EssenceStory Well Deserved Praise

Skunkyrate Gripping story with well-crafted characters

XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.

Ceticultsot Beautiful, moving film.

gwynhafar I absolutely love this film and am so happy to own the DVD of it.What a shame that this film was released so close on the heels of the other fairy film and thus was overlooked at the box office! Even today it holds up so well and both surprises and delights the viewer.We are transported into a thoroughly magical yet unpredictable realm to explore what might be possible or merely hoped for in the next world - a place "as real as Clacton on Sea" or a "state of mind" only. The pain, sorrow, hope, and fulfillment of the human journey are artistically offered to the viewer in a way that draws each human in.Every piece of the production complements the others. The cast is perfect - especially Toby Stephens in his portrayal of a vulnerable yet truly determined seeker of the truth. Some reviewers have remarked on the slow pace, but I love the time allotted for each event or revelation in the story. When I am given the time to feel what the character feels as the story is developing, I relish each twist and turn that much more! Oh, how I wish this could be re-released in theatres! This film deserves much greater recognition that it originally received. If you can only view or rent this film, do so. But if you are able to find a DVD to purchase - do so with utmost haste. You will not regret it! I, myself, have also just ordered the original book by Steve Szilagyi on which the script if based.

sol- Not at all a children's movie despite the fantasy premise, this is surprisingly quite a dark mystery tale, even if it is a bit too whimsical for its own good. The film puts a unique spin on ideas about fairies, and it has some things to say about believing what one wants to believe. Both the audio and visual effects and interesting, there is some nice gliding cinematography and the music is very fitting too. Still, the film fails to answer some pressing questions, some sequences add little to the product, and lastly towards the end it really drags, taking much too long to finish. But either way, it is one of the most creative, oddly fascinating British films that I have seen from the 1990s.

Malkavian_the_Martyr One of the best movies I have ever seen in my life and believe me I have seen quite many.With Beethoven's music this film becomes nearly perfect.It's shocking from start to end and what an end it is! If you can,do watch this movie and consider "love" and "life" once more.

Signet Far better than I expected and wrongfully neglected. A dark and profound examination of agnosticism and faith that is quite remarkable, with unexpected twists and shocks. I very much recommend this film, particularly the performance by Toby Stephens who is, in a word, amazing.