I have a favourite adaptation of most well-known fairy-tales. In the majority of cases, it's the Disney version. This is an exception.
The Slipper and the Rose is an adaptation of Cinderella, as you can probably tell from the subtitle in the picture above. The songs were written by the Sherman Brothers, so they're as memorable as you'd expect. It was also adapted into a stage musical, but sadly I can't find any videos of that version.
Recognisable actors include:
Richard Chamberlain (Edmond Dantès in The Count of Monte Cristo 1975) as the Prince
Annette Crosbie (Mrs. F's aunt in Little Dorrit 2008) as the Fairy Godmother
Michael Hordern (Cedric in Ivanhoe 1982) as the King
Kenneth More (Lightoller in A Night to Remember) as the Lord High Chamberlain
It starts out a fairly standard adaptation of Cinderella. Cinderella's father has just died, and her wicked stepmother forces her to become a servant. But then it goes off in its own unique direction. Unusually for adaptations, it does this fairly well.
The King and Queen of Euphrania want their son Prince Edward to make a marriage of alliance. The prince objects. He wants to marry for love, something his parents think is ridiculous.
The Lord High Chamberlain, Prince Edward, and Edward's servant John
Edward's parents
The film follows the fairy-tale's plot pretty closely for the first half. The king and queen arrange a ball, Cinderella's fairy godmother sends her to the ball, Cinderella and the prince fall in love, she loses her slipper and it's used to identify her.
Cinderella and the fairy godmother
Cinderella and the Prince at the ball
But instead of ending with "the girl who fits this slipper" scene, the film adds a subplot after this. Edward is forbidden from marrying Cinderella because she isn't royal. The king and queen choose a foreign princess for him to marry and send Cinderella away. So the fairy godmother has to step in again to put everything to rights. And everyone gets a happy ending 😊
So, my overall opinion.
As mentioned earlier, the songs are all very memorable. But my absolute favourites are undoubtedly "Suddenly" and "Secret Kingdom". "What a Comforting Thing to Know" is one of the biggest ear worms I've ever heard, and "Tell Him Anything" makes me cry. Every time. So judged on the strength of the music alone, this film is pretty good.
The plot itself is also good. Silly, like all fairytales, but marginally more realistic than some. And there's plenty of comedy, especially when the Dowager Queen and Edward's cousin are on-screen. So all in all this film is well worth watching!
Is it available online? Yes, on ok.ru.
Rating: 8/10.
The fairy godmother finds Cinderella...
...in time to stop the Prince's wedding...
...and they live happily ever after.
So, my overall opinion.
As mentioned earlier, the songs are all very memorable. But my absolute favourites are undoubtedly "Suddenly" and "Secret Kingdom". "What a Comforting Thing to Know" is one of the biggest ear worms I've ever heard, and "Tell Him Anything" makes me cry. Every time. So judged on the strength of the music alone, this film is pretty good.
The plot itself is also good. Silly, like all fairytales, but marginally more realistic than some. And there's plenty of comedy, especially when the Dowager Queen and Edward's cousin are on-screen. So all in all this film is well worth watching!
Is it available online? Yes, on ok.ru.
Rating: 8/10.
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