Faerie Tale Theatre - Hansel and Gretel [DVD]

"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.

When I found this DVD I jumped at the chance to own it and watch it with my children. I remembered watching it with my siblings when we were young and I love movies that bring back memories. Well, this one surprised me because I did NOT remember the dark side of the movie. (Abandoning your children and witches baking up little children for pies.) I guess I must have blocked out the actual story and was just thinking of movie times with my siblings when we were young. I am still very happy with the DVD and the happy memories that it brought for me. But I would suggest viewing or re-viewing this movie before showing it to your little ones. lol

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.

This is The best live-action Hansel and Gretel movie out there!I've loved this movie since I was a child and I still do today. This is probably one of the few entries in the Faerie Tale Theatre series that still holds up fairly well today. The acting is superb - especially Joan Collins as the devious stepmother and the cannibalistic, crone-like witch. The makeup for the witch is fabulous, the scenery is excellent, and an enhanced plot adds depth to the story; yet it is still very suitable for children. The film is very much enhanced by a memorable score adapted from Humperdinck's opera. An all-around wonderful movie.

I used to watch fairie tale theatres when i was a little girl, now my seven year old daughter loves them!!! I got her hooked on these movies!! Our order arrived before expected and was in awsome condition!!! thank you so very much!!

Just what I wanted and arrived on time

I loved to watch this movie as a child and I still love it today. I enjoy seeing the actors perform when they are so young and fresh. Shelly Duvall's collection is wonderful and it is a MUST for all children and adults young at heart to see.

SPOILERS FOLLOWFaerie Tale Theatre's marvelous adaptation of "Hansel and Gretel" ranks among the series' best episodes. Starring Rick(at the time Ricky)Schroeder, Paul Dooley and Joan Collins, it features an intelligent script and a strong musical score.In particular, Joan Collins gives a tour de force performance as the cold wife of the good woodsman which Mr. Dooley plays. Additionally. Collins may be genuinely scary to young children as the evil ugly witch of the candy house which Hansel and Gretel eat. Rick Schroeder, at that point in time still playing Ricky Stratton on the TV show "Silver Spoons," does a fine job playing Hansel in this production. He is particularly at his best as the embodiment of the protective older brother to Bridgette Andersen's Gretel. Andersen gives a cute and believable performance as Gretel, and is arguably best known as Savannah Driscoll from the 1982 tearjerker classic "Savannah Smiles."This remains among Faerie Tale Theatre's finest episodes.

This was one of the best episodes from the 1980s TV series 'Faerie Tale Theatre' where famous tales from childhood would be interpreted in a new way with some big star names.In this we see the well-worn story of 'Hansel And Gretel' interpreted with some humour starring Joan Collins. An award-winning performance from her here, as she takes on the duel roles of 'wicked' stepmother and 'the witch'! The transformation is astounding!Also stars the late tragic child star Bridgette Andersen as a very cute 'Gretel'.Not quite as quaint a series as it would have been had it been done in England.

this cannot be played on my dvd player as its for usa