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.

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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

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:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Danielle's portrait, which Leonardo da Vinci paints in the film, is actually modeled after another da Vinci work, "La Scapigliata" (also known as "Testa di fanciulla detta la scapigliata").

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Goofs

On the day that Danielle spends with Henry - at the monastery, and later with the gypsies, she is wearing Marguerite's blue dress. After the gypsies attack, one of gypsies keeps the blue for his wife. Danielle returns to the manor that night without the dress. With so much attention being paid to "missing" items neither the Baroness nor Marguerite notice or comment that the dress is missing.

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Quotes

Henry: Tell no-one we have spoken, for all shall reveal itself in due course.

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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 Cinderella 2: Dreams Come True (2002)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Not just another Cinderella..

I think Ever After was a great movie, and a must see for everyone. It's not just a "kiddie movie". Drew Barrymore plays a great and convincing Cinderella, or as Margerite called her, "Cinder Girl". It isn't like the Disney movie, way different. For example, the girl is named Danielle, not Cinderella. There is a nice stepsister.. and there is no Fairy Godmother, but Leonarod Da Vinci, a guide to Danielle and the Prince.

The thing that really made me want to see this movie is what Drew Barrymore said in one of her interviews..

"It's so wonderful, because all girls love Cinderella. She is really a positive rolemodel. From everything to being fiercely loyal, and incredibly smart, and well read, to not only not waiting to be rescued, but to rescue other people, to take the pain that she's experienced in her life, to only have it strengthen her. And, also the fact that her heart and her mind is what is attractive and intriguing to this wonderful prince, and not the way she looks."

Drew Barrymore played a great Cinderella.. Angelica Houston a wonderful stepmother.. and D. Scott played a great prince. If you haven't seen it yet.. you must! It's a great movie for everyone! Just Breathe..