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:

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:

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 The Giant Killer (1924)

User Reviews

Very entertaining

I saw Jack and the Beanstalk:The Real Story on the SyFy Channel, and I wasn't expecting much. But it was actually very entertaining, while a tad too long and Jon Voight did have an accent and mannerisms that did fall flat sometimes, it did have a lot of good points. The characters are engaging, with only Siggy being written clumsily more in how he was developed rather than the lines. The production values are colourful and enchanting in their look, there is some quirky writing and the story is as magical as can be. The pace is very brisk mostly with only the last thirty minutes or so feeling as though it was meandering, and the acting is mostly above decent with Jack being a likable hero and Vanessa Redgrave coming off best. Overall, fun and entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox