The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (1999) (TV)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

John Henderson

Writer (WGA):

Peter Barnes (written by)

Release Date:

7 November 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Romance

Plot:

American businessman Jack Woods rents a cottage on the enchanted Emerald Isle which is occupied by a family of leprechauns...

Plot Keywords:

Fairy | Leprechaun | Friend | Banshee | Ballroom Dancing

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Randy Quaid	...	Jack Woods
Whoopi Goldberg	...	The Grand Banshee
Roger Daltrey	...	King Boric
Colm Meaney	...	Seamus Muldoon
Kieran Culkin	...	Barney O'Grady
Zoë Wanamaker	...	Mary Muldoon
Daniel Betts	...	Mickey Muldoon
Orla Brady	...	Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Caroline Carver	...	Princess Jessica
Frank Finlay	...	General Bulstrode
Phyllida Law	...	Lady Margaret
Michael Williams	...	Father Daley
Harriet Walter	...	Queen Morag
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Danny Babington	...	1st Fairy
Christopher Benjamin	...	Troll Manager
Tony Bluto	...	1st Troll Assistant
Neil Conrich	...	Pooka Captain
Arthur Cox	...	2nd Farmer
Tony Curran	...	Sean Devine
Fercal Fay	...	Irish Dancer
Jonathan Firth	...	Count Grogan
Simon Greiff	...	Chief Grococh
James Hayes	...	Innkeeper
J.D. Kelleher	...	Stallholder / 1st Oakshee
Clive Kneller	...	1st Fairy Flunkee
Gary Lydon	...	Dunlang the Dullahan / James Fitzpatrick
Conor McDermottroe	...	John Fitzpatrick
Edward A. McDermottroe	...	Fergus Flynn
Kevin McKidd	...	Jericho O'Grady
Nula McMannican	...	Irish Dancer
Clive Merrison	...	Chamberlain
Stephen Moore	...	Jentee
Anthony O'Donnell	...	Bert Bagnell
Christopher Schönning	...	Fairboy
Peter Serafinowicz	...	George Fitzpatrck
Owen Sharpe	...	Harry Fitzpatrick
David Shaw Parker	...	Leprechaun Captain

Also Known As:

Kampf der Kobolde (Germany)
Leprechauns (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

Germany:172 min (2 parts) | USA:139 min

Country:

UK | USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG | Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Ashridge Park, Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Hallmark Entertainment

Trivia:

Last film of Michael Williams.

Quotes:

Mickey Muldoon: [dreamily] I met this girl... Princess Jessica.
Seamus Muldoon: Princess Jessica - King Boric's daughter!
Mickey Muldoon: Oh, she's an angel, with the face!
Seamus Muldoon: Oh, no, no, no, no, no - listen - You leave her be! I don't want that sort of trouble! Mary Maldoon, this is your fault! Jack - will you tell him to listen to his father?
Jack Woods: Why? I never did.
Seamus Muldoon: Neither did I; that's not point!
Mary Muldoon: So he's told you, has he? You're his father, speak to him!
Seamus Muldoon: Mickey Maldoon, you listen to me: You stay away from that girl, or I'll disown you!
Mickey Muldoon: How can you disown me; you don't own anything.
Mary Muldoon: Don't speak to your father like that!
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Waterloo (1970/I)

Soundtrack:

We Can Fly Away

Charming M4TV Faerie Tale.

Although this does begin slowly, it picks up nicely and proceeds at a fair pace.

This is basically set as a commentary on the idiocy of war, having set the Leprechauns against the Faeries over nothing more consequential than race. Although forbidden by the Grand Banshee (Whoopie Golodberg), the fighting continues, as the Troopoing Faeries are the "natural enemies" of the Solitary Faeries. They have no pause to battle one another, as Fae Folk cannot die. Having no consequence to war, war seems a trivial thing to these folks. It is discussed with great dramatics, for to these wee ones, it is but a game of acting and playing, regardless of the caustic cause of the war. Once war is taken seriously, they still engage one another to a surprising effect, via the Grand Banshee, who is attempting to teach them to value their lives via reward and punishment.

Too bad humans do not learn from such drastic consequences.

Actually, this was quite enjoyable; featuring some great performances, an interesting story, and decent execution. The story is fashioned after a Romeo and Juliet setting, with good contrast between the two opposing sides, and a clearly defined relationship between the involved couple. Additionally, there is a simultaneous romance involving the humans Jack (Randy Quaid) and Kathleen (Orla Brady).

Endearing characters, enchanting story with solid morals, and magical execution make this a near-classic.

If you like this, you should try Disney's "Darby O'Gill and the Little People," "FairyTale, A True Story," or "Legend: The Ultimate Edition."

This rates an 8.4/10 from...

the Fiend :.