IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > "The Storyteller" (1988)

"The Storyteller" (1988) More at IMDbPro »TV series

Videos
"The Storyteller" (1988): :  -- An old storyteller and his sarcastic dog tell obscure fairtales.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
8.9/10   977 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Creator:
Contact:
View company contact information for The Storyteller on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
Release Date:
15 May 1988 (UK) more
Genre:
Plot:
An old storyteller and his sarcastic dog tell obscure fairtales. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Archaia Comics enters Jim Henson deal
 (From digitalspy. 23 June 2009, 12:44 PM, PDT)

Muppets & Nw Film Center (Jim Henson Fest)
 (From Scorecard Review. 22 April 2009, 10:23 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Stories for grown up children.. more (25 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 2 of 11)

John Hurt ... The Storyteller (9 episodes, 1988)
Brian Henson ... Storyteller's Dog / ... (9 episodes, 1988)
more

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Jim Henson's The Storyteller (USA) (complete title)
more
Runtime:
225 min (9 episodes) | 25 min (9 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The number "3" features in every episode of the series: - Hans My Hedgehog - The Princess, after marrying the Grovelhog, learns he sheds his quills each night and she has to keep it a secret for 3 nights in order to break the curse. When she fails and he runs away, she searches the world and wears out 3 pairs of iron shoes in the process. - Fearnot - Fearnot comes from a family of 3 (father, brother and Fearnot) and was tricked by 3 bullies early in the story. It takes 3 encounters before he finally learns how to shudder (encountering the swamp creature, the half demon in the castle, and the thought of losing his sweetheart). - A Story Short - The Storyteller loses to the Beggar 3 times while playing Dice. He loses his money, his wife and his own self. - The Luck Child - Lucky survives 3 attempts on his life by the wicked king (thrown over a cliff, sent to the castle with a letter instructing the queen to kill him, and being sent to the Griffin's lair). - The Soldier and Death - The Soldier helps 3 beggars and is rewarded each time. He also captures 3 geese the first time he uses the Magic Sack. - The True Bride - The girl completes 3 tasks given to her by the troll (with the help of the Thought Lion). The Lion also gives her 3 walnuts with gifts hidden inside to barter with the Trollop. - The Three Ravens - After the Princess's 3 brothers are transformed into ravens, she has to keep silent for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days to break the curse. She also gives birth to 3 sons after marrying the Prince. - Sapsorrow - Youngest of 3 daughters, Sapsorrow commissions the making of 3 dresses to stall the arranged marriage with her Father. She then wears those 3 dresses on 3 different nights to woo the Prince. - The Heartless Giant - Youngest of 3 princes, Leo tries to find the Heartless Giant that he released. On the way, he helps 3 animals (bird, fish and wolf) who later aid him. When Leo tries to find where the Giant's heart is hidden, he finds out on the third try. more
Quotes:
The Storyteller: I am a teller of stories, a weaver of dreams. I can dance, sing, and in the right weather I can stand on my head. I know seven words of Latin, I have a little magic, and a trick or two. I know the proper way to meet a Dragon, I can fight dirty but not fair, I once swallowed thirty oysters in a minute. I am not domestic, I am a luxury, and in that sense, necessary. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#34.11)" (2005) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 8 people found the following comment useful.
Stories for grown up children.., 1 January 2006
Author: Merlin242 from Sweden

I remember watching this show as a kid. It made quite an impression on me, to be honest I was absolutely spellbound.

Quite recently I obtained a DVD-release and was somewhat amazed: It was just as good as I remembered it! This is not simply a bad case of nostalgia, this show is definitely something above the ordinary. We might have struck gold here..

The show is in nine stand alone episodes based on nine old folktales. (Mostly Russian or German) Not so "kidified" as most recent versions, just a little bit cruel, but always with a happy ending (with 2 exceptions)

The special effects (especially the creature effects ) still look really good even in this time of photo-realistic computer animation. If you take into account that this is a TV-production from 1987 the effects are absolutely outstanding! They give a much more living impression than many computer generated creatures I have seen of late.

The actor performances are maybe not always of academy award winning standard.. but I can live with that, and most probably so can you. Not all nine episodes are masterpieces either, but some come very close to being just that. "The Soldier and Death" is in my opinion one of the best and appears to be the first choice of most other reviewers. "Sapsorrow" (their version of Cinderella) is also worth mentioning. Maybe not for it's greatness but for the most enjoyable Disney reference. Very amusing.

When this was aired it had the added title: "Stories for grown up children" and that is a good description of what this is. Maybe not for the very youngest but perfect for anyone else. Especially anyone interested in folktales or anything fantasy-like.

Highly recommended.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (25 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "The Storyteller" (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Never Seen This infallibleangel
Grovelhog danny_lewis24
Soundtrack design_palacios
the soldier and death actor glorybr
Killer eels? Salamiwami
i think it's sad melanie_sheree
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
"The 10th Kingdom" The Princess Bride Stardust The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Excalibur
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Episode guide Full cast and crew Company credits
External reviews News articles IMDb TV section
IMDb Fantasy section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.

You may add a new episode for this TV series by clicking the 'add episode' button