Small Screen Scenes: BBC Home Entertainment's Alice through the Looking Glass Recommended by Whom You Know Our Coverage Sponsored by Maine Woolens
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As a child, I always enjoyed the "Alice" stories by Lewis Carroll - they opened up a whole new, magical world! Throughout the years, I've seen a number of stage and screen adaptions, but I had never seen the popular Alice Through The Looking Glass, a made for TV adaption of the book by the same name. Happily, though, the BBC has just re-released it on DVD, so I finally got a chance to see it! In this version, Alice is played by 11-year-old Sarah Sutton, who brings just enough childlike wonder to the role, but is also sassy enough to stand up for herself when she finds herself pitted against difficult new acquaintances. After stepping through a mirror, she all of a sudden finds herself in an alternate world, which is dominated by a life-sized chess game. Alice is informed that in order to be crowned queen, she must traverse the entire chess board, and so she sets about doing so. In her journeys on the other side of the mirror, Alice meets all kinds of bizarre and amusing creatures, including twins Tweedledee (Raymond Mason) and Tweedledum (Anthony Collin), Humpty Dumpty (Freddie Jones), the Red Queen (Judy Parfitt), the White Queen (Brenda Bruce), and many more! It's a weird and somewhat surreal path, and highly entertaining every step of the way! Though the special effects are not nearly as fancy as the would be today, that just adds to the movie's charm - a true throwback to a simpler time. All of the actors do a wonderful job bringing their unique characters to life, and the 66 minutes just fly by. Truly a charming and enjoyable movie experience!
As with Alice in Wonderland, BBC succeeds in producing a beautiful series for young kids. Great instrumentals accompany playful set renderings. A kid will relate to Alice's zany adventure and giggle knowingly. Alice through the Looking Glass reminds me that you don't have to be a kid to believe flowers can talk. Yet, it sure is nice to know there are programs out there that reassure children they are not alone when they "imagine" everything around them is alive. The Series has intelligent dialogue (in very proper English). What a great antidote to the texting habits that await these kids in a few scant years!
Lewis Carroll delighted in the telling of tales, and we, generations later, have always benefitted from his talent. With this recent release of BBC Home Entertainment's "Alice Through the Looking Glass", we can catch up on some well loved characters from the other side of the mirror. The story is part of our cultural history, but, as different versions adapt their own productions accordingly, there may be some variations on the theme. This one is faithful to Mr. Carroll's text, and with the characters in the story set against a blue-screen (CSO), much imagination is allowed. Some of the sets are drawn, and some take on a theatrical set design format, but they all focus our attention on the actors, and the text. Much as Mr. Carroll would have done, it's all about the storyline here. This version was done in 1973, and although normally a sequel to "Alice in Wonderland", is a separate, and delightful production. Different casting, but same production values lend an air of continuity, and should be enjoyed as the tales unfold: one after the other. The characters in the production hold fast to the original line drawings put forth in the publication, by Sir. John Tenniel, and respectfully ring true. For fans of Alice, and all collectors of the many versions of the visual versions of the tale, this DVD is a must. Literary nonsense is allowed, and better, when it's on film!
For those of you who could not get enough of Alice, don’t worry the BBC has the sequel for you. Alice Through the Looking Glass, is a great portrayal of Lewis Carol’s classic Alice in Wonderland. This rendition has beautiful scenes and photography that will engage you in the story. This actress seems a bit younger which gives her tasks more of an overwhelming feat. This more vulnerable character still takes on moments of great bravery in the challenges that await her in her elaborate chess board. I forgot the many of the characters from the first book appear in the second. Tweedledee and Tweedledum are hilarious and have great chemistry as the silly twosome. So enjoy the sequel that is less known and celebrated with your family. My daughter has already watched it twice!
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In an alternate world, just on the other side of the mirror’s reflection, Alice finds herself in the middle of a life-sized chess game, where she encounters a variety of surreal scenarios and fantastical characters, including Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Humpty Dumpty, the Red Queen and others. To be crowned queen and return home, Alice must traverse all the ranks to the end of this massive chessboard—but will she make it? Featuring Judy Parfitt (Call the Midwife, Ever After) as the Red Queen and Doctor Who’s Sarah Sutton as Alice, this classic BBC production is sure to become a family favorite.
