Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Brian Henson

Writers (WGA):

James V. Hart (story) and
Brian Henson (story) ...

Release Date:

2 December 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Adventure | Fantasy

Tagline:

What if the fairy tale were true?

Plot:

The bones of a giant are discovered turing Jack Robinson's life upside down, teaching him the truth behind the fairy tale and how he can fix a greedy ancestor's mistakes.

Plot Keywords:

Giant | Goose | Skeleton | Harp | Fairy Tale

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Matthew Modine	...	Jack Robinson (Johnathan William Duncan Robinson)
Vanessa Redgrave	...	Countess Wilhelmina, Matriarch / Narrator
Mia Sara	...	Ondine
Daryl Hannah	...	Thespee, Member Great Council of Mac Slec
Jon Voight	...	Siggy (Sigfried Mannheim), Overseas Div. Director for Robinson Intl.
Richard Attenborough	...	Magog, Arbiter of Justice Great Council of Mac Slec
Bill Barretta	...	Thunderdell
Honor Blackman	...	Jules, Jack's Secretary
Jim Carter	...	Odin, Member of Great Council of Mac Slec
James Corden	...	Bran, Thunderdell's Son
JJ Feild	...	Young Jack
Jonathan Hyde	...	Dussan, Jack's Butler / Guardian
Anton Lesser	...	Vidas Merlinis, Research Scientist
Julia McKenzie	...	Jack's Mum
Nicholas Beveney	...	Cernos, Member of Great Council of Mac Slec

Runtime:

Germany:174 min (2 parts) | Greece:180 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | Netherlands:AL | Australia:PG | Germany:6 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Bray Film Studios, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK

Company:

Hallmark Entertainment

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#28.7)" (2002)

another winner from the Henson studio

this mini series was a complete winner from start to finish! a wonderful, imaginative retelling of the old fairy tale, that does a great job of imagining an alternate beginning and then adding a great storyline to help finish it out. the special effects were wonderful, including the creatures from the henson studio workroom. an excellent visualization of the world atop the beanstalk, and the rulers of their world. it was tied in very well with the modern world, and Matthew Modine made for a very likable Jack, who tries to make things right again. Mia Sara as Ondine once again shows that she is best used in a longer premise where she has room to flesh out her character. her acting has definitely improved since Timecop, and she is as beautiful as ever, if not more so!