Fairy Tale: A True Story

PG

Released Oct 24, 1997

1 hr. 39 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

List

56%

32 Reviews

Tomatometer

66%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After enduring family tragedies, young cousins Elsie (Florence Hoath) and Frances (Elizabeth Earl) spend time in rural Yorkshire, England, where they see fairies in a nearby meadow. They then snap pictures of the fairies, which suddenly gain international notoriety. Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) announces he's a believer. Magician Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), however, is a skeptic. Both join a media circus to see if the pictures indeed are genuine and if fairies are real.

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Critics Consensus

Believe -- Fairy Tale: A True Story's sense of wonder and magic may help overlook the science behind the film's flaws.

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StephenPaul C

The greatest 01 hour: and 39 minutes of fairies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/21/23

Full Review

andy h

It's got some boring grown up parts, but the kids moments are very cute.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

sean g

Great story, great Sunday movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

robert p

I love Fairy Tale, hopefully a true movie!!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

Not true and not at all interesting.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a fun movie with lovely scenery. I really enjoyed it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Charles Sturridge

Director

Florence Hoath

Elsie Wright

Elizabeth Earl

Frances Griffiths

Paul McGann

Arthur Wright

Phoebe Nicholls

Polly Wright

Peter O'Toole

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - Chalk Trick

1:15

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - The Burden of Proof

2:13

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - Do You Ever Tell Anyone?

1:55

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - Finishing the Fairy House

2:08

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - A Visit from the Fairies

2:13

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - Sir Arthur Meets the Girls

2:13

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - Do You Believe in Fairies?

1:46

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - It's My Daddy

1:48

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - The New Girl in Class

0:43

FairyTale: A True Story: Official Clip - I Can See Them!

0:54

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Derek Elley

Variety

Fairy Tale: A True Story is as light — and centerless — as a marshmallow.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Nick Bradshaw

Time Out

It's a respectable tale, but there's too much baggage for the fancy fully to take flight.

Aug 16, 2007

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Charming special effects and appealing heroines, and truly an ambitious meditation on the nature of fantasy and reality and growing up.

Rated: 4/5

May 22, 2003

Full Review

Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Trying to entertain adults and kids, this work falls through the cracks.

Rated: C

Jan 10, 2023

Full Review

Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

A sugared but poignant account...

Nov 7, 2022

Full Review

David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

Charles Sturridge's fantasy is too slow and complicated for very young viewers, but others will enjoy its wholesome story and detailed depiction of the World War I era, not to mention the fairyland scenes, which are truly magical.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 28, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

After enduring family tragedies, young cousins Elsie (Florence Hoath) and Frances (Elizabeth Earl) spend time in rural Yorkshire, England, where they see fairies in a nearby meadow. They then snap pictures of the fairies, which suddenly gain international notoriety. Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) announces he's a believer. Magician Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel), however, is a skeptic. Both join a media circus to see if the pictures indeed are genuine and if fairies are real.

Director: Charles Sturridge
Executive Producer: Paul Tucker
Screenwriter: Albert Ash, Tom McLoughlin, Ernie Contreras
Production Co: Icon Entertainment International
Rating: PG
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 24, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.1M
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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