Customer Reviews

Hansel & Gretel

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The odds of anyone running across this review for such a small, forgotten film are very slim, but I am compelled to write it anyway just to prove to myself that this charming and faithful re-telling of the old fairytale does in fact exist.
Hansel and Gretel (the two very attractive child stars Hugh Pollard and Nicola Stapleton) are the children of the poor wood-dwelling couple Stefan (David Warner) and Maria (Emily Richard) who make ends meet by scouring the woods for food due to the merciless employment of the baker that Stefan works under. While on a trip to the village with their father Gretel is given a pouch of - you guessed it - breadcrumbs from the baker, and the two children are enchanted by the Punch and Judy show, quickly learning the words and steps to the dance that makes them neglectful in their duties later that day. Whilst they dance madly in the next room, the donkey enters the house and eats the pie that Maria has just made. When she returns she sends the children out in a temper to pick berries, but is instantly regretful (no evil stepmothers here!) when she realises her children must have ventured into the forbidden North Woods, where demons and witches are said to dwell.
The children are indeed lost in the woods thanks to the watching crows destroying their trail of breadcrumbs, and after much wandering, the two come to a gingerbread house, where the seemingly kindly old lady Grizelda (played with great zest by Cloris Leachman) lives. Of course, this is not the case, and the two are captured - Hansel to be fattened up till the witch deems him big enough to eat, and Gretel to perform menial chores around the house.
A happy ending is undoubtably in store, but on the way the good-guys must struggle through the witch's unending oppression, the knowledge that the gingerbread boys and girls that line the path outside were once real children and their parents desparate search for them - one particularly striking scene involves Stefan searching the forest and hearing his children's voices... before the cries for help change into deep, menacing growls. There are other scary moments too, such as when Grizelda positions a knife over the sleeping Gretel, so although most kids could sit through this and get the 'good goosebumps', more sensitive ones may need a helping hand.
The main protaginists of this movie are outstanding - Hansel and Gretel are sweet without being too sugary, and create a touching brother/sister bond - Hansel tells Gretel: "Don't be a baby," but also: "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
There are a few short songs scattered throughout the movie that are used to good effect, and the set of the gingerbread house is great fun - it really does look good enough to eat! It also continues to amaze me how such a simple story can be lengthened to movie-length thanks to some background information on the characters and interesting plot devices (such as the transformed duck, the witch's magical staff and the initial disguise of the witch).
So there you have it - a great little movie that no one knows anything about - are you going to track it down?

I saw this movie last year for the first time and I was really excited to see this particular production. I knew it was in the Cannon Movie tales series so I knew that it was going to be great. Most of the music in the film is adapted from the Humperdinck opera of the story which accents the story nicely. This isn't the happy, jumpy version of the story that everyone is used to seeing. There are moments of suspense, afterall it is about a cannibalistic witch. Especially frightening are the moments when hansel and gretel are lost in the woods at night and you hear all different kinds of strange, eerie demonic voices. The sets are amazing. When I saw the gingerbread house I was stunned and when Hansel and Gretel start to eat from the house out pops Cloris Leachman as a somewhat whimsical old woman. Leachman gives hints throughout these earlier sequences that she enjoys, well, human flesh. I liked the touch when she is reading the story of the Sleeping Beauty to the two siblings saying that everything came to life after the princess awoke, the fire rose and cooked the children, instead of saying cooked the chicken, giving the viewer an insight of things to come. Eventually, we find out that the old lady is really a witch. This sequence is really frightening when the witch, in true witch form, is casting a spell over a cauldron. Overall, this movie is one of the best in the collection and defintely deserves a place on the video shelf and is a film that every fan of the brother's grimm tale should see. AAAA+++++

For years I have ADORED this film, I saw it first when I was eight years old and was mezmerized! It was such a scary tale and the witch was just fantastic. I'm now 20 years old and her ugly face still burns in my memory! I also loved the actors who played Hansel and Gretel, they both featured in the T.V series of 'Simon and the Witch' which was great. I wish more fairy tales would be turned into real films, it makes brilliant viewing. I think it should be aired on T.V because it is just such a shame that its a forgotten film, everyone would love it as much as we did! and then I'm sure they would release it on DVD and VHS; I live in hope! If anyone knows where I can buy a copy of the film please reveal it on this sight, I've literally been trawling video shops for years looking for it. Its the best film ever!

Screen faves David Warner and Cloris Leachman turn out for this amazing rendition of the classic Grimm fairy tale, "Hansel and Gretel," greatly influenced by the renowned operatic version. The tale is that of two poor, near starving German peasant children, Hansel and Gretel, who live in the woods with their bitter mother and woodcutter father (Warner). Cast out one day by their mother for wasting what little food they had, Hansel and Gretel wander far into the forest in search of berries to redeem themselves at home. The small children leave a trail of breadcrumbs to find their way back, but these are quickly eaten by the birds, and the children soon become lost. The next morning, as their parents search for them unsuccessfully, Hansel and Gretel come to a little cottage in the forest made entirely of gingerbread and candy. The two are thrilled and quickly begin eating when they are interrupted by the lady of the house, an ugly old woman named Griselda who seems quite sweet and eager to feed the waifish pair. However, later that night in the gingerbread house, Gretel discovers the truth about Grandmother Griselda. She is actually a witch with wicked plans to devour the children! The next day, Gretel finds herself the slave of the old witch, as they work hour after hour in Griselda's kitchen cooking up cakes, pies, and other goodies with which to fatten up poor little Hansel!

"Hansel and Gretel" sits among the best of the nine wonderful Cannon Movie Tales, which are among the best live-action fairy tale films available to date. Sticking more closely to the original stories than the usual fare, "Hansel and Gretel" and the other Cannon tales mix in simple but fun-filled songs with fantastic casts and writing that blends realism and fantasy seamlessly. "Hansel and Gretel" is a particularly sweet and simple entry into the Movie Tale film series, but Cloris Leachman (and her wonderful musical number) brings a scary yet humorous bite! It's so terrific that these childhood favorites many of us remember from the Disney Channel's 1980's and early 90's glory are finally available on DVD (most of them at least). The DVDs include trailers (not sure if these films ran anywhere theatrically), and most (including Hansel and Gretel) are presented in fullscreen format. The Cannon Movie Tales are mostly family fun, though be warned that some can have their scary moments (for example, "Red Riding Hood," my favorite, is done as a werewolf story that at times may be a bit frightening). The other Cannon Movie Tales, all of which I highly recommend, are: Rumpelstiltskin, The Emperor's New Clothes, Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Puss In Boots (starring Christopher Walken!), Beauty and the Beast, The Frog Prince, and Sleeping Beauty. Those last two have not yet been released to DVD, and I have yet to see Rumpelstiltskin at any retail stores, though Amazon seems to carry it. I wish to get them all, but currently only own my favorites: Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Puss In Boots, and Hansel and Gretel. Fairy tale fanatics should own all these films, and I also highly recommend my top favorites, the Disney animated versions. Also, for a scarier version of Snow White, pick up the outstanding, "Snow White: A Tale of Terror," starring the beautiful Monica Keena. More recommendations: Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre collection (also best known from the Disney Channel airings), Shrek and Shrek 2, The Slipper and the Rose (for a live-action Cinderella), Ever After (another live-action Cinderella), The Adventures of Pinocchio (1996), Peter Pan (2003), The Wizard of Oz, Return to Oz, and Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965) among others!

The first time I saw this movie, I was nine or ten years old. It had aired on television and I truly fell in love with it. I am now 18, but I still remember how simple yet enchanting it was to watch. It brought to life one of my absolute favorite fairy tales of all time! There are a few scenes I never forgot: the Punch and Judy show, the donkey that eats Maria's custard, and when Hansel and Gretel meet the witch. Up until now, I haven't been able to find this movie. However, I recently ended my search when I bought a copy off of amazon.com. Not only is it in excellent condition, but it has brought my childhood memories back!

I saw this movie as a child, and I was amazed by it. Now many years later, the songs sung in the film are still clear in my mind, and I still own a tape of the movie which I now watch with my younger siblings. I am 18 now, but this is a classic 80's film, back in the time when they made really great movies and the fantasy genre was watchable both by children and grownups.
There are no evil stepmothers, the actors are wonderful, the music sweet and memorable, and the story becomes three dimensional. It is thrilling and never too childish, but key to touch on safe family film themes. It has depth, and you'll never again find yourself reading and understanding the classic fable without seeing it in a new light.
It is wonderful, and should never be forgotten. Get it for your children, you'll be glad you did.

Cloris Leachman is the Witch in this Cannon Movie Tale musical based on the well-known tale from the Grimms.

Here's the movie's description available from Sony Pictures: "Cloris Leachman (Herbie Goes Bananas) stars as the evil, wart-plagued witch Griselda in this enchanting live-action version of the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tale about two siblings who wander into the forest against their parents' orders. Featuring singing, dancing and a larger-than-life house built entirely of cookies and candy, this delightful film is a sweet treat for the entire family!

"When Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapleton) get lost in the forbidden forest after their trail of bread crumbs disappears, they come upon an enticing gingerbread cottage. The problem is, it's inhabited by a witch! As Griselda plots to keep them there forever through hocus-pocus magic, the quick-witted siblings must figure out how to avoid becoming her next dessert!"

The Cannon Movie Tale series of nine films has become nearly as popular among fairy tale enthusiasts and family film fans as Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre. Some would argue that this series is even more popular. Either way, these musicals are suitable for the entire family and feature well-known actors from the 1980s.

If the "Faerie Tale Theatre" version of "HANSEL AND GRETEL" is too dark, spooky, and scary for you and/or your children, this excellent Cannon Movie Tales version will be an entertaining alternative. This version is more directly inspired by Humperdink's operetta rather than the original Brothers Grimm story.
Hansel and Gretel (Hugh Pollard and Nicola Stapleton) have a biological mother (Emily Richard). She is not evil or wicked. She is merely harried because she and her family are on the brink of starvation. In desperation, she sends the children out into the woods to find berries to eat. When her husband (David Warner; "THE OMEN", "A CHRISTMAS CAROL") returns home with an unexpected bounty of food, she immediately realizes the mistake she has made and reacts with a mixture of panic and fear for the safety of the children.
Emmy and Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman is a hoot as the Witch who traps the kids in her delicious house of gingerbread and candy. At first, she comes across as a sweet, albeit grotesque-looking, Granny-type. But, shortly after midnight, Gretel discovers her true wicked witchy ways. After she is conquered, her gingerbread house explodes in a spectacular scene.
Be sure to have plenty of candy handy when you watch this movie. Like the classic 1971 "WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY", there are so many delectable desserts on visual display here, your mouth will water!!

"Hansel And Gretel" is the best 'movie tale' Cannon Films produced. This version of the story is taken from the Hunperdinck opera, but its's still a recognizable rendition. The cast is fine, Hugh Pollard as Hansel, Nicola Stapleton as Gretel, David Warner and Emily Richard as the parents. But the REAL treat here is Cloris Leachman, as Grizelda, the Witch. This veteran actress is simply terrific, whether coaxing the children inside her gingerbread house, or threatening them with death. She also sings well, something she has rarely done in films. The production is tasteful, as are the new songs, adapted from the opera. A bit tense at times for young kids, "Hansel And Gretel" is nevertheless, a classic! [phillindholm]

The Cannon MovieTales version of HANSEL & GRETEL was one of the most ambitious in the series. It features a musical score freely-adapted from Engelbert Humperdinck's famed opera version of the Grimm Brothers tale.

Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapleton) live with their poverty-stricken parents on the edge of a dark and wild forest. One morning, the frazzled mother sends Hansel and Gretel out into the woods to find some food...any food. Pretty soon, the children are hopelessly lost; until they stumble across a life-sized candy house and an evil witch with a serious food craving!

This delightful version of the tale is a joy from start to finish; one of the all-time best from the nine Cannon MovieTales. Hugh Pollard and Nicola Stapleton are captivating in the title roles, whilst David Warner and Emily Richard add some much-needed gravity to the father and mother. Cloris Leachman steals every moment as the wicked witch Griselda, and she clearly loves playing the baddie.

The Cannon MovieTales were filmed, very economically, back-to-back in Israel between 1987-1989. The series has garnered a very strong fan following; mostly those who grew up seeing them on the Disney Channel. Happily most of the titles have now found their way to DVD (Puss in Boots, Beauty and the Beast, The Emperor's New Clothes, Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin, and Snow White).

If you haven't seen this enchanting version of HANSEL & GRETEL, don't wait a second longer! (Single-sided, single-layer disc).