Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story 

The bones of a giant are discovered. This turns Jack Robinson's life upside down as he learns the truth behind the fairy tale and how he can fix his greedy ancestor's mistakes.

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Vanessa Redgrave, Mia Sara

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Matthew Modine	...	Jack Robinson (Johnathan William Duncan Robinson) 2 episodes, 2001
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Countess Wilhelmina - Matriarch / ... 2 episodes, 2001
Mia Sara	...	Ondine 2 episodes, 2001
Daryl Hannah	...	Thespee - Member Great Council of Mac Slec 2 episodes, 2001
Jon Voight	...	Siggy (Sigfried Mannheim) - Overseas Div. Director for Robinson Intl. 2 episodes, 2001
Richard Attenborough	...	Magog - Arbiter of Justice Great Council of Mac Slec 2 episodes, 2001
Bill Barretta	...	Thunderdell 2 episodes, 2001
Honor Blackman	...	Jules - Jack's Secretary 2 episodes, 2001
JJ Feild	...	Young Jack 2 episodes, 2001
Jonathan Hyde	...	Dussan - Jack's Butler 2 episodes, 2001
Anton Lesser	...	Vidas Merlinis - Research Scientist 2 episodes, 2001
Julia McKenzie	...	Jack's Mum 2 episodes, 2001
Frank Baker	...	Forensic Doctor 2 episodes, 2001
Josh Cole	...	Operator 1 2 episodes, 2001
Richard Cubison	...	Curious Patron 2 episodes, 2001
Glen Davies	...	Construction Worker 1 2 episodes, 2001
Leo Dolan	...	Construction Foreman 2 episodes, 2001
Tom Ellis	...	Bigger Boy 1 2 episodes, 2001
Fraser Flintham	...	Bigger Boy 2 2 episodes, 2001
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Dr. Newman 2 episodes, 2001
Jerry Harte	...	Board Member 2 episodes, 2001
Richard Huw	...	Jack's Father 2 episodes, 2001
Rosalind Knight	...	Hag Woman 2 episodes, 2001
Joseph Long	...	Antonio the Baker 2 episodes, 2001
Vincent Marzello	...	Mr. Sprague - Head of Security 2 episodes, 2001
Roger Morlidge	...	Construction Worker 2 2 episodes, 2001
Carl Pizzie	...	Operator 2 2 episodes, 2001
Cyril Shaps	...	Bent Little Man 2 episodes, 2001
Rachel Shelley	...	Brunette / ... 2 episodes, 2001
Alisdair Simpson	...	Paramedic 2 episodes, 2001
Lolly Susi	...	Miss Gilgin 2 episodes, 2001
Tomas Shepherd	...	Jack aged 6 2 episodes, 2001
Craig Stoke	...	Limo Driver 2 episodes, 2001
Jason Thorpe	...	Maitre D' 2 episodes, 2001
Jemma Woodman	...	Newsreader 2 episodes, 2001
Brian Henson	...	Galaga 2 episodes, 2001
Jim Carter	...	Odin - Member of Great Council of Mac Slec 2 episodes, 2001
James Corden	...	Bran - Thunderdell's Son 2 episodes, 2001
Nicholas Beveney	...	Cernos - Member of Great Council of Mac Slec 2 episodes, 2001
Roger Blake	...	Giant Thor - Member of Great Council of Mac Slec 2 episodes, 2001
Mel Cobb	...	Journalist 2 episodes, 2001
Adam Fogerty	...	Lead Warrior 2 episodes, 2001
Marc Goodhall	...	Cavern Guard 2 episodes, 2001
Andrew Grainger	...	Armed Policeman 2 episodes, 2001
Peter Guinness	...	Hall Cryer 2 episodes, 2001
Sam Halpenny	...	Taxi Driver 2 episodes, 2001
Edward Highmore	...	Dad at Playground 2 episodes, 2001
Freddie Highmore	...	Son at Playground 2 episodes, 2001
Lisa Kay	...	Security Woman 2 episodes, 2001
David J. Nicholls	...	Ragnar, Executioner 2 episodes, 2001
Iain Rogerson	...	Guard 2 episodes, 2001
Lynda Rooke	...	Hostess 2 episodes, 2001

Storyline

Jack Robinson is a wealthy business man with no time for anything but work. However, a family curse is looming over him, no man in the Robinson line ever lives past the age of thirty. With his upcoming birthday appears the remains of literally giant skeleton and a mysterious woman who claims to have once known the giant. Jack decides to go with her to another world where all is revealed to him along with the story of his ancestor, the original Jack and the Beanstalk. In order to save his own life and the world of the giants, Jack must right the wrongs of the past and return the magical harp and goose that lays the golden eggs to their rightful home.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic series | giant | beanstalk | fairy | skeleton | 

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Taglines:

What if the fairy tale were true?

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 December 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story

Filming Locations:

Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment, Jim Henson Productions, The Jim Henson Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

174 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Jack visits Stoker's Pub, the curling match taking place on the television in the background was the final from the 2000 World Curling Championships, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland. The match was between the team skipped by Peja Lindholm of Sweden, and the eventual winner Greg McAulay of Canada.

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Connections

Version of Jack and the Beanstalk (1933)

User Reviews

Imaginative and colourful sequel to the old fairy tale

This is the story of a giant legume which brought happiness to some and misfortune to many. It's also the story of a very productive goose that laid eggs of pure gold to the music of a magic harp. These prized possessions also have the power (or so it seems) of turning dusty landscapes into valleys of verdant pastures. The excavation of some giant bones at the beginning gave promise of a pretty exciting film, but I thought the pace was slow until we met the first Jack and his mother Mrs. Robinson outraged at her son's transaction - a half a dozen bean seeds for the family cow! Then we get some real action. Thanks to computerised photography, the ground trembles and a gigantic beanstalk races upwards piercing the clouds. Naturally Jack climbs up and at the top discovers a new land inhabited by very large people. Although we realise this is photographic trickery, the miniaturisation of the human figures is well done and the appeasing of the giant's appetite has to be seen to be believed. When Jack steals the harp and the goose and clambers down the beanstalk with the angry giant in close pursuit, tension rises. Jack just makes it. The giant falls to his death and Mrs Robinson makes sure with a mighty swing of her axe. Great fairy story stuff for the children! Centuries pass. Jack and his progeny die young for there is a mighty curse on them all. The second half of the story explains how the curse can be removed if the goose and harp can be taken back to the land of the giants. Modern day Jack undertakes the mission, but is caught, tried and found guilty in the giant's court. This part of the film is not very original. If you have seen"Planet of the Apes" you will remember a similar scene where aliens are condemned for their deeds. The film covers some interesting topics currently being discussed:

(1) The cloning of the goose to provide an endless supply of gold. (2) The importance of the greening of the environment and its beneficial effect on the population.The film is cast with some well-known actors and it is fun to identify them. We have plenty of time to do so.The film runs for 3 hours (not including advertisements). Vanessa Redgrave as the Matriarch links the scenes together with a profound and prophetic commentary. Whether you can affirm her story to be true will much depend on whether "you believe in the unbelievable". It's really up to you.