Customer Reviews

The Slipper and the Rose [VHS]

5 star:		(105)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This has long been my favorite movie ever made. As a lover of fairy tales, it sparked my interest immediately, and as a girl my favorite fairy tale of all was "Cinderella."

Here, the Sherman Brothers (writers of "Mary Poppins") have brought this classic story to a whole new level. The richness of this tale is unsurpassed. In spite of its being fairly cheesy (hardly surprising in a fairy tale, after all) it is also wonderfully charming. The story is expanded excellently, and this new release of it includes never-before-seen footage as well. The added footage was wonderful, I was so upset that they had actually left it OUT! There are even two new songs that were not in the original release, and a couple of other songs are expanded.

The music is breathtaking and sometimes downright haunting (as in the case of "Tell Him Anything" or "I Can't Forget the Melody"), the cinematography is gorgeous, and the costumes are simply unbelievable! I wanted to be in that movie if only for the sake of those scrumptious costumes! ;-)

For the lover of the musical, or simply a lover of fairy tales, this is the best of them all.

"Wonderfully, beautifully it happens and your world is new," says Cinderella in this long awaited film, which is FINALLY being released in its entirety -- the full length, British version! This wonderful, lavish musical of the story of Cinderella, stars Richard Chamberlain as the Prince, Gemma Craven as Cinderella, and a wonderful cast including Annette Crosbie, Michael Hordern, Christopher Gable, Kenneth More, Margaret Lockwood, and Dame Edith Evans. The musical score is brilliantly written by the incomparable Sherman Brothers, who also co-wrote the script with Director Bryan Forbes. This is a great film for all ages, and sure to be a perfect addition to your movie collection.

ALSO INCLUDED on the DVD are an audio commentary by director Bryan Forbes, a video interview with the Sherman Brothers, and a promotional featurette -- "Cinderella Story: The Making of 'The Slipper and the Rose".

I first saw that movie when I was in second grade and I remember putting "Gemma Craven" (the actress, who plays Cinderella) as my "Favorite Actress" in my diary. I have seen this movie so many times now and I can watch it over and over again... The music is amazing (by the Sherman Brothers, who also wrote "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"). The story is so detailed and realistic for those times and full of humor and subtle irony. Everytime I watch that movie I find another detail that makes me smile - it is definitely not only for children, but also for adults with a big heart. It was produced with a love to detail. The costumes and the scenery are truly magical and splendid. There are no words to really describe the beauty of them. The dancing scenes are wonderfully choreographed and danced. The actors not only play their roles - they ARE them. I would not change one single actor - they all are so unique and could not have been chosen better: I love the slightly confused King, the wicked but stylish Stepmother, the loveable Fairy Godmother and of course Richard Chamberlain as the charming Prince and Gemma Craven as the beautiful and touching Cinderella. I can unconditionally recommend that movie. I have seen most Cinderella movies (old and new, musical and fairy tale, ballet versions etc.) and this is my most favorite!

I think I was about five years old when I first saw this movie, and immediately I was hooked. It tells the story of Cinderella, and has to be one of the most lavish tellings of the tale that I have ever seen. The sets and scenery are beautiful, as are the magnificent houses which remind me of the castles we all longed to live in as young children. All roles in the film are cast perfectly, especially Margaret Lockwood as the wicked stepmother, who makes life hellish for our beautiful heroine.

The Slipper and the Rose, never takes itself too seriously, but at all times remains engaging. At the time of its theatrical release, this film was not received well, however everyone that I know who has seen it, has remarked on what a fun, witty, and romantic film it is, with fantastic music and songs that you hum for days afterwards. Definitely one for the collection.

Price wise....ya its cheaper than the 2000 issue
BUT!

this one is only Full Screen 1:33
and
127 min run time

the 2000 issue is now up to $25.00 +
but is Wide Screen 2:35
and
143 min run time

yes their really are reasons to know what movie versions are out there to know what one really is the best to buy!
this one isn't it!

I remember seeing this when I was young, but couldn't remember the name of it. I was delighted when I found it again. While some of the songs in this are not the best work ever in a musical, ("Proticoligorically Correct" comes to mind, which in my opinion drags the movie down a bit), the acting of the cast in the rest of the film more than makes up for it. The showstopping song and dance of "Position and Positioning" is particularly fine, and does bring back memories of the rooftop dancing from "Mary Poppins," which was also the work of the creative team on this film.

Even those actors who don't have any lines to speak of add to the fun, including the Queen mother of "the other bride," whose facial expressions while her husband and the King of Euphrania discuss the problem of their disobedient children make me laugh every time I see it.

The leads do a wonderful job in this, particularly Richard Chamberlin, who portrays a very kind and thoughtful prince. As with many veteran actors, you can almost see what he is thinking when he is onscreen. (Veteran, indeed; I still find it hard to believe that he was 40 when he played this role!) The fact that we actually get to know the prince is one of the things that make this retelling of the tale superior to others. He has at least as much screen time as does Gemma Craven, and it adds to the richness of the story.

Gemma Craven, as the main character, does a fine job, managing to stay just this side of sappy. Often with the Cinderella story, I feel the urge to slap the girl silly, most often because the actress in the role is sort of "parroting" goodness. Ms. Craven's performance leaves you believing that Cinderella is simply a noble being, willing even to sacrifice her own happiness for the good of the people in her homeland, and trying to ensure that the man she loves will not be miserable when he finds she has done so. You can't help being delighted for her when things turn out right in the end.

The best performance by far, though, in this movie is that of Annette Crosby as the Fairy Godmother. Rather than the sugary-sweet version that we are served up in the other versions of the Cinderella story, Ms. Crosby's performance is delightfully tart and very funny. This version also finally explains the reason for the "leave before the stroke of midnight" stricture, which has always been an irritating point in the classic fable. *Why* does Cinderella have to leave before midnight? The explanation in this version at least makes sense.

For fans of the Cinderella myth, this is a good version to choose.

I saw this movie years ago on the Disney Channel, fell in love, taped it, and have worn out the tape. I have been searching for over ten years for this wonderful musical and was utterly delighted to find it finally available. The characters are intelligent, funny, and believeable. The plot fleshes out the familiar story and adds enough twists and inside jokes to keep adults guessing but keeps it colorful and magical enough for kids to love it too. The music is memorable enough that even without seeing it for years I can still hum the tunes. Cinderella and her prince are as charming and noble as any self-respecting fairy tale lover would wish and the Fairy Godmother nearly steals the show. This wonderful movie can be summed up in one word: Enchanting!

I found this movie one day on the Disney Channel while flipping throug the channels. I only saw the last hour or so, but I was enthralled. I have looked for it for 2 years. Then I discovered it's finally on video. I bought it at once, naturally. This is the most romantic version of the famous tale that I've ever seen. Richard Chamberlain does an outstanding performance as the prince. He's handsome, charming and witty. I'm surprised more of the princesses didn't agree to come to the bride finding ball. Gemma Cravens is the perfect Cinderella: beautiful, sweet, and kind. A princess in her manner and character. Edward and Cinderella are the perfect couple. Their love is touching. And I like all the twists and turns in the story that leave you wondering if maybe the prince won't marry his beloved Cinderella. But of course he does, but the two go through a lot. They have their problems and separations. It's not all roses for them. Though this is a fairy tale, it doesn't seem like it. It's all very believable. And very well done. It didn't lack anything at all. It's just a wonderful, romantic tale, and a joy to watch. Love really does find a way!

The fully restored version (based on the British release) that was released in 2000 on DVD ran 143 minutes and had some great extras including one of the better commentaries I've ever heard. This DVD is listed as much shorter in run time and the description doesn't mention extras. I really enjoyed the restored version, the songs ran longer and some plot points made more sense. I'd love to order this for gifts since the other is out of print but I don't want to give the edited American version especially if it doesn't include that commentary.

I watched this movie when it first came out thirty years ago. The music is wonderful. Just what you would expect. The take on the story is a little different but not so different as to disappoint diehard Cinderella fans. There is more of a back story to the Prince and a new dilemma keeping him and Cinderella apart. The stepmother and stepsisters are divine. They nailed the parts. The fairy godmother is a riot and probably my favorite character in this movie. The incidental love story of the prince's companion-at-arms and a lady-in-waiting is very charming. I have always loved fairy tales and I was not disappointed in the retelling of one of the world's favorites.