As someone who has become rather disillusioned with the story of Cinderella, I appreciate any film that puts a unique spin on it. My favorite example is 1998's "Ever After" with its feminist protagonist and more in-depth love story. I was happily convinced that that was the only version of "Cinderella" for me. Yet, after recently viewing "The Slipper and the Rose", I've decided this lush, 1976 musical comes a close second. Despite its daunting length of 143 minutes (parents of kids used to the breezy Disney cartoon may want to think twice about showing this to the little ones), "The Slipper and the Rose" is a beautifully photographed (filmed in Austria), immensely enjoyable lark of a movie that is a must for any fairy tale fan. It dares to address issues that other "Cinderella" adaptations fail to acknowledge: the futility of trying to find "the maiden who fits this slipper" (that's right, our prince doesn't find Cinderella in the way you'd expect), the hard knock life of a fairy godmother, and the difficulties of two people from different ranks in life to marry.
Strangely enough, "The Slipper and the Rose" is almost more about the prince than Cinderella. This isn't our grandparents' Prince Charming. Our handsome prince, Edward, isn't some vapid mannequin of a human being, but an idealistic, humorous, earthy, passionate young man with his own ideas of how to live his life and find his queen. He also loathes the idea of being "the grand prize" in the ball. Edward is brought exquisitely to life by Richard Chamberlain, who lends his softly handsome face and supple singing voice to this charming tale. Gemma Craven as Cinderella is hit or miss, but she's a pleasant singer and game dancer, and brings a serene maturity to the part. We are also treated to a perfectly smarmy wicked stepmother, a doltish, Mel Brooks-like king, and an eccentric, cranky fairy godmother. The songs are catchy and delightful, written by the Sherman brothers, best known for their work in "Mary Poppins". "Protocol-igorrically Correct" won't easily leave your head, and "When He Danced With Me" is sung by Craven with infectious joy and passion. This a fine adaptation of "Cinderella" full of surprises, romance, and even a layer of complexity. If you like unique re-tellings of your favorite fairy tales, "The Slipper and the Rose" is just the film for you.
Strangely enough, "The Slipper and the Rose" is almost more about the prince than Cinderella. This isn't our grandparents' Prince Charming. Our handsome prince, Edward, isn't some vapid mannequin of a human being, but an idealistic, humorous, earthy, passionate young man with his own ideas of how to live his life and find his queen. He also loathes the idea of being "the grand prize" in the ball. Edward is brought exquisitely to life by Richard Chamberlain, who lends his softly handsome face and supple singing voice to this charming tale. Gemma Craven as Cinderella is hit or miss, but she's a pleasant singer and game dancer, and brings a serene maturity to the part. We are also treated to a perfectly smarmy wicked stepmother, a doltish, Mel Brooks-like king, and an eccentric, cranky fairy godmother. The songs are catchy and delightful, written by the Sherman brothers, best known for their work in "Mary Poppins". "Protocol-igorrically Correct" won't easily leave your head, and "When He Danced With Me" is sung by Craven with infectious joy and passion. This a fine adaptation of "Cinderella" full of surprises, romance, and even a layer of complexity. If you like unique re-tellings of your favorite fairy tales, "The Slipper and the Rose" is just the film for you.