

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Danielle is swimming in the lake, she is using the inverted breaststroke. It was popular in medieval and Renaissance Europe, and is still commonly taught as a survival stroke. In Australia, it is called the "survival backstroke."

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Goofs

At the gypsy camp Henry tells Danielle that "it is your mouth that has me hypnotized". The term "hypnotized" was not coined until around 1841 by Scottish surgeon James Braid.

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Quotes

Danielle: It is not fair, sire. You have found my weakness, but I have yet to learn yours.
Henry: But I should think it was quite obvious.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in The Other Final (2003)

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Soundtracks

Put Your Arms Around Me
(1997)
Written by Johnny McElhone, Sharleen Spiteri, Robert Hodgens, and David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart)
Performed by Texas
Courtesy of Mercury Records Limited

User Reviews

Loved - loved - LOVED this movie!

Cinderella is a timeless classic, a fairytale for all ages. And "Ever After" is pitch-perfect as an adaptation of the Cinderella story to screen.

As a fairytale, this movie follows a predictable pattern and storyline. It is sweet, light, innocent and beautiful. Stunningly beautiful. The cinematography is one of the stars here and this is a fabulous movie to watch - for the scenery, the costumes and the visual effects.

Anjelica Huston steals the show as the evil stepmother, but Drew Barrymore puts in a fine performance here, and Patrick Godfrey is wonderfully eccentric as Leonardo Da Vinci. Overall, this is not so much a movie about the acting, but it's more about the sometimes sappy, usually saccharine, but wonderfully heartfelt classic story. Instead of the magic of the original fairytale, Ever After replaces it with the "magic" of wit, humour and heart. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Funny and charming, Ever After is one of those great movies that can be watched over and over again.