I am a sucker for a good fairy tale movie- but it has to be a GOOD fairy tale movie. I know the historical versions from the cleaned up versions, and depending on my mood I can go either way (although, if you take a look around my office, it certainly leans towards the villainous aspect). And, while I can fall into the current fairy tale movies, there are always ones that have seemingly falling out of favor that I adore- what I call the forgotten fairy tale movie.
So, in remembrance of fairy, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite fairy tales that you may not remember. Do you have favorites that aren’t on my list? Share in the comments!
Yes, it was a flop at the box office, but The Brothers Grimm is one of my go-tos for escapism. A complicated plot, beautiful scenery, and two brothers fighting evil?
Ever After has two of my favorite scenes in fairy tale movies- the ball scene and the final scene where the Stepmother and one nasty step-sister are working in the laundry. Add in DaVinci and those wings, and I wanted that dress.
If ever Willow was on TV you could not tear me away from it- I LOVED that movie. Val Kilmer as the knight, and Warrick Davis protecting the baby? Awesomeness.
Labryinth is a movie I adore, but when it first came out I could never figure out WHY she went after the baby brother… Give it to the goblin king, who cares? Then again, I had a baby brother. I love the sets, the twists and just the strangeness, and am probably responsible for introducing it to half the teens in Texas.
The Dark Crystal is one that we watched over and over and over again at my house until the tape wore out… then bought another one. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz (Muppets, anyone?) it was high fantasy plus muppet/puppet storytelling- it brought things to a higher level than cartoon, but not so serious as something with actual actors. And it’s a beautiful story.
I’m sorry, but if you have not seen The Princess Bride we must correct that immediately, and must do so enough that you can start inserting quotes into your conversation. That Guy and I insert quotes between our friends and ourselves often enough that I bet we should pay royalties. I love Billy Crystal and Carol Kane as Miracle Max and Valerie, and the whole mostly dead scene… my only regret is so far I’ve never found a way to show this in a library setting.
Have any others that I’ve missed or ones that you are completely in love with? Share in the comments!