Woodyanders Review of Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland (1966 TV Movie)

An extremely offbeat and interesting experimental adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic book

[8/10 · 18 March 2010]

Without a doubt one of the strangest adaptations ever done of Carroll's famous book, director Jonathan Miller's spare, yet moody and intriguing take on the weirdly haunting story eschews flashy stylistic flourishes in favor of a more low-key approach that's occasionally a tad static and slightly dull, but always provides a bold, inventive, and overall refreshingly different telling of the tale. The Alice featured herein is quite sullen and snooty; she's more of a passive spectator than an active participant in her journey through a decidedly dark and dour Wonderland populated by colorful eccentrics with more than a hint of danger to them. The cute Anne-Marie Mallik may not be especially charming or likable as Alice, but she effectively projects a supercilious attitude that makes her compelling just the same. However, it's the choice supporting cast of top-rate legendary British thespians that gives this odd program a considerable lift: Peter Sellers does well as an amusingly meek and dotty King of Hearts, Michael Redgrave likewise excels as a haughty Caterpillar, Leo McKern is a hoot in drag as the batty Duchess, Wilfrid Brambell is perfect as the fey White Rabbit, and John Gielgud is sublime as the Mock Turtle. The tea party sequence rates as a definite highlight, with stand-out turns by Peter Cook as a gloriously unhinged Mad Hatter, Wilfred Lawson as the drowsy Door Mouse, and Michael Gough as a supremely sinister stuttering March Hare. The slow druggy pace takes a little getting used to, but ultimately manages to work as the narrative becomes more progressively surreal and nightmarish, reaching a hysterical fever pitch with an out of control courtroom trial that degenerates into total bedlam (Alison Leggatt's fearsome and ruthless Queen of Hearts is genuinely frightening). Crisply shot in gorgeous black and white by Dick Bush (the artful fades and dissolves are particularly impressive), with a groovy sitar score by Ravi Shankar, this bona-fide curio is well worth seeing for those looking for a unique and unconventional interpretation of this often told story.