Julesecosse I loved it. It is a fairy tale in every sense of the phrase. Thoroughly enjoyable.It is a charming tale of innocence with the horrific backdrop of the First World War. Like all fairy tales is not a totally happy story; but has several tragic elements.I was not keen on the fairies being shown; I thought that that part of the story could have been left to the imagination and would have made the story more interesting.I can't imagine many people disliking this movie as it has much to offer; but probably not one for the young.

kgny309 When it comes to family movies, it has to be thoughtful, entertaining and capable enough to hold on to the audience between age 1 and 101. "Fairy Tale: A True Story" takes that challenge and it really succeeds.In 1917 England, two girls, Elsie {Florence Hoath} and her cousin Frances {Elizabeth Earl} discover real fairies in a garden. Later, they take photographs to give proof that the fairies are real. Soon, they become famous when Arthur Conan Doyle {Peter O'Toole} publishes the photos in Strand magazine."Fairy Tale" has the conflict of Human vs. Fantasy. The conflict connects with the film's theme, which is you must believe it unless you see the real thing. The center of the film's story is Elsie and Frances. They're two girls who really see things as it happen. They grab our attention along with the story.Ernie Contreras's unpredictable script makes the characters feel as human beings, not as cardboard people. There's even a cliché in the film with a reporter trying to get the real story behind the photographs, but it never gets annoying. Plus, there's a subplot with Frances's missing father which is handled well.Hoath and Earl each give fine performances. The supporting roles are handled nicely with O'Toole as Doyle and Harvey Keitel as magician Harry Houdini.Zbigniew Preisner's score gives a dreamy feel to the proceedings and Shirley Russell's World War period costumes are luscious.Delightfully photographed and wonderfully acted, Charles Sturridge's film is a charming, perfect and winning family film. This is a movie come true for all ages.Rating: ****

emswan2004 I LOVE this movie. I first learned of this story while studying the history of photography in college. The story is true, except... well- watch the movie. :) While by today's standards we would not be fooled by the photos, still the healing impact this news event had on society back then after the horrors of WWI and the peoples' willingness to believe it are certainly understandable and wonderful. The film is perfectly cast and perfectly acted and expertly edited. The girls are delightful. All characters are well expressed, including the parents, and the stories within the story are so very real, and touching. The is a lovely looking movie, with special effects that look convincingly real and made me wish they were. :-D Gather your loved ones around you and ENJOY this movie together!

Maddyclassicfilms Fairytale A True Story tells the real life story of two cousins Elsie Wright(Florence Hoath)and Frances Griffiths(Elizabeth Earl)who in 1917 took some pictures that captivated the world and had England divided in discussion of their authenticity.Even more attention was drawn to the cousins and their home when two very high profile and well known figures took an interest.They are Sir Arthur Conan Doyle(Peter O'Toole)the author best known for creating the character of Sherlock Holmes and his close friend the illusionist Harry Houdini(Harvey Keitel).Conan Doyle believes the photos are genuine whereas Houdini is a little more sceptical.However tests on the photos proved that there had been no photographic trickery involved.To this day people are still divided about whether they are pictures of real fairies or a clever and very impressive hoax.With a great cast including Paul MGann as Elsie's father and Phoebe Nicholls as her mother who are grieving for their dead son(who claimed to have seen the fairies as well)moving and uplifting this is well worth watching.