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IMDb > FairyTale: A True Story (1997)
FairyTale: A True Story
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FairyTale: A True Story (1997) More at IMDbPro »

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FairyTale: A True Story (1997) -- Two children in 1917 take a photograph, believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Based on a true story.

Overview

User Rating:
6.2/10   2,127 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Charles Sturridge
Writers (WGA):
Albert Ash (story) &
Tom McLoughlin (story) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for FairyTale: A True Story on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 October 1997 (USA) more
Tagline:
Believe.
Plot:
Two children in 1917 take a photograph, believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Based on a true story. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
not really a children's film more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Harvey Keitel ... Harry Houdini
Jason Salkey ... James Collins

Peter O'Toole ... Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Lara Morgan ... Jean Doyle
Adam Franks ... Adrian Doyle
Guy Witcher ... Denis Doyle

Joseph May ... Houdini's Assistant
John Bradley ... Portly Gentleman
Anna Chancellor ... Peter Pan
Florence Hoath ... Elsie Wright
Phoebe Nicholls ... Polly Wright
Leonard Kavanagh ... Stage Manager
Elizabeth Earl ... Frances Griffiths
Paul McGann ... Arthur Wright
Anton Lesser ... Wounded Corporal
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Illumination (UK) (working title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG for brief mild language.
Runtime:
99 min
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The last film of 'Don Henderson'. more
Quotes:
Harry Houdini: Cover your ass!
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: Cover my what?
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Movie Connections:
Version of Photographing Fairies (1997) more
Soundtrack:
See the Conquering Hero Comes more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful:-
not really a children's film, 16 April 2004
Author: didi-5 from United Kingdom

The kind of movie that could almost persuade you that fairies were real. The story is that of the Cottingley Fairy photographs of the 1920s (taken by two Yorkshire girls who later revealed they were fakes) – those fooled included celebrated writer Arthur Conan Doyle (played here effectively by Peter O'Toole) while cynics included magician Harry Houdini (a charming role for Harvey Keitel, who manages not to swear and keep his clothes on for once).

The supporting cast are excellent – Paul McGann as the girls' dad/uncle; Tim McInnerny and Bill Nighy as journalist snoops; and Phoebe Nicholls as the girls' mother/aunt. The girls themselves are played with ease by Florence Hoath and Elizabeth Earl. Mel Gibson has a tiny cameo at the end (I don't want to spoil it by saying as what).

A thumbs-up, too, for the special effects achieved in this movie. The movie certainly is sentimental and does seem to come down on the side of the unknown and imply that the girls' claims were true, but it is a terrific family film I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for FairyTale: A True Story (1997)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Bill Nighy.... phosie
The same pix from a different POV Jessica-656
Whether you are a believer or a non-believer... blueirony
Here are the original pictures by the real girls..... tracy3185
I Live there! willthematrixhacker
fairytale soundtrack midsummer_moth
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Recommendations

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