The Slipper And The Rose (DVD)

...its on DVD everywhere for the bargain bin priceof £5.99 and its worth every penny and more!

I used to have this on VHS when I was a kid at my Grandparents and by watch it I mean over & over & over! Now its one I can watch with my 7 year old sister... and she loves it too.

The tale is "a musical of the Cinderella story". So yes you have the Prince, Cinders and a wicked Stepmother, fairy Godmother etc etc you ...
...sent to exhile in the story did she... Hmmmm! So expect a few twists.

Filmed in Austria (and pinewood studios) the landscapes are stunning the snowy vast hills in the opener are beautiful. The costumes are beyond brilliant and they just make the film even more magical!

The cast is brilliant. Gemma Craven, whatever happened to her, plays good old Cinderella. Shes brilliant, brunette, sweet innocent but with severe guts ... more

This is a classic film it really is... and finally its on DVD everywhere for the bargain bin priceof £5.99 and its worth every penny and more!

I used to have this on VHS when I was a kid at my Grandparents and by watch it I mean over & over & over! Now its one I can watch with my 7 year old sister... and she loves it too.

The tale is "a musical of the Cinderella story". So yes you have the Prince, Cinders and a wicked Stepmother, fairy Godmother etc etc you know the gist! Except maybe you dont... Cinderella never got sent to exhile in the story did she... Hmmmm! So expect a few twists.

Filmed in Austria (and pinewood studios) the landscapes are stunning the snowy vast hills in the opener are beautiful. The costumes are beyond brilliant and they just make the film even more magical!

The cast is brilliant. Gemma Craven, whatever happened to her, plays good old Cinderella. Shes brilliant, brunette, sweet innocent but with severe guts and though no modern Cinderella (Drew tried and failed in Ever After) shes not the sap you get in most films and think thats why my sister likes her so much.

Richard Chamberlain takes the part of Prince Edward and is ok. I think its a bit of an easy run for him, he has to sing a bit, dance a bit and look ok. All which he manages but the Prince is a pretty shallow character.

Annette Crosbie (no really) plays the hilariously rubbish Fairy Godmother down to tee. Shes very witty as hap hazard magical lady who never quite gets it right "spectacular always takes it out of me".

Another famous (ish) Brit is Sherie Hewson who plays one of the other sisters Palatine. Playing a cruel bitter bitchy sister works nd she out shines the other step sister.

But role of role is that of the Stepmother played by the icon Margaret Lockwood, who I love in Wicked Lady! She plays evil like no one can (though Anjelica Houston played this role superbly too.) But Margaret Lockwood is exceptional having this part doen toa fine art from her entrance from the funeral (dressed in bright red) to the sly evil later in the film. Pure brilliance.

There are other great parts in the film. adults will get the stupid humour of the Darager Queen, and the camp ridculousness of Montague played by the very camp Julian Orchard.

The only acting i didnt like was the King, Queen and Lord Chamberlain (but your not meant to like the later.)

Being a musical its filled with songs, the song list being...

- Two People
- Find A Mate
- Once I Was Loved
- Hohoho... What A Comforting Thing To Know
- Protocorigorically Correct
- Bride Finding Ball
- Suddenly
- Secret Kingdom
- When He Danced With Me
- Position & Positioning
- Tell Him
- I Cant Forget The Melody
- Secret Kingdom (Reprise)

The dance numbers 'Hohoho' (Richard Chamberlains dancing is like your dads lol), Position & positioning are amazing. The choreography is superb. Though all songs are good its without question Gemma Cravens heartbreaking ballads 'Once I Was Loved' and 'Tell Him' that stand out.

Thsi film has something for everyone. Its cute for kids, romantic for couples... its camp, showy, funny and above all its entertaining.

For me this film is the Shrek of the 80's. Ok its not about a green ogre or made with cartoons BUT its very funny for kids and adults and above all embodies the ideas of a true fairytale children should be brought up knowing!

Only downer - no extra's! But its ancient and the extras are probably lost. Its so fab you dont need them!

Buy this for your kids next birthday... if they hate it its cheap and hey, you'll love it guaranteed! 

...less