Customer Reviews

Jim Henson's The Storyteller - Greek Myths

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Last year, fans were thrilled to find Jim Henson's The Storyteller Collection on DVD for the first time featuring the fairy tales crafted for the series. Thanks to the success of that DVD, the Greek Myths are also being released this year. While the effects of the series are somewhat dated, the series is still spectacular, incorporating the genius of Jim Henson and those he gathered around him. Also note that the storyteller in this series is Michael Gambon, the new Dumbledore in the third Harry Potter movie.

To let you know what is on the DVD, here is the episode info provided by Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment:

DAEDALUS AND ICARUS: Daedalus, one of the greatest inventors of ancient Greece, and his son Icarus are betrayed by cruel King Minos and must flee for their lives. To escape, Daedalus creates wings so they can fly to safety, but will the young Icarus heed his father's instructions or will their dreams melt away?

ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE: The great musician Orpheus vows to bring back the soul of his beloved Eurydice from the depths of Hades. But the task he must complete to reunite with his love turns out to be as torturous as the fate he will have to endure.

PERSEUS AND THE GORGON: When the evil king threatens Perseus' mother, he must bring back the head of Medussa - who's stare will turn anyone who looks upon her to stone. Will the help of the gods be enough to aid in this seemingly impossible task?

THESEUS AND THE MINATAUR: With the help of a beautiful princess, Theseus tracks down the man-eating Minotaur, half-man, half-bull to prove his courage and loyalty. A fight to the death ensues, and a shocking secret emerges.

Whether you are a Mythology major in a university or one who has become so familar in the subject that you consider yourself an expert, you are sure to love these myths-come-to-life retellings brought to the screen. Kept in the same vein as Jim Henson's The Storyteller series featuring John Hurt, this series is also told by a teller of stories represented by Michael Gambon and with as much ability to mesmerise the listener as his predecessor.

The music (which is a crowning point, in my opinion) is weaved by Rachel Portman who, as always, delivers a lovely score marred fittingly with dark, forboding - yet bittersweet tones. In many instances such as in the tale of 'Orpheus & Eurydice', the climatic storytelling is accompanied by the score which successfully heightens the intensity of what will happen next. Everything set to music from Eurydice's 'birth' to Ariadne's furious curse when she realises Theseus has abandoned her is rapturously beautiful, chillingly haunting.

The acting performances are also well worth mentioning, most notably that of Gina Bellman [Eurydice], Jesse Birdsall [Aristaeus] and Maggie O'Neill [Ariadne]. Whether it be the wonder found in new life, mischief or the sting of being betrayed, these things prove small feats to bring across by such seasoned performers as these.

Having waited what seems forever for this program to come to DVD, I am ecstatic that it finally has. Remaining true to the original Grecian myths, this series will be cherished for ages to come in the homes of fantasy and mythology lovers alike.

All four of the myths here are cleverly presented. Like all Greek myths the stories touch on dark and adult themes but the Storyteller's "dog" helps break the tension by speaking the comments we are likely making in our own minds and by providing a bit of comic relief. As others have said this is sad, scary,adult stuff and is not for kids under fourth grade or so but would be a great film to show kids in upper elementary or middle school (or even high school for that matter) who are studying myths. Very well acted and produced and I just wish there were more than the four stories.

I was a little disapointed with this DVD when I discovered there were only 4 episodes. Apparently there are 9 stories on the original Storyteller DVD. I'm not sure why the difference, yet they're comparable in price.
The stories are pretty depressing and dark, although accurate and beautifully scripted, acted and directed. This would be an asset to any classroom learning about Greek myths.
The Storyteller series is so good I want it to go on and on forever. Four episodes just isn't enough.

Theseus, Perseus, Orpheus, Daedalus - I'd really rather hear a kid talking about these guys than Pikachu or Kim Possible. Okay, maybe it won't happen, but not for lack of an entertaining, well-made presentation. These are truly enjoyable.

Jim Henson's crew has put together an outstanding made-for-TV series. They play with the lines between puppetry and costume, with bits of animation thrown in, though not as much as in Dark Crystal or Labyrinth. There's plenty of drama, too, maybe a bit much for the very youngest children. These stories, in their day, were for adults, though. I'm glad to see that they haven't been disneyfied into inanity.

I have to admit, I liked the DVD of fairy tales from The Storyteller better. These are good, though, and a great way to bring old stories to today's new media.

//wiredweird

This series of traditional and classical stories was broadcast when our children were young. It made wonderful viewing then and it now has a timeless quality that only the best crafted programmes can achieve.

My daughter is now in her late teens. She requested the complete set of Storyteller DVDs for Christmas and has enjoyed revisiting each and every story. Maybe she will keep them for her children in the way people keep books for generations.

I really enjoyed the original "Storyteller" series and was looking forward to seeing what they did with the Greek Myths. While the stories are wonderful, they mostly lack the visual imagination of the first series. The first two stories are told in a fairly basic manner, with some nice touches being added in "Perseus & the Gorgon." But it's in "Theseus & the Minotaur" where we finally see the quality realized in the original series. It's a very moving story and the visuals are fantastic and creative. I only wish all the stories on the disc were done this well.

I checked this DVD out from my local library and enjoyed it so much, I wanted to give it to my nephew who is learning ancient history and Greek myths. But why does it cost so much-- $97+ new or $46+ used?

I think I'll just tell him to pick it up at the library.

Jim Henson's Creature Shop does a great job bringing so many greek mythologies together into a collage of stories. Although often labeled as too dark for children, this series is filled with morals and values that will appeal to adolenscent children. A must-see film of anyone who is a fan of Jim Henson's work.

Four episodes with a new Storyteller. Join him and the dog as they wander through Greek ruins and tell the stories they know of the places. These stories are much darker and more adult than the first set of Russian stories we all know and love from the Jim Henson Hour, but still fantastic and worth the price.