Watch Fairy Tale: A True Story

Fairy Tale: A True Story is a 1997 British-American fantasy drama film directed by Charles Sturridge. The movie is based on the true story of the Cottingley Fairies, which took place in the early 20th century in England. The movie revolves around two young girls, Elsie Wright (Florence Hoath) and Frances Griffiths (Elizabeth Earl), who take photographs of themselves with fairies in a nearby meadow.

The movie is set in 1917 in Yorkshire, England, during a time of great upheaval caused by World War I. Elsie and Frances are two young cousins who are fascinated by the concept of fairies. They become obsessed with capturing these magical creatures on film and spend countless hours trying to take pictures of them. One day, while playing in the nearby meadow, they discover a small stream and a garden full of wildflowers. It is here that they claim to have seen the fairies, and it is here that they take their famous photographs.

The photographs that Elsie and Frances take of the fairies become famous and capture the imagination of the world. They are a sensation, drawing attention from all over the world. Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole), the creator of Sherlock Holmes, is a believer in spiritualism and becomes interested in the girls' story. He offers to support them and publishes their photographs in his magazine, The Strand.

Throughout the movie, the girls face skepticism and ridicule from their parents and the public. They are accused of being frauds and attention-seekers, but they maintain that they are telling the truth. As the story progresses, the truth behind the fairies is revealed, and the movie becomes a tale of innocence, belief, and magic.

The movie is beautifully shot and captures the essence of the 1917 era. The setting, the costumes, and the production design all evoke the time period, creating a sense of authenticity that helps immerse the audience in the story. The use of sepia tones and muted color palettes, combined with the hauntingly beautiful musical score by Zbigniew Preisner, creates a dream-like atmosphere that enhances the movie's magical elements.

The acting in the movie is excellent, with standout performances from the two main child actors, Florence Hoath and Elizabeth Earl. They bring a sense of wonder and sincerity to their roles, making their characters easy to root for. Paul McGann is also excellent as Richard, Elsie's father, who is skeptical of the girls' story but ultimately comes to believe in the importance of imagination and wonder.

Overall, Fairy Tale: A True Story is a heartfelt and charming movie that celebrates the magic and wonder of childhood. It is a beautifully crafted film that tells the story of the Cottingley Fairies with great sensitivity and care. The movie's themes of belief, innocence, and imagination are universal and speak to audiences of all ages. Fairy Tale: A True Story is a wonderful movie that will leave viewers with a sense of wonder and awe.

Fairy Tale: A True Story is a 1997 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.