Fairy Tale - A True Story poster & wallpaper
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Florence Hoath, Elizabeth Earl, Paul McGann, Phoebe Nicholls, Peter O'Toole ... see more see more... , Harvey Keitel , Bill Nighy , Bob Peck , Tim McInnerny , Mel Gibson , Jason Salkey

Two young girls who believe that fairies are real attempt to prove it to the world in this drama based on actual events. In 1917, there is little to be happy about in the Wright household in West York... read more read more...shire, England. Polly (Phoebe Nicholls) and her 12-year-old daughter Elsie (Florence Hoath) are still grieving over the death of Elsie's younger brother, and Polly's niece Frances (Elizabeth Earl) has come to stay with them after her father was declared missing in action during World War I. Polly longs for some sort of proof that there is a life beyond our own, while the two girls ardently believe in fairies and enthusiastically study legend and lore. One day, Elsie and Frances produce photographs of fairies that they claim were playing in their garden; Polly believes that they are real, and soon the snapshots attract international attention. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole), author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and a confirmed spiritualist, declares the photos "as genuine as the King's beard," while illusionist Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), who has devoted much time and energy to exposing phony mediums and psychics, takes a more skeptical view. While Fairy Tale: A True Story presents the appearance of the fairies as fact, analysis of the photographs proved them to be fakes (especially after the same fairies were discovered as illustrations in a children's book published before the photos were taken). The real-life Elsie Wright admitted late in life that the fairy photos were a hoax performed as a "little joke" and that she was always surprised that so many people believed them. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

62% liked it

10,191 ratings

Critics

52% liked it

21 critics

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Charles Sturridge

Release Date: October 24, 1997

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DVD Release Date: March 31, 1998

Stats: 388 reviews

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Florence Hoath Elizabeth Earl Fairy Tale - A True Story
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Flixster Reviews (388)

  • ScoopOnline
    December 16, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    If you have faith, anything is possible. I saw this Movie long time ago. It is Amazing even Adults believe in Fairies, but we even believe in Angels why not Fairies. Very inspiring Movie. Even though they revelead that the Pictures the girls shot were fake, I still think Children... read more see more than us Adults. It makes you believe in Magic so hardly.
  • bbcfloridabound
    April 18, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    Another film off the list from the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival, from the Galas. Again a Movie that I missed when it came out and the only reason I saw it was because of this list. This movie is not only for children or adults with children, anyone with a open mind sh... read moreould see this, or anyone one who enjoys a movie that is just not another movie. Set right after WWI, 2 young girls find and take a picture of a fairy, And the girls meet Harry Houdini, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ( The Lost World) who takes an interest in them. All and all a good clean Family movie, saw nothing that would make me not let children see it. 5 stars alone for that reason. 5 stars for the acting and overall story.
  • deano
    April 4, 2007
    deano
    This family-oriented fantasy is fine and little emotional tale of two young girls on a credulous British public shortly after World War I. Check out who's the cameo appearance in the final scene of this film.
  • weelee18
    December 30, 2008
    weelee18
    Good movie..
  • mingsysar
    October 27, 2008
    mingsysar
    Not as magical as it seems to think. Great cast though.
  • seanpercyz
    May 21, 2011
    seanpercyz
    I caught this "hidden treasure" on TV years ago and was instantly impressed. A good story from start to finish.
  • NobleKnight
    January 9, 2010
    NobleKnight
    Indeed an incredible story that tells the story two little girls that believed in something so impossible that it changed the worlds eyes.
    It was a delightful movie to watch the imagination come to life and show us the things one believes as a child and when you grow up you loose... read more that vision, hope, and belief.
    Always a delight to see Peter O'Tool perform as such characters, and having Harvey Keitel as Houdini.
  • bubblybrookie
    December 17, 2006
    bubblybrookie
    I LOVE fairies and stuff so its really really cool..great scenes!! a must have for ne fantasy lovers out there
  • candygram2
    October 9, 2006
    candygram2
    I loved this movie...it might sound stupid, but it brought my belief in fairies to life, as well as other things. Do U believe in magic?
  • jisatsu13kouu
    September 9, 2006
    jisatsu13kouu
    Surprisingly gets a grasp on your imagination and doesn't let go. I'm also a sucker for faeries/magic influenced movies.

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Critic Reviews

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

Flits, falters and falls flat.

Ken Hanke
June 23, 2010
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

It's good, but it ought to be better and it isn't. Full Review

Maria Garcia
July 16, 2007
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International

A film with no discernable point of view that's directed at no definable audience. Full Review

Nell Minow
May 22, 2003
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Charming special effects and appealing heroines, and truly an ambitious meditation on the nature of fantasy and reality and growing up.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
February 28, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

An enticing drama about the eternal clash between reason and the magical realm of enchantment. Full Review

Karina Montgomery
June 15, 2001
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina

It's Arthur Rackham vs the Adult/Capitalist/Industrial Revolution - the obsession with exploiting the extraordinary and making it ordinary.

Derek Elley
March 26, 2009
Derek Elley, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Stephen Hunter
January 22, 2002
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

February 14, 2001
Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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