Customer Reviews

Faerie Tale Theatre - The Nightingale [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

THE NIGHTINGALE is one of the all-time greatest episodes of FAERIE TALE THEATRE, featuring great performances, expert direction by Ivan Passer and a heartbreaking musical score.

The Emperor of Cathay (Mick Jagger) lives in a porcelain palace with his courtiers completely cut off from his people. When he hears about a magical bird called the Nightingale and it's exquisite song, he demands an audience with it. The Kitchen Maid (Barbara Hershey) swiftly leads the Prime Minister (Edward James Olmos) to the bird. When the Nightingale sings for the Emperor, it immediately gladdens his heart and giving nature.

But when a mechanical version of the Nightingale is given to the Emperor, he quickly dismisses the real bird. Now ill and close to death, the Emperor needs the love and companionship of the real Nightingale more than ever...

Featuring strong performances all around. Co-starring Bud Cort as the Master of Imperial Music. Look closely and you'll spot Anjelica Huston and Jerry Hall as the fairies Primrose and Pansy.

Highly-recommended

SPOILERS FOLLOW

Faerie Tale Theatre's "The Nightingale" works on many levels and would probably be rated at least PG (even at the outside PG-13), if it were a conventional movie. With a star-laden cast including Mick Jagger, Barbara Hershey, and Edward James Olmos it is one of the most ambitious, mature entries in the series.

Mick Jagger(he of the rock band The Rolling Stones), plays the jaded Emperor of Cathay and is genuinely solid in the role. Except for his dark hair, Mr. Jagger is unrecognizable in his Eastern dress and hair extensions. It IS a little jarring to hear him plainly using his British accent when one considers that Cathay is an archaic name for China. Edward James Olmos is his shifty lieutenant, and Barbara Hershey is the beautiful good Kitchen Maid who discovers the legendary nightingale, later put to use for the Emperor's listening pleasure. The animatronic bird(with Shelley Duvall's voice)needs to be consciously overlooked and forgiven.

The tonal versatility of this production is impressive, as it is effective as a satire on royalty because 'The Emperor of All Cathay' is often barely speaking to five people in one room. It also highlights the inevitably sterile quality of royal life compared to the unpredictability of nature, represented by the variances of the nightingale's song. There is even a subtle horror element, as the sick emperor is tormented by the vision of a warlike demon.

Also starring Asian actors Mako("Sidekicks") and Keye Luke("Gremlins") Faerie Tale Theatre's "The Nightingale" is very, very good. However, use caution when deciding how age-appropriate it is for younger children. It is unapologetically mature.

Mick Jagger stars as the Emperor of Cathay in this beautiful and lavish production from Faerie Tale Theatre. It's one of the most touching faerie tales, and it turns out to be one of the best episodes from this series. Jagger turns in an excellent performance as the Emperor, and Barbara Hershey is absolutely charming as the loyal kitchen maid. A spellbinding episode that is one of my favourites.

Ok, you get the gist of the story from the review above. I am a 40 year old woman whom loves Mick Jagger and found him quite entertaining in this episode. I found the story quite interesting too, even at my age. If you like Mick buy it!

Mick Jagger, Barbara Hershey, and, yes Edward James Olmos (!) play Japanese in this overlong and boring Faerie Tale Theatre presentation. Jagger dons his British accent, even though he's a Japanese emperor, and Hershey is just not convincing. Olmos is a terrific actor, but he is so wrong for the role. Why not cast a Japanese to play a Japanese? Now there's an idea, isn't there? Only Bud Cort as The Music Master saves the show with his hilarious performance. Boasting good production values and better sets than the average Faerie Tale Theatre episode, this is still the weak link in an otherwise terrific series. Watch if you must see all the episodes in the series, otherwise, avoid!