FairyTale: A True Story
1997 · Movie · PG · 99 min · ★ 6.4 · 61% critics
In 1917 England, two children take a photograph that many people come to see as scientific proof that fairies exist. As the images spread, belief and skepticism collide, drawing in curious adults and stirring questions about imagination, faith, and what people need to hope for during hard times.
Also known as Illumination · Fairy Tale: A True Story
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Details
- Years
- 1997
- Release date
- 1997-10-24
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Critic score
- 61/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.4/10 (121 votes)
- Budget
- $14,000,000
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a gentle, heartfelt family fantasy about belief and wonder, with a calm, charming mood; Not for you if you need strict historical accuracy or a more grounded story like Miracle on 34th Street.
Pros: magical fairy effects; warm family-friendly tone; heartfelt and moving | Cons: confusing opening; history feels altered; whimsy not for all
Themes
- fairy tale
- fairy
Cast & crew
Florence Hoath
as Elsie Wright
- EE
Elizabeth Earl
as Frances Griffiths
Paul McGann
as Arthur Wright
Peter O'Toole
as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Harvey Keitel
as Harry Houdini
Phoebe Nicholls
as Polly Wright
Bill Nighy
as Edward Gardner
Tim McInnerny
as John Ferret, a Reporter
Joseph May
as Houdini's Assistant
Peter Mullan
as Sergeant Farmer
Directed by Charles Sturridge