 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Fairy Tale: A True Story
- Review Date: September 11, 2005
- PG
- Genre: Drama
- 1997
Common Sense Media says
Two girls convince a nation that fairies are real.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that wounded soldiers fill the train station where young Francis meets her relatives. There is some intense material (e.g. Francis's father is missing in World War I, but she clings to the belief he will return). Kids will absorb a bit of 1917 England, and meet historical figures Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini.
What's the story?
FAIRY TALE: A TRUE STORY is the historically based story of two young girls in 1917 England who claimed to have photographed fairies, convincing hundreds of their existence, including the formidable Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story begins when Francis, whose mother has died and whose soldier father (cameo by Mel Gibson) is missing in World War II, comes to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousin Elsie. The cousins quickly bond over their mutual fairy fascination. To convince Elsie's parents that fairies exist, Frances borrows her uncle's camera and takes photos of the fairies, which eventually end up in the hands of writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes). When Doyle publishes the photos in his magazine, they create a national sensation. Hundreds of would-be believers flock to the girls' creekside fairyland.
Is it any good?
With deft camera work and riveting acting, the movie captures both the inventiveness of youth and the eccentricities of history. To focus on the question of whether or not the photos are real is to miss the essence of this fascinating story. The movie blurs fact and fantasy, taking us into a war-weary England in which everyone would like to believe in, if not see, something magical. The main characters here aren't deceptive, but pure-hearted, and their fairy friends are authentic as playmates. Both girls have suffered tremendous loss, and whether real or imaginary, the fairies bring them tangible joy.
An opening scene shows Peter Pan on stage, begging the audience to believe in fairies. This is but the first plea. Not only does the movie beg us to believe, but it also populates its world with fairies. Though countless special effects must have been required to bring the fairies to life, technical wizardry never overpowers their grace. Fantasy worlds and imaginary friends are integral to childhood, and kids will identify with Francis and Elsie's ability to summon fairies and persuade adults they exist.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why so many people flocked to the fairyland? What did the fairies mean to them?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
over the heads of the very young, but a wonderful story
Watched this movie with my daughter (9) and son (7). My daughter cried & says it's her new favorite movie, & I was really impressed by it. My son was bored & had a hard time following it. We paused frequently so I could explain various characters' motivations & actions. There's only a little bit of potentially controversial content (one "cover-your-_ _ s" and a "d_mn" is all I noticed, language-wise), along w/ the scene with injured soldiers, mentioned above), and it certainly depicts a lot of interesting history & childhood magic. But much of the food for thought it offers may be lost on the younger (or less sensitive) viewers.
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AGE
Perfect for everyone, Young & Old
Loved it! Was a real treat and with nothing offensive to anyone. In this age of of movies with such violent, rude and crude behavior and language, this movie is one for the whole family! You just can't say that very often anymore. Beautiful scenery too.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 2, 2010
AGE
Wonderful-errific!
It may be the best true story fantasy I've ever seen next to Mermaid.
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AGE
absolutly Amazing
I am 60 years old and cant tell you how many times I have watched the movie, I love , love , love it.
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| Topics: | princesses and fairies, history |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Charles Sturridge |
| Cast: | Harvey Keitel, Jason Salkey, Peter O'Toole |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | October 24, 1997 |
| DVD release date: | October 6, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | Parental Guidance Suggested |
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