Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- whimsical
- wistful
- gentle
- family movie night
- rainy day
What critics said
Critics found the film's sense of wonder and magic appealing enough to offset flaws in its scientific plausibility and execution.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Elsie and Frances regard the winged beings as normal while adults debate the photographic evidence.
The girls' photographs provoke excitement, skepticism, and investigation throughout England.
The girls' unquestioning belief contrasts with adult attempts to explain or authenticate what they see.
The Cottingley fairy photographs are connected to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini during the First World War era.
Films like FairyTale: A True Story, and why
The Secret Garden
shared family fantasy, child protagonists, period setting, and sense of wonder
The Little Princess
shared children’s fantasy, English period atmosphere, and gentle magical mystery
The BFG
shared family-friendly historical fantasy and belief in supernatural possibility
Movie Details
- Director
- Charles Sturridge
- Release Date
- 1997-10-24
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (126)
Cast
- Florence Hoath
- Elizabeth Earl
- Paul McGann
- Peter O'Toole
- Harvey Keitel
- Phoebe Nicholls
- Bill Nighy
- Tim McInnerny
- Joseph May
- Peter Mullan
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is FairyTale: A True Story about?
- Two English girls ignite a national debate when their seemingly ordinary fairy photographs attract investigators, celebrities, and believers.
- What is FairyTale: A True Story like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of FairyTale: A True Story as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is FairyTale: A True Story violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in FairyTale: A True Story.
- What did critics think of FairyTale: A True Story?
- Critics found the film's sense of wonder and magic appealing enough to offset flaws in its scientific plausibility and execution.
- Which films are like FairyTale: A True Story?
- Films with a similar feel include The Secret Garden, The Little Princess, and The BFG.
- How long is FairyTale: A True Story?
- FairyTale: A True Story runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch FairyTale: A True Story?
- In United States, FairyTale: A True Story is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
