FairyTale: a True Story

Charles Sturridge (1997)

93min

U Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Joanna Berry

Charles Sturridge (Brideshead Revisited) lyrically directs this family tale, based on the true story of two young girls who, in 1917, produced photographs of a group of winged, fairy-like creatures they had taken at the bottom of their garden. The story follows the controversy that surrounded the photographs - were they real or faked? Could it be a trick of the light, or proof that fairies exist? - as luminaries such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) and Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) debated the authenticity of the images. It's beautifully filmed, with nice special effects by Tim Webber, and Sturridge infuses the film with a sense of wonder and romanticism that contrasts with the more sombre backdrop of the First World War.

Summary

Concluded.

Cast & Crew

Elsie Wright Florence Hoath

Frances Griffiths Elizabeth Earl

Arthur Wright Paul McGann

Polly Wright Phoebe Nicholls

Edward Gardner Bill Nighy

Harry Briggs Bob Peck

Harry Houdini Harvey Keitel

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Peter O'Toole

Wounded corporal Anton Lesser

John Ferret Tim McInnerny

James Collins Jason Salkey

Jean Doyle Lara Morgan

Frances' father Mel Gibson

Director Charles Sturridge

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourAvailable on: video and Blu-ray

Children's Drama

Full Episode Guide

Charles Sturridge (1997)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

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