Have always been a fan of Jim Henson and 'The Storyteller' has always been a timeless classic of a series. Love all the episodes in their own way, though some are more special than others. A very mature series tonally but with enough to not make it too dark for kids with some episodes being quite playful. Those who love the Muppets, 'The Dark Crystal' and 'Labyrinth' but haven't somehow seen 'The Storyteller' yet should do so absolutely.
While not as great as the previous three episodes ("Hans My Hedgehog" perhaps being the best of the three), with them having a little more and stronger emotional impact and atmosphere, this is still a mighty fine episode in its own way. Not one of the best episodes of 'The Storyteller' but also hardly a lesser effort. "The Luck Child" is a lot of fun to watch and still does have a good deal of atmosphere of its own, while also having all the strengths the previous three episodes had.
Did feel that the acting for the princess at times was a little too on the stiff side, but that is pretty much it with the faults.
Everything else is truly great. It again looks splendid visually. Absolutely love the atmosphere present in the sets and the episode is beautifully shot, but it is the puppetry that shines most of it. Both spooky and beautiful. The music score similarly enchants, is hauntingly beautiful and its melancholic tone fits like a glove with the story's atmosphere.
All the writing is immensely engaging, not feeling over the top while not taking itself too seriously. The story is full of charm and with a nice mix of the playful and the eerie. When there is a strangeness, it doesn't feel too strange and never feels incoherent or on the wrong side of bizarre.
John Hurt is pitch perfect casting and loved his very funny and charming chemistry with the ever delightfully sarcastic dog. It was very interesting seeing Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran before their roles in the wonderful ITV Poirot series.
Not one of the series' best but great all the same. 9/10.
