Jim Henson's The Storyteller
A Family Television Show That Dramatizes Old European Folktales
Aug 11, 2009
Jim Henson’s The Storyteller television series dramatizes old European folktales for the enjoyment of children and adults alike. With the use of elaborate sets and costumes, Jim Henson’s creature shop, and matte paintings, each episode brings a different story to life. Written by Anthony Minghella, each tale is narrated in a traditional storytelling style by the storyteller John Hurt, who sits by the fire with his dog, voiced by Brian Henson.
All nine episodes can be bought in a complete set or in a combined collection with Jim Henson’s The Storyteller Greek Myths television series.
Hans My Hedgehog
Starring Ailsa Berk (Grovelhog), Eric Richard (Farmer), Maggie Wilkinson (Farmer’s Wife), David Swift (King), Helen Lindsay (Queen), Abigail Cruttenden (Princess), Jason Carter (Man)
When a young hedgehog-boy feels rejected by the town and his father, he goes to live alone in the woods. He helps a king find his way home and in return is given the princess’s hand in marriage. She soon learns that only her love can save him from his enchantment.
Fearnot
Starring Reece Dinsdale (Fearnot), Willie Ross (Tinker), Frederick Warder (Half Man), Gabrielle Anwar (Lidia), Peter Jonfield (Fearnot’s Father)
Fearnot wants to stop disappointing his father with his idiotic ways, so he sets out to learn about fear. But even a lake monster and a haunted castle cannot give him the shivers. It is only when he hears that his true love is dying that he finally learns what fear is.
The Luck Child
Starring Steven Mackintosh (Lucky), Philip Jackson (King), Pauline Moran (Queen), Catherine Bradshaw (Princess), Robert Eddison (Ferryman)
When a prophecy foretells the birth of a peasant child who will one day be king, the king steals the child and tries to kill him. But this Luck Child survives, and with the help of luck is able to marry the princess, outwit a griffin, and fulfill the prophecy.
The Soldier and Death
Starring Bob Peck (Soldier), Stuart Richman (Fiddling Beggar), Walter Sparrow (Card Trick Beggar), John Franklyn-Robbins (Tzar), Ishia Bennison (Tzar’s Wife)
With the help of a magic sack into which anything commanded must go, a soldier is able to defeat a castle full of devils and death itself. But he soon realizes that a life without death has a terrible price.
The True Bride
Starring Jane Horrocks (Anja), Sean Bean (Gardener Prince), Alun Armstrong (Troll), Sandra Voe (Troll’s Daughter)
A magic lion saves the young girl Anja from servitude to an evil troll and gives her a palace. But when the troll’s daughter steals Anja’s true love, she must use the lion’s gifts to prove which bride is the true bride.
The Three Ravens
Starring Miranda Richardson (Witch Queen), Jonathan Pryce (King), Joely Richardson (Princess), Robert Hines (Prince), Richard Butler (Second King)
When a widowed king marries an evil witch, the new queen makes magic shirts for the three young princes that turn them into ravens. Their sister can only break the enchantment by staying silent for three years, but when her own children begin to disappear she is tempted to break her promise.
Sapsorrow
Starring Alison Doody (Sapsorrow), James Wilby (Prince), Jennifer Saunders (Bad Sister 1), Dawn French (Bad Sister 2), Geoffrey Bayldon (King)
In order to avoid an arranged marriage, Princess Sapsorrow covers herself with fur and feathers so she can escape the castle. A few years later in a faraway kingdom, the prince does not realize that the disgusting scullery maid is really the disguised beauty with whom he has fallen in love.
The Heartless Giant
Starring Frederick Warder (Giant), Elliot Spiers (Leo), Gemma Jones (Queen), Nicholas Selby (King), Richard Lintern (Prince 1), Simon Adams (Prince 2)
When a young prince is tricked into helping an evil giant escape the dungeon, he must use cunning to find out where the giant’s heart is so he can defeat him and free his brothers.
A Story Short
Starring Bryan Pringle (Cook), John Kavanagh (Beggar), Brenda Blethyn (Storyteller’s Wife), Richard Vernon (King), Sarah Crowdon (Queen)
As punishment for stealing food from the castle, the Storyteller must tell the royal family one story each day for a year. But on the last day he finds that he has run out of stories. That’s when a beggar comes and takes everything from him, leaving him with one last story.
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