Cinderella

This is the best of Shelley Duvall's high-quality "Faerie Tale Theatre" series. The ugly stepsisters are broadway-quality comedy relief, and Eve Arden is the personification of wicked stepmotherhood. Jennifer Beals does an excellent job as a straight Cinderella, especially in the garden scene with Matthew Broderick's Prince Charming. Jean Stapleton plays the fairy godmother well, although I'm not sure I liked the "southern lady" characterization with some of the lines. Steve Martin's comedy relief as the Royal Orchestra Conductor is quintessential Martin, but a tiny bit misplaced in the show's flow.

As is customary with the series, there are several wry comments thrown in for the older children (ages 15 and up). With a couple of small bumps, the show flows well, and they live happily ever after. Children up to age 8 will continue to watch it after the parents finally get tired of it -- I found 3 times in one day to be a little too much.

There is a lot to like about the 'Faerie Tale Theatre' series. Many of their adaptations of various well-known and well-loved fairy tales are charming, clever and sometimes funny, a few even emotionally moving. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin (whether playing for laughs or straight) on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories, while also giving further enjoyments in seeing talented performers in early roles or in roles that are departures from their usual roles.

Based on Charles Perrault's magical story, rather than the much darker but still great Brothers Grimm version, "Cinderella" is quintessential 'Faerie Tale Theatre' and one of the best of the series in a show full of great episodes and few if any misfires (though a few minor disappointments). It is let down a little only by the sometimes charming but a little bland and wooden Matthew Broderick and the admittedly very funny but slightly misplaced comedic scene with Steve Martin that added little. Other than that, it is a show highlight and one of the better adaptations of this timeless story, which is admittedly one of my favourites.

However, "Cinderella" is one of 'Faerie Tale Theatre's' better-looking episodes. 'Cinderella' as a story should enchant, and it does absolutely here. The production values are sumptuous, with a dazzling ballroom sequence which bursts with colour and a transformation scene that epitomises pure magic, for non-big dollar budget this is pretty nigh impressive in terms of visuals. Photography is never drab or garish. The music score is touchingly romantic and whimsical.

Love the writing in "Cinderella" too. This is a fairy-tale that lends itself very well to either being played straight or with humour, both approaches are present here and both are effective individually and well balanced together. The humour is wonderfully wry, with hilarious moments from the step-sisters and the fairy godmother, without resorting to out of place innuendos or smut. The romantic moments charm and touch, really believed in the chemistry between Jennifer Beals and Broderick, and one really relates to Cinderella and wants her to succeed and overcome adversity.

Storytelling is close in spirit to what one is familiar with while still with enough new for it to have its own identity. Nothing dull here and never does it feel padded or over-stuffed.

Jennifer Beals is affecting in the title role and radiates in charm. Other than her, the standouts are Jean Stapleton as the funniest Fairy Godmother there ever has been and Eve Arden's deliciously wicked step-mother. Edie McClurg and Jane Alden have a lot of fun as the step-sisters.

Overall, great fun and very charming, a must watch for fans of the show and the original story. 9/10 Bethany Cox

In this edition of Faerie Tale Theatre, the classic story of "Cinderella" is retold in traditional fashion. A little bit of humor is indeed present, but otherwise it's pretty true-to-form.

Guest stars include Jennifer Beals, Matthew "Ferris Bueller" Broderick, and Jean "Edith Bunker" Stapleton (whose fairy godmother is easily the highlight).

The humor is nice, but the terribly wooden performance from Broderick takes some of the starch out, rendering this one good but not great.

I am a big fan a Faerie Tale Theatre and I've seen them all and this is one of the best! It's funny, romantic, and a classic. I recommend this for all ages. It's great for little kids because it's well, Cinderella and great for adults and teen because it's funny and not over the top. I watched it when I was little and I still watch it now. It has great lines that my family and I quote all the time. The acting is great and it never gets old. If you like fairy tales and romances you will love this. I've watched many a Cinderella movie in my time and this is the best of them all. (Sorry Disney) I highly recommend this movie and all the Faerie Tale Theatre shows. They all appeal to all ages and are all unique and very entertaining.

Here is one the entire family will enjoy... even those who consider themselves too old for fairy tales. Shelley Duvall outdid herself with this unique, imaginative take on nearly all of the popular fairy tales of childhood. The scripts offer new twists on the age-old fables we grew up on and they feature a handful of stars in each episode. "Cinderella" is no exception to Duvall's standard and in my opinion it's one of the top five of the series, highlighted by Jennifer Beals (remember her from "Flashdance"--and she's still in Hollywood today making a movie here and there) in the title role, Jean Stapleton as the fairy godmother with a southern accent and Eve Arden as the embodiment of wicked stepmotherhood. Edie McClurg ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off") and Jane Alden make for a hilarious duo as the stepsisters. Matthew Broderick is an affable Prince Henry. You'll all keep coming back for this one!