Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story (2001)
Jack Robinson is a wealthy business man with no time for anything but work. However, a family curse is looming over him - no man in the Robinson line ever lives past the age of thirty. With his upcoming birthday appears the remains of literally giant skeleton and a mysterious woman who claims to have once known the giant. Jack decides to go with her to another world where all is revealed to him along with the story of his ancestor, the original Jack and the Beanstalk. In order to save his own life and the world of the giants, Jack must right the wrongs of the past and return the magical harp and goose that lays the golden eggs to their rightful home.
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Did you people see the same film I saw?
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
I loved this movie....a must for young and old alike. Kind of restores your faith in everything good. This movie is like verification for the fairy tale. Purchase this movie and it will be loved and handed down for generations to come. It made me believe. Glued to my seat for the entire two night event. Glad it's on DVD so I can see it with my Grands. This is a great movie for family night in. A classic "Yes" ending. If you didn't see the two night event, you missed a once in a lifetime cliffhanger for night two. It made you record it if you were going to miss the second night. I can't imagine not seeing this movie and experiencing the remarkable way the story came together. It explains the gaps in the fairy tale. A must see and buy.
This is an excellent version following the consequences of Jack's actions many generations ago. Re-working of tales proves their existence as timeless classics. It is a terrible shame this is not available in book form. As a teaching aid this would be a fantastic opportunity to get children thinking of cause and effect. Criticising literature is always a difficult task. This version of events brings in another perspective of the tale, making Jack the villain, the dishonest thief making a good living from the riches of the 'Giant Kingdom', and the Giant being a kind hearted man who was originally simply protecting the riches of the kingdom preventing it from destruction. Does the author of the original tale intend the reader to interpret the story as such? Are these details omitted, leaving to reader assumption? Any comments would be gladly accepted.
Corporate head Jack Robinson is about to discover that fairytales are very real in this revisionist take on `Jack and the Beanstalk'.The film starts off well, with Jack (Matthew Modine) discovering that life isn't as straightforward as he thought. A nice atmosphere is created as a mysterious woman, Ondine (Mia Sara looking very cute), appears dropping dire hints as to his family's secret. Eventually Jack discovers the truth behind his wealth, and finds out that it is up to him to put things right.The `real world' segments of this movie tend to work best, as Jack struggles to come to terms with his discovery that fairy tales are true, with the `fantasy land' segments - mainly due to some variable effects - actually detracting from the sense of wonder. While most of the performances are fine (though Modine occasionally seems to be playing Scott Bakula), the guy playing the original Jack is fairly dire.What really makes the story work is the idea that fairy tales are history dressed up to be palatable to us (and of course not necessarily reliably related history), and the way that we might exploit magic if it were available to us.Well worth a watch for fantasy/fairy tale fans, or if you liked the superior `The 10th Kingdom'.
One of the best movies I have ever seen. Mia Sara's performance was absolutly specatular! I wish I could of been part of it's making. With its graphics it has simply excelled. Congrationlations to the Hansons for picking the best cast and orchestrationg a perfect movie.