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 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:

giant | beanstalk | fairy | skeleton | harp | 

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Taglines:

This Time...It's No Fairy Tale.

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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:

A Verdadeira História de João E o Pé de Feijão

Filming Locations:

Belvoir Castle, Belvoir, Leicestershire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment, Jim Henson Company, The, Jim Henson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

174 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Richard Attenborough's final television acting role before his death on August 24, 2014 at the age of 90.

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Connections

Version of Jack and the Beanstalk (2009)

User Reviews

Magical and Entertaining

I watched this movie all in one go and I must say I didn't move from my chair. Modine and Mia Sara's performances are excellent as are the rest. Sara plays the girl from another world who comes to Modine to help him find the truth and help her bring welfare back to her people. Modine slowly will discover where the riches of his ancestors came from. Then he will try to right the wrongs and end the curse to his family. The family moves between two worlds. Our world and a fantastic one. The scenery and the landscapes are wonderful and there is also some mistery and twists till the end. The movie addresses the greed of people and how they would go all the way just to satisfy themselves ignoring the needs of others. I highly recommend it.