Small Screen Scenes: BBC Home Entertainment's Alice in Wonderland Recommended by Whom You Know Our Coverage Sponsored by Maine Woolens
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Who among us does not love Alice In Wonderland? From the time I was a little girl, I always enjoyed the story of the wide-eyed, curious girl who followed the rabbit down the rabbit hole and found herself in a crazy, upside-down world. I've seen a number of stage and screen adaptions, but I had never seen the classic BBC version from 1986 - until now! Just released on DVD, this rare gem is truly a joy to watch. For the entire 120 minutes, I felt like a kid again. The movie is broken down into four musical episodes, which lead us through Alice's journey in Wonderland. All of the classic, zany characters are there, from the Caterpillar (Roy Macready) to the Cheshire Cat (Michael Wisher) to the Mad Hatter (Pip Donaghy), and, of course, the terrifying Queen of Hearts (Janet Henfrey). Alice is winningly played by Kate Korning, and the supporting cast members all do a fantastic job of bringing their characters to life. I enjoyed the addition of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll, as a character, as well. The movie opens with Carroll (David Leonard) telling the tale of Wonderland to Alice and her sister. During the telling of the tale, Alice spies a white rabbit, follows him down a hole, and we are off and running! He remains in the movie, as a narrator, and at the end, Alice wakes up, revealing that her adventures in Wonderland had all been a dream. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable adaption of a classic tale.
BBC's Alice in Wonderland is a Series parents should acquire as part of their young children's DVD collection. It is not full of high tech effects to compensate for the lack of story or talent. Rather, it is simply presented, allowing Lewis Carroll's tale take center stage. The portrayal is made more kid friendly with catchy melodies, playful dialogue and characters that are life-like (yes, played by real actors.) Children will relate to this wonderful story and remain engaged. For ease of viewing, the Series is presented in episodes which need not be watched continuously as movies do. Alice is Wonderland is good, clean, healthy viewing for kids otherwise bombarded with difficult TV and video content.
From the very first "Alice", done as a silent film in 1903 to the madly popular Tim Burton version most recent on the market, Alice has been a case in study. Lewis Carroll and his tales of a White Rabbit and the land of the Red Queen have been retold, replayed, and re-visited in many formats. The BBC Home Entertainment group has just issued their 1986 version, with spectacular costumes, and all characters intact. I say this because this version is quite true to Mr. Carroll's text, and so invokes the true spirit of the tale he canted for those little girls so long ago one summer's day. With the characterizations done as anthropomorphic creatures, the lively tale takes on a different aspect. Not Disney, and almost a little dark, this Alice is a bit older (just the casting), and sports some well known names, if you're a fan of the British series "Dr. Who". Anglophiles will love this version, too, with the very British touches and the not too zany Mad Hatter. Rather normal, really, the Mad Hatter. Not at all as we have come to expect him to be here in the U.S. Usually, a British production will be rich in the Costume Department. Never sure of just how that comes to be, since American productions are not all that keen on allotting vast amounts of the budget to wardrobe. But thankfully, the costumes will delight, and this is a wonderful version to own and enjoy. Park some young, and not so young fans in front of a monitor some rainy afternoon, for tea, and the "curiouser" spirit will lift any mood.
The story of Alice in Wonderland in one of our families favorites. However, we were so disappointed with the newest version with Johnny Depp. Therefore, we were a little skeptical about watching the 2012 BBC’s version of Alice in Wonderland. It mostly follows the plot and original Disney version with a couple of differences that are unique and entertaining. As an Actress, Alice is wonderful. She is cunning, yet naïve and absolutely darling in her role. My favorite scene is the Mad Hatter tea party where the riddles seemed even sillier to me and my five year old daughter. I also really enjoyed the costumes especially the Queen of Hearts. A more traditional take yet still whimsical and elaborate. So get caught up in the madness of this great version of Alice in Wonderland.
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This classic BBC production of the family favorite tale begins one summer afternoon as Lewis Carroll regales his picnic companions with the tale of young girl named Alice who sees a fully-dressed, talking rabbit run past her. She follows the rabbit down a hole and enters a nonsensical world where it seems the normal rules of logic do not apply. In Wonderland, Alice participates in a winnerless race, alternates between being tiny and giant, hears riddles at a “mad” tea party, plays croquet with live flamencos, and attends a trial where the Knave of Hearts is accused of stealing the Queen’s tarts. Featuring Doctor Who’s Elisabeth Sladen as the Dormouse, and filled with memorable characters and songs, this is a version the whole family is sure to enjoy.
