Hansel & Gretel

Amazon.com

In this live-action, Cannon group rendition of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale Hansel and Gretel, music, drama, and suspense interweave in a captivating tale of two young children lost in the woods. Sent to pick berries by their exasperated mother (Emily Richard), Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapleton) stray from the well-worn path into the dangerous Northern Woods with nary a care; singing, dancing, and leaving a trail of cookie crumbs so they can find their way back home. Happiness soon becomes despair when the two children discover that the birds have eaten their crumbs and they're hopelessly lost in the woods. Scared and hungry, Hansel and Gretel stumble upon a gingerbread house inhabited by a seemingly kind old woman Griselda (Oscar-winner Cloris Leachman) and gorge themselves on an abundance of sweets and pastries. Pure fright replaces the children's initial glee when they discover that Griselda is really an evil witch who wants to imprison them and eat them for supper. Somehow, the children must escape from the wicked witch and reunite with their father (David Warner) and mother. Cloris Leachman is absolutely convincing as the wicked Griselda in this production and Hugh Pollard and Nicola Stapleton adeptly portray the innocence, fears, and resourcefulness of young children. (Ages 6 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Description

Oscar® winner* 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!

Customer Reviews:

HAVE LOTS OF CANDY HANDY WHEN YOU WATCH THIS MOVIE TREAT.......2007-07-03

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!!

"This is how the world can be, all the children strong and free...".......2007-06-29

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).

cute version .......2007-02-10

I really enjoyed this version. I like this because this version has the mother caring about the kids where in the origional story the mother was cold and cruel. Cloris Leachman was classic as the witch. pretty good special effects. I cheered when gretal was able to get the magic stick and zap the witch into gingerbread and break the spell that was over the missing kids of the forest. You'll enjoy this movie if you like fairytales

Hansel and Gretel.......2007-01-09

It was great to see that they have the Cannon Tales on DVD now! My daughter and I used to watch it together when she was an adolescent and now she is going to be a mother herself. I purchased this so that my grandchildren will be able to view the movies that their mother watched when she was little. Cloris Leachman steals the show in this one!

Awsome!.......2006-11-11

This movie was perfect in every way,and the trees and the berries,and the candy were great looking. Hansel and Gretel are amazing actors! I own this on DVD,I am going to order it on video too! But I wonder why there is no cover for the video? But anyway,this is a great movie!

Humperdinck - Hansel und Gretel / Edita Gruberova, Brigitte Fassbaender, Hermann Prey, Helga Dernesch, Sena Jurinac, Georg Solti, Vienna Philhamonic (1981)

Average customer rating:

Enchanting
An all-star cast delivers in this profound, moving work
Beautiful music, costuming, and singing
Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel
Beautiful filming and cast bring Humperdinck's famous opera to life

Humperdinck - Hansel und Gretel / Edita Gruberova, Brigitte Fassbaender, Hermann Prey, Helga Dernesch, Sena Jurinac, Georg Solti, Vienna Philhamonic (1981)
Starring: Edita Gruberova , Brigitte Fassbaender , Hermann Prey , Norma Burrowes , and Elfriede Hobarth
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000AXSKB8
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Customer Reviews:

Enchanting.......2006-12-14

Before watching this, put aside your critical eye and relax so you can be carried along with the magic. It is, as the other reviewers have said, beautifully done. But you watch this opera to be enchanted - let it happen. It starts with the overture - the camera takes you to the beautiful opera house, past the poster announcing the opera and sweeps you along with the children who are flooding into the hall. Then Georg Solti is seen closeup conducting the orchestra and then the scene shifts to the beginning of the opera. Throughout there are occasional cuts to the children's faces so you can see they are as transfixed as you - if you will just relax and let it happen as a child does. Scene changes are done magically without pause in the music. You will be moved emotionally when the fourteen angels appear as Hansel and Gretel sleep in the forest. The forest is just scary enough to send shivers through small bodies but not so frightening they will not want to watch. The witch is bad but not the kind of bad that makes for nightmares in children. Unless, of course, the watching child is sweet and plump enough to make good gingerbread. The language is a problem at first because it is so NOT like children would talk - ever. But - remember it's opera, remember it's translated from German, remember it's supposed to be a little high falutin' and remember - most important - remember you are watching this opera because you decided to be enchanted. Just let it carry you and you'll be happy. It'a beautifully staged, beautifully costumed, beautifully sung, beautifully played and utterly enchanting. "mousy, mousy, who's nibbling on my housy?" says the gingerbread making witch as Hansel tears off parts of the roof. It's for kids. All of us kids.

An all-star cast delivers in this profound, moving work.......2006-05-21

Hansel and Gretel is simply a masterwork, and this film does it justice! Check out the other 5-star reviews -- especially Mike Birman's -- for additional detail and observations with which I completely concur. Humperdinck uses the fairy tale as a vehicle for making powerful statements about love, hope, and faith. Humperdinck was influenced by Wagner's principle that drama based on myth and legend common to a people was at once both most understandable and appealing.

This performance is absolutely the best there is of this work. I wore out the 1981 tape I had, and have waited for YEARS for this production to come out in DVD. While the special effects do not come up to today's production standards, what is there is effective.

The production is filmed, not staged. The audio is top-drawer and the acting is compelling and believable. This is an all-star cast, conductor, and orchestra that will not disappoint; check out the bios of the cast for yourself. Prepare to be blown away at how they could all be lined up for this project!

Bottom line? BUY THIS DVD!

Beautiful music, costuming, and singing .......2006-05-14

Of the handful of available Hansel and Gretels, this is the best sung, and has the most period-authentic costuming.

Brigitte Fassbaender and Edita Gruberova, as Hansel and Gretel, simply can't be beaten, both for the perfection of their singing, AND their acting--they are so truly childlike (not childish!).

Yes, it gets better. Hermann Prey and Helga Dernesch add personality and a touch of comedy to make the Father and Mother roles much more than they usually are.

All we need now to make it a definitive H & G would be a good "Knusper-Witch," which we have in Sena Jurinac--scary, but believable and essential.

If you already enjoy Hansel and Gretel, you will still be surprised both by how believable as young children Fassbaender and Gruberova are. And--you get their splendid singing abilities.

This performance was recorded in 1981, but is certainly not at all out of date. It has subtitles available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, but you really don't need the subtitles to follow the story or to enjoy the show.

This would be an ideal performance to introduce opera to children, or perhaps to friends who think they could never enjoy opera.

You'll find more amazing details each time you watch it!

Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel.......2006-03-23

Reading subtitles to "little ones" was undesirable. Musically very beautiful.

Beautiful filming and cast bring Humperdinck's famous opera to life.......2006-02-11

I saw this 1981 production of Humperdinck's evergreen opera HANSEL UND GRETEL (composed 1893) on a PBS telecast about 1987, and really enjoyed it alot. I recognized Hermann Prey (1929-1998) despite his costume, and he looked alot here like a then-current photo of him in MUSICAL AMERICA, where the reviewer lambasted Prey's recent audio recording of Schubert's WINTERREISE (Denon CD). While I have not heard Prey's Denon WINTERREISE, I heard him sing the role of Father here, and really enjoyed what he did with his part. Prey's talents as a comic actor shine forth here, and he is so expressive! Even though his part is not that large it is SO WELL DONE, this was what I remembered from the 1987 PBS telecast.

The other roles are all wonderfully performed: Brigitte Fassbaender really makes you believe in Hansel, an impish boy, and Edita Gruberova looks the part of the naive young Gretel. Helga Dernesch is wonderful as the mother, looking rather matronly as a mother might in 1893, and she surely doesn't hold back scolding her children for their laziness and lack of caring in failing to mend the brooms - their assigned task - while she was away. Sena Jurinac is at once comic and scary as the witch: I would not show this to a child prone to nightmares. The scene where she has Hansel in a cage waiting to bake him in the oven is really macabre, and has the potential of scaring children, especially in my family. Sir Georg Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic offer terrific support, and the scene where sunflowers turn into children near the end is very effective. I really like the way the directors incorporate the audience of children into the scenes: at the beginning and at several points in the opera. This reminded me a little of Ingmar Bergman's film version of Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE, and is very effective in supporting the story line and holding the viewer's interest.

Recorded sound is very good, dating from 1981 as are the color and picture.

My favorite line of text from HANSEL UND GRETEL is in the first scene, where Hansel (Fassbaender) complains of having nothing but dry bread to eat for weeks. Gretel (Gruberova) quotes her father (paraphrase) with "When need is great as we can stand, the gracious Lord holds forth His hand." This line is repeated at the end of the opera, in the last scene by Father (Prey), and is very touching and effective. If only many people today faced with changes of job, salary, lifestyle, financial circumstances - could keep this in mind: God takes care of those who believe in Him, despite hardship, poverty, and grief.

I really enjoyed this, and would recommend it to adults and children age 10 and older, but the scenes with the witch trying to bake Hansel in an oven would likely frighten younger children, so I would not recommend it to them. Solti and the Vienna Philharmonic are a treat to hear, and sound wonderful, even on a modest stereo system like mine. Recommended with the conditions mentioned.

Average customer rating:

Superb Movie-Definitely Recommend!
A childhood favorite of mine!
Chiefly for those who like Disney's Fantasia
Favorite classic
Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy

Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy
Starring: Anna Russell , Mildred Dunnock , Frank Rogier , Constance Brigham , and Helen Boatwright
Director: Michael Myerberg , and John Paul (II)
Manufacturer: View Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005O6ON
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Description

WINNER OF...
New England Film & Video Festival- Finalist
Dove Foundation Family Approved Seal
A NAIRD Award Finalist
Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence
Coalition For Quality Childrenâ€™s Video: Kids First! Endorsement

Composed by Englebert Humperdinck
Conducted by Franz Aller
Directed by Michael Meyerberg
Starring Anna Russell as The Witch
and Constance Brigham, Mildred Dunnock, Frank Rogier

Hansel and Gretel came to life in 1954 as never before, in this kinemin* animated feature set to Englebert Humperdinck's classic 1893 opera. Sung by some of the most acclaimed performers of the day, this score was nominated for a Grammy Award.

With brilliant imagination and unprecedented technical wizardry-comparable only to Walt Disney's Fantasia-this production uses 35 hand-sculpted dolls and lavish sets to create a fantasy land of unearthly beauty, inhabited by characters of unparalleled charm.

V.I.E.W. Video is proud to present this definitive production of Hansel and Gretel. A masterpiece of melodic beauty, whimsical story and magical settings that will delight children and the whole family.

*The kinemen characters took over 15 years to develop. Compounded of intricate armatures a secret chemical mixture for "flesh," human hair, magnetized feet and truly human personalities; they are "exemplary actors," able to duplicate natural movements of the human body, and with a variety of facial expressions that surpass the range of humans.

DVD BONUS FEATURES
The Making Ofâ€¦ Featurette Movie
Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
Multi-Directional Interactive Menus
Instant Chapter Access to Songs
Over 30 Scene Selections
Composer Biography
Story Synopsis

Customer Reviews:

Superb Movie-Definitely Recommend!.......2007-04-19

I would definitely recommend this movie to children of all ages. It is a great classic and I remember watching it as a child in the mid-80's. This is a movie I am very happy to buy once again!

A childhood favorite of mine!.......2007-02-15

I recently ordered this DVD. I was surprised when I found out that it had been released on DVD. You have no idea. I went nuts. I used to watch this over and over again when I was younger. My mother had bought a VHS copy of this at Wal Mart. Watched it all the time, and then it accidentally got sold at a yard sale. Don't know how that happened, but it did. Anyways, ever since then, I had always looked for a copy, but could never find one until now.

This is one of the best children's films ever produced, and the best claymation production ever...well, this and The Nightmare Before Christmas. It may look dated, but we have to remember that it WAS made in the '50s. Anna Russell still cracks me up as the voice of Rosina Rubylips, the witch. The entire vocal cast is excellent! I LOVE THIS FILM!

The only problem with the DVD is this: It looks as though someone took a VHS and transferred it over to a DVD. The sound isn't that great at times, either. Since this is the only version available at the moment, it will have to do. When (and if) they do finally remaster it and clean it up, I'll buy a new version of it. As of now, I'll settle with this one.

There is also a ten minute "making of" feature on here. Pretty interesting. If you grew up with this, and you love it like I do, buy it. I don't see any signs of a new DVD version coming out any time soon.

Chiefly for those who like Disney's Fantasia.......2006-11-17

This is not an opera, nor a cartoon version of an opera.

What it is, is an animated film of the story of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel, presented in the style of Walt Disney's Fantasia. The artists made little figures, with such amazing detail that it allows for facial expressions and movement, and then took more than 140,000 pictures of them to give them movement and life. It makes for a very unusual presentation--neither cartoon nor real people.

It appeals to mainly two groups: those looking for an introduction to the opera or story of Hansel and Gretel, and those interested in a movie like Disney's "Fantasia."

Oh, I should have said THREE groups: there is also a growing interest in this as a camp movie (like the Rocky Horror Picture Show). Most of this comes as a result of love for the great operatic comedienne, Anna Russell, who was in this production the delightfully camp voice of the witch, Rosina Rubylips.

Favorite classic.......2006-06-30

Mother took me to see this film when I was a child. Loved it then and I still do. Have been searching for this video a long time. I have a German heritage. This is one of my favorite fairy tales and favorite operas. Learned to sing several of the arias. Danced the part of one of the 14 angels and later the dew fairy in OKC productions of this opera. Beautiful music performed in the opera comic style with singing and speaking. Wonderful visuals. Am preparing lesson plans which include this video and Bergmann's subtitled Magic Flute for a unit on opera. Unfortunately, this move is not for everyone. Today's audiences have been brought up on very shallow popular entertainment which is geared to the lowest common denominator. This lovely little piece of video art requires some cognitive activity on the part of the viewer and an attention span of more than 20 minutes.

Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy.......2006-03-12

Takes you back to the early 60's watching this on WPIX Channel 11 as a TV special. It is nice to have for your collection, younger children may not enjoy it today.

Average customer rating:

Pure Snoozefest
Hansel & Gretel
Great for all ages
Hansel and Gretel
Not for Adults

Hansel & Gretel
Starring: Taylor Momsen , Jacob Smith , Delta Burke , Howie Mandel , and Alana Austin
Director: Gary J. Tunnicliffe
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00007K01V
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Amazon.com

Kids rule; stepmothers, witches, and boogeymen drool (quite literally) in this saucy retelling of the classic Grimm's fairy tale. It's night and the kids are in bed, afraid of the dark. Searching for a favorite bedtime story, their modern-day dad--apparently widowed--finds a mysterious volume, dusts it off, and begins to read aloud. Ironically, this 90-minute tale is anything but soothing. Edgy characters abound, from the ax-wielding stepmother (played by Delta Burke with Miss Piggy flair), to a gun-toting wood fairie and a wicked witch (Lynn Redgrave) who nips from the bottle. Thanks to a rather effeminate Sandman (Howie Mandel channeling interior designer Christopher Lowell), the journey takes many wacky turns but ends on a happy note. Add to this wicked brew several spoonfuls of TV references and potty humor, and the result is a show that 8- to 12-year-olds will lap up. --Liane Thomas

Description

When their wicked stepmother strands them in the Magic Forest, things look Grimm for little Hansel and Gretel. On their enchanted odyssey, they encounter everything from a scatter-brained Sandman and a bumbling Boogeyman to a wonderfully Wicked Witch who really likes kids - well-done!

DVD Features:
Electronic press kit:Behind The Scenes
Featurette:How To Make A Gingerbread House Guided Tour of The Monster Shop
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Pure Snoozefest .......2007-05-17

This is one of the all time worst movies, although Material Girls will forever hold the title of Worst Movie Ever. But Hansel & Gretel makes a valiant attempt at capturing that title.

The only reason to actually buy this movie is if you're collecting Daokta Fanning, and she's the film's one redeeming quality. Unfortunately, her role is very small.

If you suffer from insomnia, Hansel & Gretel is the cure you've been looking for.

Hansel & Gretel.......2006-07-06

I really enjoyed this movie, while Howey has changed much from his older comedy routines he is still funny and the rest of the actors add some spice to this satire of an old time classic for the whole family - and that Wood Fairy, WOWZERS!
If you like this one too then you might also be interested in Howey Mandel's "Walk Like A Man", another old time favorite of mine (when Howey had hair!)

Great for all ages.......2005-06-08

Okay, I passed on this one for a while, until I got to see a few clips. All the actors are great and it has just the right touch of satire and unexpected twists to keep your interest.

Delta Burke is perfect. Taylor Momsen shines.

My favorite line of the whole movie--"I see fairytale people" ---delivered by Dakota Fanning--always a great actress in everything she's in.

Highly recommended for your DVD library.

Hansel and Gretel.......2004-10-25

This is a great satire on the traditional version of Hansel and Gretel! My grandson and I thoroughly enjoyed viewing this video together. He enjoyed the unique characters and I enjoyed the subtle humor of the dialogue. Delta Burke was the perfect evil step-mother and what a witch Vanessa Redgrave made! The closing line delivered by Delta Burke was priceless. All the actors did a fantastic job in making this version of Hansel and Gretel a movie to add to your collection.

Not for Adults.......2004-08-30

My husband and I often enjoy fairy tales and the like. This was an exception. I will admit that 5-11 year olds probably love this, but why suffer thru it with them. If you like this lame movie you'll probably like The Magic of the Leprechauns too. If you want some clever script-writing, adult laughs, and decent acting in the genre, get Jack and the Beanstalk (The Real Story), Tenth Kingdom, or Snow White: The Fairest of them All.

Average customer rating:

Pure Snoozefest
Hansel & Gretel
Great for all ages
Hansel and Gretel
Not for Adults

Hansel and Gretel
Starring: Taylor Momsen , Jacob Smith , Delta Burke , Howie Mandel , and Alana Austin
Director: Gary J. Tunnicliffe
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000EQ46WS
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Pure Snoozefest .......2007-05-17

Hansel & Gretel.......2006-07-06

Great for all ages.......2005-06-08

Hansel and Gretel.......2004-10-25

Not for Adults.......2004-08-30

Average customer rating:

DON'T TAKE CANDY FROM STRANGERS IN THIS DARK, SPOOKY STORY
Hansel & Gretel- one of the best in FTT collection
Faerie Tale Theatre's finest.
one of the best!
Faerie Tale Theatre on DVD

Faerie Tale Theatre - Hansel and Gretel
Starring: Joan Collins , Bridgette Andersen , Paul Dooley , and Rick Schroder
Director: James Frawley
Manufacturer: Starmaker II
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Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00061UHX8
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Description

A brother and sister are abandoned in the forest by their wicked stepmother where they come across a witch who decides to make them part of her dinner.

Customer Reviews:

DON'T TAKE CANDY FROM STRANGERS IN THIS DARK, SPOOKY STORY.......2007-07-03

The trademarks of Shelley Duvall's outstanding "Faerie Tale Theatre" Series are superb casting and remarkable faithfulness to the original classic stories. Kudos to Duvall, director James Frawley, and writer Patricia Resnick for retaining the dark and spooky tone of "HANSEL AND GRETEL." This may be the grimmist of all the Grimm Fairy Tales, but it makes for one of the best "Faerie Tale Theatre" productions (1982).
Joan Collins, then at the height of her popularity as witchy Alexis on "DYNASTY", has a performing field day as both the Selfish Stepmother and the hideous Witch who terrorizes the title tots. As the Witch, Collins is every bit as terrorfying as Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch Of The West in "THE WIZARD OF OZ." When the Witch shoves Hansel (Rick(y) Schroder) into a cage, there is another victim inside as well. As the Witch drags the pudgey boy off to the oven, Hansel gets a glimpse of his grizsly fate. The scene where Gretel finally pushes the hideous hag into her own oven is genuinely frightening.
Bridgette Anderson makes an apple-faced, angelic Gretel. Does anyone know whatever happened to her? Rick(y) Schroder, of "THE CHAMP" re-make, "SILVER SPOONS," "N.Y.P.D. BLUE", "STRONG MEDICINE", and dozens of TV movies, is stalwart and protective as big brother Hansel. Paul Dooley completes the cast as their rather milqtoast, put-upon father.

Hansel & Gretel- one of the best in FTT collection.......2006-09-08

"Nibble nibble little mouse, who is eating up my house??..."
says the witch from inside the gingerbread house to Hansel and Gretel as they feast on the chocolate chimney and candy window.........

I have to say, this is my favorite out of the ones of I have seen in the FTT Collection. Joan Collins (who plays the evil stepmother as well as the witch) does an excellent job; she give both roles a flawless performance. The musical score is also excellent, and keeps in tune to what is going on in the film.

I just received this one on DVD and hadn't seen it since I was probably about 12. What a way to bring back childhood memories!I'm going to collect these so when I have children someday, they will be able to enjoy Faerie Tale Theatre as much as I have.

Hansel & Gretel...one of the best

Faerie Tale Theatre's finest........2005-02-15

"I'm only an old woman with poor, weak eyes. Don't be frightened; no harm will come to you. Come, come inside with me and I will take care of you . . . " The witch beckons Hansel and Gretel to enter her gingerbread cottage.

The dark and captivating world created by the Brothers Grimm is wonderfully depicted in this, the finest in the Faerie Tale Theatre series with costumes and set designs based on the unique work of English illustrator Arthur Rackham. Ricky Schroder and Bridgette Anderson star as the brother and sister who are abandoned deep in the forest by their woodcutter father (Paul Dooley) and their scheming and manipulative stepmother, played brilliantly by Joan Collins. It comes as a surprise to many viewers that Joan Collins also plays the part of the witch and is unrecognizable due to an incredible make-up job transforming her into a terrifying witch out of a Rackham illustration. Joan Collins was actually nominated for a Cable ACE Award in 1983 for her roles in Hansel and Gretel.

Everything about this episode of Faerie Tale Theatre is perfect, from the way it is shot to the musical score, some of which is adapted from Engelbert Humperdinck's famous `Hansel and Gretel' opera.

I highly recommend this thrilling episode of Faerie Tale Theatre, it will entertain all ages and now that it is available on DVD it can be viewed with perfect picture and sound.

one of the best!.......2004-10-25

HANSEL AND GRETEL is one of the best in the FAERIE TALE THEATRE series, with lush costume and set designs based on the classic storybook illustrations of Arthur Rackham.

Young Hansel and Gretel (Rick Schroder and Bridgette Andersen) are abandoned in the forest by their cruel stepmother (Joan Collins). The children happen across a magical cottage entirely made of gingerbread and sweets, which is owned by an evil witch...

Joan Collins plays the dual-roles of the stepmother and the witch, and gives a fantastic performance as both characters. Paul Dooley plays the children's well-meaning father.

One of the best of FAERIE TALE THEATRE's earlier episodes.

Faerie Tale Theatre on DVD.......2004-09-18

After years of waiting, Faerie Tale Theatre fans can finally own the series on DVD. Shelley Duvall's series originally appeared on Showtime 20 years ago and featured well-known and rising stars of the time. The series' enthusiastic interpretations of beloved fairy tales has made it a cult classic. Better yet, the DVD prices are affordable, especially after the high prices the used VHS copies have been earning in recent years.

About this episode:

Abandoned by their parents, a brother and sister are lost in the woods and stumble across a fantastic cottage. Unfortunately, a witch lives in it and she doesn't want to keep her houseguests for long. This is one of the scarier of the Faerie Tale Theatre episodes, especially since young children play the roles and Joan Collins plays a scary witch, but it's a children's favorite nevertheless.

Cast:
Joan Collins ... The Witch/Evil Stepmother
Rick Schroder ... Hansel
Bridgette Andersen ... Gretel

The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (Hansel and Gretel/Brother and Sister)

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wonderful fairytales

The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (Hansel and Gretel/Brother and Sister)
Starring: Brothers Grimm Double Feature
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BI5MBS
Release Date: 2006-01-03

Customer Reviews:

wonderful fairytales.......2006-12-17

My 6 year old son loves eveything fairytale, and these movies are his favorite. These particular fairytales are not dark and scary like Disney can sometimes be. We have all of these fairytales and will continue to buy them as new ones come out.

Average customer rating:

This one beats all!!! Great fun!!!
Innovative, Yet Respectful Production

Humperdinck - Hansel und Gretel
Starring: Iris Vermillon , Antigone Papoulkas , Anna Gabler , Hans-Joachim Ketelsen , and Michael Hofstetter
Director: Katharina Thalbach
Manufacturer: EuroArts
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000NOIWNA
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Customer Reviews:

This one beats all!!! Great fun!!!.......2007-09-13

I loved this production! Hansel, Antigone Papoulkas who gets five stars herself, and Gretel, Anna Gabler, were wonderfully bratty and childlike in their appearance, behavior and mannerisms, unlike the sappy performances in other productions, e.g., with Edita Gruberova or Fredericka Von Strade. The parents, played to perfection by Hans-Joachim Ketelsen and Irmgard Vilsmaier, were great singers. The witch, Iris Vermillion, appeared as a beautiful vamp who soon pulled off her red wig and put on creepy gloves to transform her hands, covered her skin-tight red gown with a frumpy dress complete with built-in hunchback, and donned coke bottle eyeglasses to show her blindness, etc. Bald and creepy! Great acting, great singing by everyone.

The lighting effects, staging, choreography and direction made this a first class, entertaining opera. The music, conducted by Michael Hofstetter, was perfect from start to finish. Also appealling were the frequent audience shots of cute little toddlers paying rapt attention.

I've seen a few versions of this opera and this is the only one I'd recommend or watch more than once.

Innovative, Yet Respectful Production.......2007-06-15

This new DVD gives us a real directorial find in Katharina Thalbach. She has approached this very familiar and beloved opera with fresh insights, giving us a combination of childhood nightmares and adult reflections on them. She doesn't reset the opera or update it. The children act like the little brats they are and learn to fend for themselves in a very scary world. The Witch begins by trying to seduce the children (particularly the pubescent Hansel) and soon reveals herself to look like something out of Roald Dahl's "The Witches" - bald, self-important, dangerous. Iris Vermilion does a great job with a role that is usually overplayed. She is comical and repulsive all at once. The parents are excellent in their rather stylized make-up. Irmgard Vilsmaier should have a bigger career than she does now, singing with the type of steadiness and security so often missing in today's Wagnerian productions. The children sing well if not memorably (Gretel is strained on top and doesn't have the top D - it's optional anyway). Those who want more traditional fare should stick with the Met's beautiful 1982 production (OOP right now) or Everding's lovely studio version (DG). But Thalbach's version deserves to be heard and discussed. It is never outrageous and always thought-provoking.

The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (The Bremen Town Musicians/Table Set Yourself/Hansel and Gretel/Brother and Sister)

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The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (The Bremen Town Musicians/Table Set Yourself/Hansel and Gretel/Brother and Sister)
Starring: Brothers Grimm Double Feature 2pak
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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