Watch Princess Caraboo

Princess Caraboo is a historical drama movie that was released in 1994. The film is directed by Michael Austin, and stars Phoebe Cates, Jim Broadbent and Wendy Hughes in the leading roles. The movie is based on a true story of a young woman who pretends to be a princess from an unknown far-off land, and how this charade brings out the best and worst in human nature.

The story is set in the early 19th century, in the town of Bristol, England. The movie begins with a young woman, who is found unconscious near the outskirts of Bristol. The woman, who speaks a language that no one understands, is taken to a local inn where she is looked after by the innkeeper and his wife. After waking up, the woman identifies herself as Princess Caraboo, a royal princess from the island of Javasu, and claims that she is suffering from amnesia due to her traumatic journey.

The story of the mysterious princess soon spreads around the town, and people start to take notice of her. She attracts the attention of a local bishop, who believes that she could be a great asset to the missionary cause in the South Seas. The bishop introduces Princess Caraboo to the wealthy Worrall family, who are intrigued by her exotic looks and royal heritage. The Worralls invite Princess Caraboo to stay with them, and soon she becomes the talk of the town.

As the princess becomes more popular, some people in the town begin to suspect that she might be a fraud. A journalist from London called Gutch, who is determined to uncover the truth about the princess, starts an investigation into her claim of royal heritage. Meanwhile, the Worralls’ daughter, Cynthia, becomes close to the princess and even starts to learn her language. However, not everyone in the Worrall family trusts Princess Caraboo, and her presence in their house leads to tensions and conflicts.

The central theme of the movie is the power of imagination and deception. The character of Princess Caraboo represents the idea that people can be whoever they want to be if they have enough imagination and courage. Her fraudulent persona attracts various people, some of whom are genuinely fascinated by her story, while others are simply looking to exploit her for their own gain. The movie explores the different motivations behind people’s reactions to the princess, and how their attitudes towards her change as they begin to uncover the truth.

Phoebe Cates gives a convincing performance as Princess Caraboo, bringing a sense of grace and dignity to the character. Jim Broadbent is equally impressive in his role as the bishop, who is torn between his desire to promote the missionary cause and his growing suspicions about the princess. Wendy Hughes is excellent as Mrs Worrall, who is initially fascinated by the exotic princess, but later becomes disillusioned and resentful towards her.

The movie is beautifully shot and captures the atmosphere of 19th-century England with meticulous attention to detail. The costumes and sets are particularly impressive, helping to transport the audience to a different era. The film’s soundtrack, which features a mix of traditional and modern music, adds to the overall cinematic experience. The pacing of the movie is slow but steady, allowing the plot to unfold in a natural and unforced way.

In conclusion, Princess Caraboo is a well-acted and well-directed movie that tells a fascinating story of deception and human nature. The film is both entertaining and thought-provoking, and is a must-see for anyone who is interested in historical drama or the psychology of deception. Overall, it’s a great movie that deserves to be more widely known and appreciated.

Princess Caraboo is a 1994 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.